Just another night out at the neighborhood bar, and then you see him. Not that guy again. Glances turn into stares, words gradually change into profanities, and the pushing and shoving evolve into some hard knuckling. The blows are staggering until only one of remains...
Philadelphia Criminal Defense Law Blog
How to act when approached by police
Law enforcement officers swear to 'protect and serve,' but that mantra has become clouded in recent months. Prior to the events of 2020, law enforcement has already carried a stigma that raised the anxiety of those they approached. For some individuals, that anxiety...
What are the different levels of DUI in Pennsylvania law?
Any DUI charges can have a significant impact on your life, but repeat convictions or convictions involving an elevated blood alcohol content (BAC) can be even more serious. Generally, Pennsylvania divides drunk driving charges based on the level of impairment:...
Police misconduct during traffic stops: What does it look like?
Pennsylvania police pull motorists over every day for a wide range of reasons. And although many of these stops result in a ticket, fine and cloud over the driver's day, some can take a far more upsetting turn. Such can be the case if a traffic stop results in drug...
Philadelphia’s DUI arrest numbers this year may surprise you
As you already know, in March, the governor of Pennsylvania ordered a statewide shelter-in-place order in reaction to the COVID-19 pandemic. That included shutting down all bars, restaurants, liquor stores and other establishments that served or sold alcohol. By June,...
When can a juvenile be tried as an adult in Pennsylvania?
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...
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...
