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A distinguished lawyer call our office this morning to discuss a previous post on summary offenses, where the reader could interpret our post to mean that summary offenses are not crimes. He stated that under Commonwealth v. Matty, 619 A.2d 1383 (Pa. Super. 1993), certain summary offenses are…
As a defense attorney in Philadelphia, I receive a great many questions regarding summary appeals, so I thought I should write about summary appeals as a review. Understand what is written in this post is not meant to include Philadelphia county. In Philadelphia county my answers would…
The law grants immense power to police officers. Under certain circumstances, they have the authority to detain you, to arrest you, and to search your person, your home, your car, and your belongings. In some situations, they even have the right to use deadly force against…
Pennsylvania law permits police officers to use force against citizens while acting in the line of duty. While making an arrest, for instance, an officer “is justified in the use of any force which he believes to be necessary to effect the arrest and of any force…
From 1941 to 1945, the government used posters to remind citizens that careless comments, no matter how innocent or unassuming they may be, could prove useful to the enemy. One World War II poster showed a fish with his mouth open, about to be hooked by an…
In Pennsylvania, there were 1,137 fatal vehicle crashes in 2017, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. In 314 of these deaths, alcohol impairment played a role—28 percent of the total. Across the U.S., there is one death every 50 minutes from a crash related to…
Felony convictions are serious, and they come with serious consequences, both immediate and long-term. Beyond fines, jail time, and a permanent criminal record, felony convictions may also negatively impact your ability to secure employment, find housing, take out federal loans, and more. Regulatory Restrictions Individuals…
In 2014, Philadelphia decriminalized marijuana, a major step toward criminal justice reform. And just like that, an action that once warranted misdemeanor criminal charges, up to 30 days in jail, and a $500 fine became a civil offense that only involves a citation and $25 fine….
A recent statistical review of reportable motor vehicle crashes in Pennsylvania tells us that 28 alcohol-related traffic accidents, involving 18 reportable injuries, occur every day in the state. Fortunately, state and local governments have focused on improving traffic safety, and as a result, the number of fatalities is…
In Pennsylvania, citizens’ have substantial rights when pulled over while driving. One of a citizen’s most important rights is the right to remain silent, as explained by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). To make sure you properly protect your rights a police officer pulls you over,…
