• posted: Apr. 30, 2023
• Matthew R. Zatko
• Criminal Defense
• felony,  driver's license suspension,  Pennsylvania Vehicle Code

Losing your privilege to drive is a serious consequence of conviction of certain offenses. This can affect your entire life from social outings to your ability to get to work. Read More

• posted: Mar. 30, 2023
• Matthew R. Zatko
• Criminal Defense
• warrantless seizure,  handgun

Pennsylvania drivers stopped for traffic offenses are always in peril of police intruding on their right of privacy in their vehicles. Even though police generally require a warrant or probable Read More

• posted: Dec. 20, 2022
• Matthew R. Zatko
• Criminal Defense
• criminal law,  litigation,  negotiation

If you’ve been charged with a criminal offense, there is a lot at stake. The possibilities of jail, fines, other penalties and a criminal record are all real concerns. You Read More

• posted: Aug. 20, 2022
• Matthew R. Zatko
• Criminal Defense
• Racial Profiling,  Criminal Profiling,  Fourth Amendment

Racial profiling is one of the more insidious practices used by law enforcement. Police can legitimately fight crime using “criminal profiling” — that is, looking for suspects based on characteristics Read More

• posted: Apr. 20, 2022
• Matthew R. Zatko
• Criminal Defense
• marijuana,  illegal search,  possession,  medical marijuana

The distinctive odor of marijuana smoke or residue is a strong indicator of possession of the drug, whether on a person, in a vehicle or on physical premises. That odor Read More

• posted: Jan. 17, 2022
• Matthew R. Zatko
• Criminal Defense
• concealed carry,  constitutional carry,  premit

On December 2, 2021, Governor Tom Wolf vetoed a bill that would have allowed any resident of Pennsylvania to carry a concealed firearm without undergoing a background check or obtaining Read More

• posted: Jan. 13, 2022
• Matthew R. Zatko
• Criminal Defense
• misdemeanors,  felonies,  theft crimes,  retail theft

Theft is generally defined as taking someone else’s property without their permission and with the intent to permanently deprive them of that property. In Pennsylvania, common forms of theft include Read More

• posted: Jan. 13, 2022
• Matthew R. Zatko
• Criminal Defense
• tiktok,  vandalism,  criminal trespass,  criminal mischief

The emergence of TikTok as a popular social media hangout for adolescents has led to unlawful behavior in response to “challenges” posted by other users. School-aged individuals have been recording Read More

• posted: Dec. 15, 2021
• Matthew R. Zatko
• Criminal Defense
• criminal defense,  law enforcement,  warrant

Learning you are wanted by law enforcement is an unwelcome discovery, but ignoring the warrant and hoping it just goes away is not a wise choice. Warrants never expire and Read More

• posted: Nov. 15, 2021
• Matthew R. Zatko
• Criminal Defense
• background check,  concealed carry,  point-of-purchase

Legislation now moving through the state House of Representatives and Senate would make it easier for qualified Pennsylvanians to carry concealed firearms. Under current law, individuals must go through a background Read More