Bill Would Restore Mandatory Minimum Gun Sentences in Pennsylvania
- posted: Oct. 15, 2021
- Criminal Defense
In 2015, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruled that mandatory minimum sentences for most offenses, including those relating to firearms possession, are unconstitutional. However, a proposal by a freshman representative from Read More
Self-Defense Argument Leads to Dismissal of Assault Charges in Bedford County Activist Shooting
- posted: Jul. 15, 2021
- Criminal Defense
A recent case in Bedford County, Pennsylvania shows the effectiveness of a justification defense in a criminal assault prosecution. My firm won dismissal of the most serious charges faced by Read More
Pennsylvania Supreme Court Restricts Vehicle Searches by Police
- posted: Apr. 14, 2021
- Criminal Defense
A recent Pennsylvania Supreme Court decision limits the power of police to search vehicles after pulling them over. Unless they have a warrant, officers must demonstrate both probable cause and Read More
Is Pennsylvania on the Cusp of Legalizing Recreational Marijuana?
- posted: Mar. 15, 2021
- Criminal Defense,  Drug Crimes
It’s been less than five years since Gov. Tom Wolf signed the bill that legalized medical marijuana and just over two years since the first Pennsylvania dispensaries opened. In that Read More
Bill Cosby Case Focuses on Admissibility of “Prior Bad Acts” Testimony
- posted: Feb. 15, 2021
- Criminal Defense
The Pennsylvania Supreme Court is deciding whether five witnesses in Bill Cosby’s 2018 sexual assault trial should have been barred from testifying about “prior bad acts” that may have influenced Read More
Federal Prosecutors Charging Protestors with Crimes Under Civil Rights-Era Law
- posted: Jan. 15, 2021
- Criminal Defense
Federal prosecutors in Philadelphia and other large cities around the country have revived a little-used criminal law from the 1960s civil rights era to charge protestors with obstructing law enforcement Read More
When Can Deadly Force Be Used in Defense of a Home or Other Place of Security?
- posted: Dec. 15, 2020
- Criminal Defense
One nightmare everyone dreads is being awakened by the sound of breaking glass or other unexpected noise coming from downstairs and encountering an intruder. In that scenario, what can you Read More
Why Would the Police Pull You Over When You Didn’t Do Anything Wrong?
- posted: Nov. 15, 2020
- Criminal Defense
You are driving on a Pennsylvania highway and you notice a police car following you, even though you’re not speeding, driving erratically or otherwise violating traffic laws. Suddenly, the police Read More
What Types of Charges Can Get You on the Sex Offender Registry, and for How Long?
- posted: Oct. 15, 2020
- Criminal Defense
Pennsylvania’s Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA), popularly known as Megan’s Law, has been on the books since 1995. SORNA requires that certain designated adult and juvenile sex offenders Read More
Good People Make Bad Decisions: Why ARD Is Designed for You
- posted: Sep. 15, 2020
- Criminal Defense
A person who has gone their entire life without getting into legal trouble might one day get behind the wheel after too many drinks, use recreational marijuana or make another Read More