Pennsylvania Supreme Court to Hear Case Involving Cannabis Odor and Vehicle Searches Is the smell of cannabis probable cause for the police to search your vehicle? That is the question up for debate this week in the Pennsylvania Supreme Court. In Commonwealth v. Barr II, the defendant was charged with illegally owning a firearm after …
Can the Police Access Your Cell Phone Data? What are your privacy rights when it comes to mobile data and cell phone tracking information? Now that everyone owns a mobile device, it is very easy to for cell phone companies to track real time location, even if calls were not being made. They can also …
Possible License Suspension and DUI in Pennsylvania Having a few drinks at a bar and driving home may be commonplace in Pennsylvania, but if you are charged with DUI in PA, or driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, the consequences and penalties of a DUI arrest in Pennsylvania can be shocking and last …
If your friend or loved one has overdosed on drugs and you assist them in getting help, you can not be criminally charged, even if you were also using drugs (under most circumstances). This immunity also applies to anyone on probation or parole. This law is often referred to as the Pennsylvania Good Samaritan Overdose …
Investigations for Fraud Related to COVID-19 Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) is on the Rise Fraud and scams for personal protective equipment (PPE) and Covid-19 testing are on the rise—what are Pennsylvania legislators doing to prevent it? The COVID-19 pandemic has caused the demand for personal protective equipment and other medical supplies to rise significantly. As …
Federal Marijuana Reform: How it Could Impact Pennsylvania Marijuana Laws The MORE Act and Pennsylvania Cannabis Laws Federal Marijuana Reform Nearing the end of its session in late 2020, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill that would decriminalize marijuana on a federal level, as well as provide a pathway to erase nonviolent federal …
How Does a Grand Jury Work and What Happens if You’ve Been Indicted We all have heard of a grand jury, but how they work, the purpose they serve, and how they differ from a trial jury, is sometimes a muddled and confusing. Grand juries are written into the U.S. Constitution under the 5th Amendment …
Second-Time DUI Offenders May be Eligible for Reduced Sentence Will the New Pennsylvania Ruling Reduce Your DUI Penalties? If you were recently charged with a DUI offense in Pennsylvania and considered a “second-time offender” because you already completed the ARD program for a previous offense, you may be eligible to have your current sentence/punishment reduced. …
What is the current marijuana / cannabis decriminalization and legalization status in Pennsylvania? In Pennsylvania, recreational marijuana, or cannabis, is still illegal, although several cities have passed ordinances decriminalizing marijuana. Several cities have decriminalized marijuana, including Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Harrisburg, Steelton, York, State College, Erie, Lancaster, Bethlehem and Upper Darby Township. Even so, arrests for marijuana …
Voting Rights in PA with a Criminal Record Can you vote in Pennsylvania if you were convicted of a misdemeanor or a felony? Voting is one of the most vital rights as a U.S. citizen. Many people falsely believe that if you are a convicted felon, you are not able to vote or may not …
