Pennsylvania Criminal Law Blog
Decades have passed since PA prosecutors used the death penalty
In earlier years, capital punishment was fairly common. People were often put to death as part of their punishment for crimes committed. Sometimes this even took place without a fair trial and with no repercussions for the mob involved. When these incidents took...
New Pennsylvania bill aims to legalize recreational marijuana use
While medical marijuana has been legal in Pennsylvania since 2016, recreational marijuana use is still considered a drug crime in the commonwealth and can go on offender's records as a felony. A new bill introduced into the House of Representatives proposes to change...
Can you face drug charges without actual possession?
When it comes to a drug charge, the prosecutor has to prove that you possessed, owned or somehow controlled drugs. Drug possession comes in two different types. The first type of drug possession is actual possession, whereas the other is constructive possession....
Commonly confused crimes
There are certain crimes that get confused in people's minds, either because they are similar to one another or they often occur together. For example, someone who commits battery often also commits an assault, so people often use one term when they are actually...
Criminal identity theft and traffic violations
Identity theft is and has been on the rise for quite some time. However, whereas most people know about and take measures to protect against the most common forms of identity theft, such as debit and credit card identity theft, many are unaware of the lesser known...
DUI and license suspension
Driving under the influence in Pennsylvania could result in the temporary suspension of your license. License suspensions for DUI range from 12 to 18 months. The question of whether license suspension can take place depends on two factors: your blood alcohol...
Too many points may suspend your driving privileges
When a police officer hands you a traffic ticket, you might think that fighting it in court is not a worthwhile endeavor. You want to go on with your life and contesting a traffic ticket might seem like an annoyance. But you might feel differently if you recognize...
Understanding the impact of vandalism
Pennsylvania law takes crimes of vandalism seriously. This may come as a surprise to some. It may be a particular shock to youth, who often think of vandalism as "small-time crime". Some believe it is not easy to catch vandals. Others think that even if convicted, the...
IIDs may be a problem more than a solution
If you have been placed under arrest and charged with a drunk driving offense, you may well feel scared and unsure of what to expect next. With good reason, you will be wondering what type of impact these events may have on your life. For many people, the potential...
What is Pennsylvania’s Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition program?
Having a clean criminal record is one of the most important things you can have when applying for a job, attempting to get housing or wanting to further your education. Even a one time running with the law, such as disorderly conduct charge, can prevent you from...
