• 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: Feb. 21, 2023
• Matthew R. Zatko
• DUI
• felony,  Deana's law,  BAC level

Pennsylvania drivers need to be wary of a newly enacted law that increases the level of crimes and imposes stiffer penalties for repeat DUI offenses.   The legislation, known as Deana’s 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: Nov. 20, 2022
• Matthew R. Zatko
• Sex Crimes
• close-in-age exemption,  statutory rape

Sexual offenses are serious crimes. If convicted, the defendant faces heavy consequences such as lengthy prison sentences, heavy fines and lifelong registration as a sex offender. And when the victim Read More

• posted: Oct. 20, 2022
• Matthew R. Zatko
• Traffic Offenses
• license plate obstructions

Some police stops are nothing more than pretexts. You are pulled over for some minor traffic violation that allows the officers to find cause to search the car for evidence Read More

• posted: Sep. 20, 2022
• Matthew R. Zatko
• Drug Crimes
• Criminal Defense,  Fentanyl,  Opioid Possession

Fentanyl abuse is taking lives and devastating communities throughout the country. While this opioid is used for legitimate medical treatment (by prescription only), the illegal use of Fentanyl has increased 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: Jul. 20, 2022
• Matthew R. Zatko
• Defamation
• Litigation,  Wiretapping

The Johnny Depp-Amber Heard defamation trial, which occupied public attention for weeks, finally came to an end on June 1. While the public focused on the salacious details of the Read More

• posted: Jun. 20, 2022
• Matthew R. Zatko
• Sex Crimes
• juvenile court,  prosecution

In Pennsylvania, the juvenile courts have jurisdiction over people under 18 years old who are suspected of criminal conduct. A minor who is determined to be a juvenile delinquent faces Read More

• posted: May 20, 2022
• Matthew R. Zatko
• DUI
• drunk driving,  breathalyzer test

If police pull you over on the suspicion that you are intoxicated or under the influence of drugs, they have the right to take certain actions as part of their Read More