• posted: Oct. 15, 2021
• Matthew R. Zatko
• Criminal Defense
• federal charges,  mandatory minimum sentences,  violent crime

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

• posted: Jul. 15, 2021
• Matthew R. Zatko
• Criminal Defense
• activist,  shooting

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

• posted: Apr. 14, 2021
• Matthew R. Zatko
• Criminal Defense
• automobile searches,  exigent circumstances,  search warrants

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

• posted: Mar. 15, 2021
• Matthew R. Zatko
• Criminal Defense,  Drug Crimes
• legalization,  recreational marijuana,  senate bill 350

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

• posted: Feb. 15, 2021
• Matthew R. Zatko
• Criminal Defense
• bill cosby,  prior bad acts

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

• posted: Jan. 15, 2021
• Matthew R. Zatko
• Criminal Defense
• civil disobedience act,  civil disorder charge

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

• posted: Dec. 15, 2020
• Matthew R. Zatko
• Criminal Defense
• castle doctrine,  stand your ground

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

• posted: Nov. 15, 2020
• Matthew R. Zatko
• Criminal Defense
• interdiction programs,  pretextual stop

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

• posted: Oct. 15, 2020
• Matthew R. Zatko
• Criminal Defense
• lifetime placement,  Megan's Law,  sex offenders

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

• posted: Sep. 15, 2020
• Matthew R. Zatko
• Criminal Defense
• Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition

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