Most offenses for driving while intoxicated result in misdemeanor charges. However, DUIs that meet certain conditions can result in felony charges. When does a DUI offense become a felony? When a DUI may be a felony Pennsylvania Act 153 established the criteria for...
Criminal Defense
Criminal Defense
What to know about the use of excessive force by police in Pennsylvania
Policing issues have taken front and center stage in the United States in recent years. The roles and accountability of police officers and the civil rights of an accused individual have been hotly debated and controversial topics. If you have had an excessive force...
Facing serious assault charges in Pennsylvania
Facing serious assault charges requires detailed knowledge about how Pennsylvania handles these crimes. Even a fight at the bar can escalate to a felony depending on the circumstances of the incident. Review the difference between simple and aggravated assault in...
3 times you should not take a plea deal
Pennsylvania's criminal courts can be extremely crowded places, as prosecutors regularly bring charges for even minor infractions. To avoid lengthy and costly trials, prosecutors often pursue plea deals. In fact, 95% of felony convictions in the U.S. come from guilty...
3 common defenses to embezzlement
Embezzlement occurs if you take the personal property of someone else when he or she entrusts it to you. In most cases, embezzlement involves the misappropriation of money. According to the Legal Information Institute, you can commit embezzlement whether you keep the...
Should you accept a plea bargain or go to trial?
If you are facing criminal charges, you might find yourself wondering about possible defense options. The decisions you make now can have a profound effect on the outcome of your criminal case. Accepting a plea bargain may seem like a good criminal defense strategy,...
Understanding identity theft charges in Pennsylvania
A conviction for identity theft can have serious repercussions in Pennsylvania. Depending on the amount of resulting loss and other factors, the state may charge this crime as either a misdemeanor or felony. Review Pennsylvania's categorization of identity theft...
Invoking your constitutional right to remain silent
Before officers perform a custodial interrogation, they must inform suspects of their constitutional rights. An important one of these is your right to remain silent. This right comes from the Fifth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which protects you...
Expungement of marijuana crimes could come to Pennsylvania someday
As anyone with a criminal record knows, a conviction in the past does not stay in the past. It can follow you around for years. Whether you are applying for a job, a bank loan or a home to rent, it comes back. Any time you must disclose your record or be subject to a...
Post-conviction relief can help Pennsylvanians behind bars
Getting wrongfully convicted of a serious crime can feel like your fate is sealed. After months of taking on the criminal justice system and fighting for your freedom, you have been sentenced to prison. The good news is, you do not have to accept being wrongly...