The American criminal justice strives to penalize offenders with punishments that fit the crimes. In order to do this fairly, the court system separates out juvenile offenders to avoid applying the same harsh penalties an adult would face. These courts focus on giving...
Philadelphia Criminal Defense Law Blog
Can you refuse a field sobriety test?
If an officer pulls you over and suspects you're intoxicated, you may worry that you will have to submit to any test they want you to perform. In certain cases, noncompliance can come with consequences. Yet, this is not so with field sobriety tests. And submitting to...
When silence doesn’t speak volumes: Your right not to speak
Everyone who’s ever watched television or movies knows that they have the right to remain silent and the right to an attorney. But have you ever thought about how to assert these rights? You probably know that you can ask to speak with an attorney. However, keeping...
Is it illegal to have drug paraphernalia if I don’t do drugs?
Drug paraphernalia is a matter of some controversy. You may have it but never use it. You may have gotten a bong as a joke from a friend. You may have kept it as a remnant of your younger, wilder youth. However, possessing drug paraphernalia of any kind is a serious...
What are your rights to protect your phone data from police?
Our smartphones contain nearly all the details of our lives, and that makes them an attractive target for law enforcement if someone is suspected or accused of a crime. Cell phones hold gigabytes of data tracking personal information, conversations as well as the...
How your teen’s DUI could affect their future
A DUI charge can be a lifechanging event for anyone. They can especially affect a teen. If your child receives conviction of driving under the influence, now is the time to start thinking about how it could affect their future.Considering collegeWhile not all colleges...
How an ignition interlock device can offer you more freedom
As someone accused of an impaired driving offense, you may think of an ignition interlock device (IID) as an insult. After all, the automatic suspension of your license that comes from drunk driving charges or a refusal to perform a breath test during a roadside stop...
Retirement approaching: Time to update your estate plan
Planning for retirement typically involves budgeting and many years of careful saving throughout your professional career. Before you book that European river cruise or start planning your convertible trip down Route 66 with your spouse, there are a few other...
What role does zoning play in building or buying a property?
Philadelphia is a very old city whose layout and structure largely reflects the lack of planning common in the early development of the East Coast of the United States. At one time, development and new construction occurred whenever and wherever someone wanted it to,...
A DUI can seriously damage your reputation: Protect yourself
When people talk about DUIs, they talk about how serious they are in terms of the financial toll. They might bring up the risk of imprisonment as well.Those aren't the only ways that DUIs can affect you, though, and as a professional, those might be among the least...
