Articles

The Expanded Use of Expert Witness Testimony in Pennsylvania Courts Prior to 2012, almost every witness testifying in a criminal matter actually had some involvement in the case.  The witness could’ve been the complainant, police, the accused, a nurse or doctor, or a witness.  Then came section 5920 of Title 42, on June 29, 2012.  […]

On May 23, 2023, the constitutionality of SORNA was argued, once again, before the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania in Commonwealth v. Torsilieri. But we still don’t have a decision from the Court.  What is taking so long?  It’s simple.  The issue is complex and the ramifications affect thousands of Pennsylvanians.  Let’s start by talking about […]

A Chester County Judge has determined that SORNA is unconstitutional on many grounds in a blockbuster opinion! In Commonwealth v. George Torsilieri the Pennsylvania Supreme Court had remanded the case back to the Chester County Court for a determination of how five factors from Kennedy v. Mendoza-Martinez applied to SORNA. The Court struck down the […]

The Pennsylvania Supreme Court, in Commonwealth v. Rogers (just decided) held that an accused rapist may not offer evidence of the victim’s past prostitution convictions due to the rape shield statute, which forbids accused rapists from offering evidence of a victim’s past sexual conduct. The purpose of the rape shield statute is to stop defendants […]

The Judiciary Committee of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives has voted to move two pieces of legislation concerning victims of sexual assault, HB 962 (criminal statute of limitations) and HB 963 (civil statute of limitations), to a vote by the House. The House Bills together are called the Pennsylvania Hidden Predator Act. The House overwhelmingly […]