Articles

Broader Expungement of Criminal Records Coming to PA

Filed under: Criminal Law, News by Contributor @ February 1, 2016

Governor Tom Wolf today signed into law Senate Bill 166 which will expand the range of crimes which may be expunged from criminal records. While this is good news for many within the Commonwealth, the law will not go into effect until 270 days from now. This means that courts will begin to process the […]

Continue reading » Leave a comment

Drones and The Overcriminalization of America

Filed under: Criminal Law, News by Contributor @ January 3, 2016

In America legislators are elected by voters. The majority of political candidates run on a platform of being tough on crime. Candidates often try to demonstrate to constituents that they are tough on crime by proposing legislation criminalizing something. This creates a ratchet type system of punishment in America. As the ratchet turns punishment for […]

Continue reading » Leave a comment

Attorneys Challenge Attorney General Office’s Authority To Prosecute Their Cases

Filed under: Criminal Law, News by Contributor @ December 29, 2015

Pennsylvania Attorney General Kathleen Kane’s office was confronted today with a new legal issue which may have far-reaching implications for law enforcement official statewide. Attorneys for three criminal defendants charged with child pornography argued that as a result of the suspension of Kane’s license to practice law this fall, her current policy of delegating legal […]

Continue reading » Leave a comment

Battle Brewing Over Reincarnation of Mandatory Minimum Sentences in PA

Filed under: Criminal Law, Drug Crimes, News by Contributor @ December 21, 2015

House Bill 1601, sponsored by Rep. Mike Vereb (R-Montgomery) and Rep. Ron Marsico (R-Dauphin) has passed the House with a vote of 143 to 54. The Bill was referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee on October 30, 2015. There is opposition to the passage of the bill in the Pennsylvania Senate which is currently seeking […]

Continue reading » Leave a comment

Police Do not Need a Warrant to Search or Seize your vehicle From Your Driveway

Filed under: Criminal Law, News by Contributor @ December 16, 2015

In an matter of first impression, the Pennsylvania Superior Court has decided in the case of Commonwealth v. Loughnane that if police have probable cause to search or seize a vehicle parked in a driveway at a private residence, they do not need to first obtain a warrant before conducting a search of that vehicle. […]

Continue reading » Leave a comment