Williamsport Legal Blog
Understanding constructive possession
If Pennsylvania law enforcement officers charge you with some kind of drug crime, the prosecutor naturally must prove to the jury beyond a reasonable doubt that the drugs recovered by the officers at the scene belonged to you before (s)he can convict you of any...
read morePolice interaction in parking lots
The police operate under set parameters. If they suspect a driver is acting suspiciously, they may initiate a police stop. However, to legally stop a moving vehicle in Pennsylvania, police have to have a reason, such as a traffic infraction. When in a parking lot, can...
read moreUnderstanding Pennsylvania’s Zero Tolerance law
Although the legal drinking age in Pennsylvania is 21-years-old, underage college students sometimes partake in alcoholic drinks. Many view this as just a part of growing up and the college experience. However, underage drinking is considered a serious offense in the...
read moreWhat you need to know about insider trading
If you are one of the many people in Pennsylvania who participate in trading on the stock market, you should be aware that the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission regulates activities carefully. A suspicion that you are guilty of insider trading may result in an...
read morePennsylvania’s anti-hazing laws
Hazing is and has been a serious issue for decades, but states have only just recently begun to take measures to combat it. In recent years, more states have begun to draft and implement anti-hazing laws that make hazing a crime. After the death of a 19-year-old Penn...
read moreAvoid company risk during a divorce
As a Pennsylvania business owner, you may believe that your business is separate from your personal life. After all, most put in an effort to ensure that your personal assets are separate from business assets. However, if you are in the middle of a divorce, all of...
read moreIs college cyber-bullying a criminal offense?
Pennsylvania college students spend a lot of time online. The internet opens up avenues for studying and socializing. Unfortunately, it may also open up the door for bullies. Grade school and high school bullying are hot topics. In fact, Pennsylvania is a state with...
read moreWhat could happen if you are accused of bank fraud?
If you are accused of bank fraud in Pennsylvania, the prosecutor is required to prove that there was an intent to acquire funds from a bank through fraudulent means. With a successful prosecution, you may be facing a punishment of up to 30 years in prison and a...
read moreFederal charges are not the end of the road
In general, federal criminal charges are more serious than state charges in Pennsylvania. While there is overlap between state and federal charges, once you face a serious, federal crime, the sentencing laws change and the prosecutors have more resources against you....
read moreWhat are the felony degrees?
In Pennsylvania, as with all states, crimes have classifications. The two main classifications are misdemeanors and felonies. The classifications create differences in sentencing and ramifications. For instance, a person charged with a misdemeanor may only face county...
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