Criminal Defense

A Discovery Motion can be a significant portion of pre-trial litigation in Criminal Defense cases. Specifically, if an accused's attorney does not make specific requests for discovery in Criminal Defense Cases via a Discovery Motion, then he might not be...

Pennsylvania law provides for prosecution of individuals who are required to register under sexual offender requirements, but who knowingly fail to register.  Accordingly, this law makes it a crime for an individual to knowingly fail to: 1. register with the PA...

Pennsylvania Rule of Criminal Procedure 586 allows the Court to dismiss charges against a defendant in cases (usually theft-related offenses) where a case meets certain elements.  Obviously, dismissal of the charges is done through agreement between the parties...

Under Pennsylvania law, unless the crime alleged to have been committed is murder, voluntary manslaughter, or conspiracy to commit murder, the Commonwealth is required to commence prosecution within a certain period of time.  Statute of limitations, although...

Pennsylvania legislature passed an amendment in 2014 that significantly increased a mandatory minimum for anyone who violates 75 § 3742 - Accidents involving death or serious bodily injury.  This new law increases the penalty from one year to three years for...

Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) maintains a driving record for every licensed driver in Pennsylvania.  Certain traffic (or moving) violations can add points to a person's driving record.  This blog will deal with the specific consequences...

Pennsylvania law provides for a crime known as criminal mischief.  Criminal mischief is essentially damaging property belonging to another person.  Pennsylvania law provides a number of different ways this crime can be accomplished and also provides for...

The arraignment procedure occurs at two different proceedings in Pennsylvania and both of these proceedings occur prior to trial.  The specific rules for what occurs at the two arraignment proceedings is set forth in the Rules of Criminal Procedure. The...

Pennsylvania law criminalizes the act of carrying a firearm without a license.  Essentially, this law criminalizes anyone who carries a concealed firearm without properly being licensed. A firearm is "concealed" for the purposes of this statute if the person has...

Under Pennsylvania Rules of Evidence, during trial, either party may attack the credibility of any witness with evidence that the witness has been convicted of a crime involving dishonesty or false statement.  Generally, the conviction or the date of release from...