Criminal Defense

One of the well-known warrantless searches allowable is the search of an automobile. The reasoning is that the vehicle could be moved and the police would lose whatever evidence might be inside. The Pennsylvania Supreme Court recently ruled in at least one...

It is difficult to read the news these days without seeing those scary two words: "death penalty." No matter who you are, it is important to know a few things about it because the United States is one of the top five countries in the world when it comes to legal...

If you are looking to have a criminal record expunged from Centre County, you should know that the costs are about to increase. Effective January 1, 2017 the court costs, not the legal fee, will increase from $75 to $207. Therefore, if you are considering having an...

Drug abuse is often a key factor in criminal behavior. Unfortunately, locking up drug abusers doesn't stop crime, and it doesn't stop drug addiction. Pennsylvania recognizes that fact and has set up Drug Courts throughout the state. In the federal system, drug...

If you have a conviction for a misdemeanor on your record you know that it presents certain hurdles for you in terms of getting ahead in your job, educational opportunities or finding a place to live. Pennsylvania's Governor Wolfe recently signed into law a Senate...

According to Federal Judge Alex Kozinski, it is time for the courts to reject what he refers to as "voodoo science". In an opinion piece written by Judge Kozinski and appearing in the Wall Street Journal, the President's Council Of Advisors On Science And Technology...

A 21st birthday can mean many things to a student, including the ability to go to the bars and legally drink, go to concerts in 21-and-over rooms and visit local breweries and tasting rooms. Students who turn 21 have the ability to go out for dinner with friends and...

If you read my other blogs and articles you know that it is very important to keep your criminal record as clean as possible and if there is a blemish to try to have it expunged. Unfortunately, it is impossible to expunge every part of a record. Allow me to explain....

Pennsylvania State University recently resumed classes and this year's incoming freshman class of nearly 8,600 students is among the largest to ever be welcomed into the Penn State community. For freshmen, the first year of college is marked by many other firsts as...

Pennsylvania has had an anti-hazing law which applied only to college students. In May of this year, however, Governor Wolfe extended the provisions of the anti-hazing law to 7th-12th graders.  The penalty for hazing is a third-degree misdemeanor punishable by up...