Blog
- The Most Common Crimes Around the Holidays
Dec 5, 2018
The holiday season is universally anticipated as a time of joy, family gatherings, generosity, and celebration. Yet, beneath the festive lights and seasonal cheer, the period from late November through the New Year presents a distinct set of social pressures and environmental stressors. The combination of financial strain, increased alcohol consumption, crowded shopping environments, and the frantic pace of “getting everything done” can lead even well-intentioned individuals to act rashly. In Pennsylvania, law enforcement agencies...Read More - Will Dismissed Charges Show Up on my Record?
Nov 20, 2018
Being arrested is one of the most stressful situations a person can experience. Not only is it an embarrassing process, but can also lead to an array of subsequent consequences in your work and personal life. And even if your charges are eventually dismissed due to insufficient evidence or a not guilty verdict, you may still not feel complete relief. Will these dismissed charges show up on my record and background checks? Will they affect...Read More - What are the Types of Probation in PA?
Nov 5, 2018
When you’re convicted of a crime, probation is commonly part of the sentence. But the terms of probation are not one-size-fits all. And with the punishments for breaking probation being so severe in Pennsylvania, it’s crucial to have the most experienced Philadelphia criminal defense attorney helping you understand the specific conditions of your probation. If you read our blog on probation violations, then you know that a probation sentence allows an offender to remain in...Read More - Everything You Need to Know About Disorderly Conduct in PA
Oct 5, 2018
While most disorderly conduct charges are considered a summary offense (or the most minor type of criminal offense in Pennsylvania) it doesn’t make facing the penalty any less scary. If you or someone you know has been charged with disorderly conduct in PA, here’s everything you need to know to handle your situation and minimize the resulting consequences. What Does Disorderly Conduct Mean? Disorderly conduct is a criminal charge that doesn’t pertain to any one...Read More - What Factors Can Reduce My Criminal Charges in PA?
Oct 2, 2018
Anyone arrested for a serious crime hopes for a positive outcome if they’re convicted. But few actually know what factors are taken into consideration to determine a criminal sentence. Fortunately, Pennsylvania law requires judges to recognize various facts and situations unrelated to whether or not the defendant is actually guilty of a crime, but that could be grounds for a more lenient punishment. Mitigating vs. Aggravating Factors Judges are required to consider two types of...Read More - What are Grounds for Harassment Charges in PA?
Sep 20, 2018
When you hear the term “harassment,” many people think of calling someone incessantly or using defamatory words. And while these certainly qualifies under the legal definition of harassment in PA, there are many more types of conduct that constitutes harassment which you may not realize. Or if you are aware and want to learn how to file harassment charges in PA, then you’ve also come to the right place. Here’s what you need to know...Read More - What’s at Risk If You Violate Your Probation in PA
Sep 7, 2018
From intensive supervision and shock probation to unsupervised probation, there are so many different types of probation that one can serve, but each state has their own specific consequences when you violate your probation. If you’re currently on probation, you should know what’s specifically at risk if you violate your probation in PA. So What Is Probation? Probation can be defined as an alternative to imprisonment for someone who is convicted of or pleads guilty...Read More - Charges Dismissed vs. Dropped: What’s the Difference?
Aug 31, 2018
When you’re charged with a crime, you can only hope that it will all just go away. The truth is there’s an actual possibility this could happen before ever going to trial. You’re thinking the only way to get things back to normal and move forward is if your felony charges are dropped or dismissed, and while this is true, you may not realize the different legal meanings the two words have. So what’s the...Read More - The Real Cost of that Drink: Penalties for First & Second DUI Offense
Aug 27, 2018
While some states would regard driving under the influence as a mere traffic violation, leaving the convicted with just a slap on the wrist, in Pennsylvania, you won’t be so lucky. With DUI penalties in PA considered a criminal offense, you’re looking at serious consequences for both first and second time convictions. Choosing to drive under the influence not only puts you and others at risk on the road, but it puts you at risk...Read More - Drunk driving charges in Pennsylvania
Jul 23, 2018
In many places across the country, including Pennsylvania, legislation related to drunk driving has become stricter over the years. In 2003, Act 24 lowered the legal blood-alcohol content level from .10 to .08 and created a series of penalties that depend on the BAC level of the accused driver and their prior history with DUI charges. People in certain categories, including minors, truck drivers, school bus drivers or those involved in injury crashes, can be...Read More