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...
criminal law
Two possible defenses to a drug charge
Imagine you were spending time at a friend's house and the police come banging on the door. Unbeknownst to you, your friend has been engaged in drug dealing. Alternately, imagine that you're traveling in a friend's car and a routine traffic stop turns into a drug bust...
How will a criminal defense attorney help me?
You always have the right to defend yourself against criminal charges pro se, which means that you can defend yourself without representation from an attorney. However, you also have the right to representation. Even if you can't afford a lawyer on your own, the state...
The powers of campus security
Whether you call them rent-a-cops or campus security, there's no denying their ability to intimidate students on campus. No matter what you call them, they may have more power than you think. It may seem like the only function of campus security is to issue parking...
“Study drugs” can have impacts long after midterms or finals
You and your spouse make the difficult decision to end your marriage through the Pennsylvania divorce process. You have children together, and it is incredibly important for you to understand how a judge will determine custody rights for you and your spouse....
Should you help your child fight drug possession charges?
As a parent of a college student, you surely want the best for your child, but it is often difficult to know when to let them deal with their own problems as a fledgling adult, and when to lend a hand to keep them on a productive path. In some form or fashion, all...
Parents: Your finances could be impacted by your child’s actions
As a parent of a teenager who has committed a crime, one thing you may want to know is if you'll be held accountable for your child's actions. For the most part, parents will not be held accountable for the actions of their children until their children reach the ages...
Former Penn State student pleads guilty in fatal hazing case
The tragic death in February, 2017 of a 19-year-old Pennsylvania State University freshman at a fraternity party made worldwide headlines and once again brought the subject of hazing into the public conversation. Twenty-six people are facing criminal charges as a...
What makes eyewitness testimony unreliable?
If you are accused of a criminal offense, you are probably very scared and unsure of what to expect. You can be especially frightened if the prosecutors or police tell you that they have an eyewitness prepared to testify against you. In these situations, you might...
Are parents liable for a child’s drug crime?
As a parent, you probably expect your child to get into some forms of trouble as they grow into adulthood, but, of course, hope that this trouble is relatively tame and not criminal in nature. However, when you receive the phone call or knock at the door informing you...