As Pennsylvania stands on the cusp of potentially legalizing recreational marijuana, 2025 seems to be a pivotal year. With shifting political dynamics, economic considerations, and public sentiment, will Pennsylvania be like most of our neighbors – Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Delaware, and even … Ohio(!) – and make a move to legalize the recreational …
pennsylvania
Can You Go to Jail for a First DUI Charge in Pennsylvania?
If you were charged with DUI in PA for the first time, you may be wondering about the possible penalties if you are convicted. Attorney Justin Ketchel explains your rights… Driving under the influence (DUI) is taken very seriously in Pennsylvania, and yes, you can go to jail for it. The severity of the penalties, …
Navigating the Legal Process: What Happens After an Arrest in Pennsylvania?
An arrest can leave people feeling overwhelmed and uncertain about their rights and future. Legal troubles can hang like a cloud over defendants and their families. Knowing what to expect next in the process can help in being better prepared. In Pennsylvania, the process that unfolds after an arrest involves various steps, each designed to …
Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court Rules Skill Games Are Legal
Will Ruling End Debate Over Skill Games in Pennsylvania? In a 7-0 decision on November 30, 2023, the court upheld a Dauphin County judge’s finding earlier this year that the skill games are not slot machines or illegal gambling devices, but that the devices developed by Pace-O-Matic are actually “skill games”, meaning they require a …
Governor Shapiro Calls for End of Death Penalty in Pennsylvania
The death penalty in Pennsylvania still exists, but no one has been executed in nearly 24 years. In an announcement at Mosaic Community Church in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro called on the PA General Assembly to abolish the death penalty. He added he would not issue any execution warrants, extending the moratorium on the …
Can You Be Charged with DUI Without Driving?
Pennsylvania Court Further Defines ‘Operation’ of Vehicle in DUI Cases In Bold vs. Department of Transportation (PennDOT), the Commonwealth Court clarified the precedent for the term ‘operates’, which is used in the Implied Consent Law under Section 1547(b)(1)(ii) of the Pennsylvania Vehicle Code, 75 for license suspension cases. This definition expands the meaning to include …
DUI Checkpoints in Pittsburgh
DUI CheckPoints – Pittsburgh, PA Information and What You Should Know if You Are Stopped at a DUI Checkpoint The holidays are here again – time for people to get together, celebrate, and drink their care away! It’s the time for merriment, although holidays can also be stressful. One added stressor is that festivities could …
Fentanyl Test Strips Now Legal in Pennsylvania
Every day more people are becoming addicted to Fentanyl and more drug dealers are lacing pills and other drugs with Fentanyl (often without the user’s knowledge). These drugs could include illegal prescription medicine like Oxycontin or other drugs like heroin and cocaine. This has left dealers and drug users wondering if their product is safe …
Pennsylvania Marijuana Pardon Project – Deadline Sept 30
Do you have a criminal record in Pennsylvania for a minor marijuana offense? If you are one of thousands of people who were charged and convicted of simple marijuana charges in Pennsylvania – a drug that in many states is perfectly legal – you now have the chance to get those criminal charges off your …
Can You Go To Jail at a Preliminary Hearing?
What Happens at a Preliminary Hearing in Pennsylvania? If you or a loved one were charged with a crime recently and are scheduled for a preliminary hearing, you may be wondering what could happen at the hearing. A preliminary hearing is not a trial, but rather a first step in a case used to determine …