Media Pennsylvania Criminal Law Blog
Bill would make it easier for medical marijuana users to avoid DUI charges
Pennsylvania is one of several states to allow medical marijuana use. Also, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and several other cities have decriminalized possession of small amounts of marijuana. This means that, instead of arresting you, police in those cities will instead...
3 sobriety tests you can expect to take at a DUI stop
When a police officer flashes their squad car lights to pull you over after a night out, there’s a great chance they will ask you to do a series of field sobriety tests. Passing these tests probably means you are sober enough to drive, while failing them can give a...
Is there a difference between assault and battery?
If you get into a physical altercation with someone and they threaten to press charges against you, they usually accuse you of assault. However, if they do proceed with filing charges, the prosecutors might bring a case against you for battery, instead. So, is there a...
Can I become addicted to prescription drugs?
Prescription medications are provided by doctors to treat ailments, reduce infections, and relieve pain. While beneficial to many, prescription drugs are not without their dangers. Much like illicit "street" drugs, prescription medications can also be abused. While...
How do I recognize a phishing email?
With more and more people working at home, computer crimes have taken on a special urgency. One way a criminal may try to breach your computer is to send you an email that looks like it comes from a source you know and trust. However, the email is actually designed to...
What you need to know about DUI checkpoints
Police officers in Pennsylvania have limited resources to enforce the commonwealth’s many laws. To get the most bang for their buck, law enforcement agencies typically step up drunk driving enforcement on holidays and other popular drinking days. Along with Memorial...
What is a misdemeanor charge?
Going through the criminal justice system is stressful for a variety of reasons, but a way to mitigate some stress is to understand all of the terminology. For instance, infractions, misdemeanors, and felonies are all different classifications of crimes. Part of...
Is my drug use actually a serious addiction?
If you are wondering if you have a substance abuse problem, the unfortunate answer may be “yes.” Of course, all drug use does not necessarily lead to full-blown addiction. Still, no matter in which stage of abuse you are, it is almost always easier to quit now than it...
Cyberbullying 101
Bullying might invoke images of schoolyard conflicts—slammed lockers and scattered textbooks. Cyberbullying, while still somewhat new, takes on a whole other meaning in a whole other playground. For starters, there are no prohibitions against bullying in...
How can the Pennsylvania ARD program help me?
Bad judgment is an unfortunate part of the human condition. However, if you stand in a first-time accusation of certain minor charges, Pennsylvania offers an accelerated rehabilitative disposition (ARD) program, which can dramatically reduce the consequences of your...
