Articles

What number DUI is it?

Filed under: Criminal Law, DUI, News Tags: by Liz @ October 28, 2009

The Pennsylvania Supreme Court issued an extremely important opinion on October 23, 2009 in the matter of CW v. Haag, which is attached to this blog.  Most people realize that with second and subsequent DUI’s, the sentences and penalties increase.  But what happens when you get popped with two DUI’s in a very short time?  […]

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RRRI or How to avoid the parole board: Recidivism Risk Reduction Incentive

Filed under: Criminal Law, News Tags: by Steven F. Fairlie @ September 27, 2009

RRRI is a new program that will shorten the state sentences of prisoners in Pennsylvania

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Preliminary Breath Tests (PBT) ruled inadmissible in PA

Filed under: Criminal Law, DUI, News Tags: by Steven F. Fairlie @ September 12, 2009

PBT inadmissible in Pennsylvania Underage Drinking and DUI or DAI cases unless properly published, calibrated, and tested for accuracy

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Scientific Evidence… how reliable is it? And what do we do now?

Filed under: Criminal Law, News Tags: by Liz @ August 18, 2009

No doubt, anyone who is reading this has read about or seen news coverage of individuals being released from incarceration through the use of DNA evidence that exonerated that individual.  It is a true case of wrongful conviction and is becoming more common.  These cases raise the question of the reliability of scientific evidence presented at trial.  […]

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Polygraph Examination Declared Unconstitutional

Filed under: Criminal Law, News Tags: by Liz @ August 3, 2009

New technology has allowed for new treatment methods for probationers, including the use of polygraph examinations.  When used appropriately, they can be a useful tool to help the reformation of offenders, especially sex offenders.  But, what happens when the polygraph examination goes too far?  What happens when it is simply a tool to gather information […]

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