In the early 2000s, Pennsylvania lawmakers established 3 distinct levels of DUI penalties. This tiered approach is similar to DUI categories in several other states. Each category focuses on both treatment and punishment for DUI offenders. In Pennsylvania, the 3 levels of DUI impairment are: General Impairment High Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) Highest BAC We will explain each level [...]
If You Are Charged With A DUI In Pennsylvania, It Is Important To Know What Evidence Could Be Used Against You In Court One question that clients often ask us regarding DUI cases in Pennsylvania is, “What evidence can be used against me in court?” The answer, unfortunately, is that several items can be submitted against you in court. [...]
Find Out If Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition Is The Right Choice For You Many Pittsburgh residents believe that Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition (ARD) will get them out of jail if they are convicted of a DUI. Some people see this program as a lifetime “get out of jail free card.” While ARD does have many benefits, it does not quite work this [...]
Know Your Rights Concerning DUI Checkpoints Pittsburgh, PA DUI checkpoints are a major source of frustration. But are they necessary? This is a question we get all the time. We thought we would answer it here. It is important to know your rights concerning Pittsburgh, PA DUI checkpoints. Turning Around If you do spot a DUI checkpoint in Pittsburgh, PA, [...]
Please Vote This Tuesday on Marsy's Law If you are a voter in PA, and you vote Tuesday (which of course you all will) I urge you to vote no on a proposed amendment to the Pennsylvania Constitution which will appear on the ballot. It's called Marsy's Law and it's intended to provide crime victims with an array of constitutional [...]
On November 5th, 2019, Pennsylvania voters will cast their ballot for a proposed amendment that would create constitutional protections for crime victims. The description of the amendment, as it will appear on the ballot, seems reasonable at first. However, there are many problems with this measure (apart from the procedural irregularities that serve as the impetus [...]
Following the 2017 death of a Penn State student following a fraternity-related hazing incident, the state strengthened hazing laws in Pennsylvania by passing the “Timothy Piazza Anti-Hazing Law,” effective November 19, 2018. This made a number of changes to strengthen the law against hazing in Pennsylvania. Hazing is statutorily defined as “intentionally, knowingly or recklessly, for the purpose of initiating, [...]
The public media is replete with examples of algorithms -- mathematical-based formulas -- that are so prevalent in our everyday lives; and now predictive algorithms have spread to the criminal justice arena. “Predictive policing” describes using data about past crimes to predict where future crimes will occur, who might commit those future crimes, and who might be victimized by [...]
Governor Wolf signed into law House Bill 163 on October 24, 2018, which removes driver’s license suspension as a penalty for certain non-violent crimes that are not related to driving. These include minor drug offenses, using a fake ID, misrepresentations of age to buy alcohol, underage drinking, purchase of tobacco by a minor, and failing to pay child support. [...]