PA Supreme Court Rules On Issue Critical To Mandatory Sentences For Repeat DUI
On November 20, 2019, The Supreme Court of Pennsylvania decided the case of Commonwealth v Mock. The Defendant in the case committed a DUI on June 3, 2006, which resulted in a conviction on March 27, 2007. More than ten years after committing this offense,…
Marijuana conviction in Pennsylvania. Apply for pardon now!
Pennsylvania residents who have been convicted of non-violent marijuana offenses should apply for a pardon, and the Commonwealth will expedite that process, according to Lieutenant Governor John Fetterman. As part of the plan to try to eventually legalize recreational use of the drug in Pennsylvania,…
New Pennsylvania Law Will Allow Cameras and Enforcement Devices in Active Work Zones
Legislation has recently been signed into law by Governor Tom Wolf adopting a five-year “pilot” program that will allow for cameras and electronic equipment to be installed in work zones on the Pennsylvania Turnpike, interstate highways, and other state-maintained roads to monitor the speed of…
Pennsylvania Eliminates Drivers License Suspension for Drug and Underage Drinking Offenses
Since 1994 any person convicted of the possession or sale of controlled substances or the underage consumption or possession of alcohol has been subject to a suspension of their driving privileges. Thanks to a new bill signed by Governor Wolf on October 24, 2018 those…
Cracking Down on Hazing in Pennsylvania Schools
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the rest of the country were shaken when a 19-year-old engineering student at Penn State University died during an alcohol-fueled fraternity initiation rite in February 2017. Timothy Piazza of Lebanon, New Jersey, died of head and spleen injuries suffered while…
Changes To Pennsylvania DUI Driver’s License Suspensions Have Taken Effect
Since last year, the way PennDOT has handled the suspension of operating privileges of those convicted of a DUI offense has been changing. Previously, the use of an ignition interlock device, (sometimes referred to as a “blow and go”) was reserved for those convicted of…
Mooney Law: Pennsylvania’s Childline and Abuse Registry
Most people are aware of Pennsylvania’s Sexual Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA) commonly known as Megan’s Law. A person can be placed on this registry only after a criminal conviction of certain enumerated offenses outlined in the SORNA statute. This registry is open to…
Pennsylvania passes second chance legislation for those with criminal records – Clean Slate Act
With the passing of the “Clean Slate” Act, Pennsylvania has implemented the first law in the nation that allows for the automatic sealing of certain criminal records. The legislation also implements new procedures for sealing more serious misdemeanor convictions and non-conviction data. Under the new…
United States Supreme Court Rules In Cellphone Data Case
Today the United States Supreme Court issued their ruling in the case of Carpenter v. United States. You will recall our previous blog article on this matter. In a victory for privacy advocates, the Court followed the recent trend of protecting privacy rights in…