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...
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Pennsylvania Criminal Law Blog
Pennsylvania drug trafficking charges
Pennsylvania can impose drug trafficking charges for the manufacture, sale or distribution of a controlled substance. Offenders typically receive felony charges for even the first offense. Review the types of drug trafficking crimes in Pennsylvania and the state's...
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...
Negotiating settlements in criminal cases to preserve a professional license
When you are a doctor or nurse, you spend years working to obtain your professional license. You work just as hard to build your career and practice and serve the needs of your patients. You don’t want a DUI conviction or domestic violence offense to take away your...
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...
The problem of illegal traffic stops on Pennsylvania highways
Getting pulled over is an unfortunate fact of life in Pennsylvania. In 2019 alone, Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) were involved in close to 1 million traffic stops. In many cases, the reasons for the stops were about as mundane as you can get: an unlit license plate,...
The pandemic and its impact on crime in America
Coronavirus is creating significant hardship for Pennsylvania and the rest of the country. While it's taken people's lives and jobs, it's also had effects on other facets of American life you might not think of at first – such as the country's crime rate. Cities large...
What impact does bail reform have?
Pennsylvania has many residents awaiting release on bail. In 2015, the state’s pretrial incarceration rate was the ninth highest in the country. This standing stems from the inability of many defendants to post funds, since they often lack the means to do so. Yet, the...
Understanding Pennsylvania’s marijuana laws
American attitudes toward marijuana have changed. 47 out of 50 states – including Pennsylvania – have legalized it for medical purposes. And marijuana is legal for recreational use in 11 states as well. But in Pennsylvania, recreational use remains a criminal offense....