In Pennsylvania, as in many other states, cash bail may be necessary for those arrested and charged with a crime. If someone does not want to await their court date while in state custody, they will likely need to pay the court a certain amount of money set by the...
Protecting Your Liberty. Defending Your Rights.
Criminal Defense
Could you be committing identity theft accidentally?
Did you know that it’s possible to commit identity theft accidentally? Identity theft is when you steal another person’s identity or information for your own benefit. This might include using someone else’s credit card to purchase something for yourself or using...
Cold-case defendants face additional hurdles
Law enforcement officers and prosecutors are under enormous pressure to solve murder cases. When the case is one that has gone cold over years or even decades, the stakes can be even higher. Such is true also for the defendants in these cold cases, as they face unique...
Don’t let a false accusation ruin your life. You can stand up for yourself
It’s an unfortunate truth that some people are falsely accused of crimes that they did not commit. Unfortunately, those false allegations can make their lives difficult and even lead to harsh charges and convictions. It is important to know how to protect yourself if...
Where’s the line between lobbying and bribery?
The political process in the United States can be complicated -- and money plays a big part in what happens. While that's normal, the ways that a politician obtains money must be legal. Any breach -- such as accepting a bribe -- is illegal. Any financial impropriety...
Did police enter your home without a warrant?
In general, the police have no right to enter your home without a search warrant. They can certainly ask you if they’re allowed to come in and search, but you’re under no obligation to let them do so. If they tell you that you have no choice, ask to see the warrant....
What happens if someone gets caught drinking while underage?
There is no question that many teens and young adults like to try new things, and that can include drinking before they turn 21. While there are a few times when drinking while underage is acceptable, such as during a religious ceremony, for the most part, drinking...
The importance of a defense attorney
The right to a lawyer is as important to the American justice system as the right to a fair trial. The two go hand-in-hand. Anyone who is accused of a crime, regardless of the nature of that crime or the evidence against them, has a right to a fair trial and legal...
Pretextual stops in Pennsylvania: What you need to know
After a traffic stop, when can the state police decide to hold you for an extended period of time and search your car? In Pennsylvania, the answer seems to be, “Whenever they feel like it,” even if doing so is actually illegal. All it takes to pull over a car is “mere...
Should you testify as the defendant in a criminal case?
You’re the defendant in a criminal case, and you want to make sure that you do all you can to protect your interests. You know that there is a chance that you’ll be asked to testify, even though you could make a mistake or say something that doesn’t sit right with the...