Pennsylvania Criminal Defense

Gun violence has reached an epidemic in Philadelphia, and the city is struggling to keep people and communities safe. In a recent post, we discussed a story from WHYY about the Philadelphia police department’s use of “stop...

From 2007 to 2021, there were 5,478 homicides in Philadelphia. In our city, one person died every day for 14 years. Although our city is diverse and 40% black, black neighbors bore the brunt of these homicides. As a result, the...

If you have a child facing criminal charges in Pennsylvania, you’re undoubtedly worried about what the possible outcome will mean to your child’s future. Now, a recent report about a juvenile facility in Delaware...

When a relationship goes south, and your ex-partner or spouse is deceitful and even spreading lies about you, it can be tempting to hack into their email or phone to gain the upper hand. After all, you may even have their login...

Every person who has watched an episode of Law & Order or another courtroom drama has inevitably come across a scene where one spouse refuses to testify against the other. While dramatic courtroom scenes may work for good TV,...

A federal jury has convicted the ringleader of a gun trafficking scheme that spanned from Berkeley, California, to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Following a five-day trial, prosecutors were able to establish that the leader worked...

Punxsy High School Principal, Paul Hetrick, was arrested four times for DUI-related charges and violation of a protection from abuse order (PFA). Although the details of the PFA order were not released to the public, Hetrick now...

While the holidays are a time to come together with family and friends, they can also easily take a toll on relationships when the added stress, exhaustion, and financial pressure mount. The dinners, travel plans, gift-giving...

It’s easy to see why a 16-year-old boy in Bensalem was arrested for murder—he shared a video of a dead body on Instagram and asked a friend for help hiding the body. The parents of the friend he approached then contacted...

If you’ve watched many courtroom movies or TV shows, you’ve probably seen an indignant lawyer stand up and yell, “Objection! Hearsay!” dozens of times. But what actually is hearsay? What is...

In Pennsylvania, Protection from Abuse orders (PFAs) are meant to end abuse, stalking, harassment, and threats. To receive one, a victim must apply for one through the court system and present evidence showing that these types of...

We recently reported on a proposed ordinance in the town of Sunbury, PA that would prohibit people convicted of violent felonies from renting a house or apartment. In Part II of this report, we’ll take a more in-depth look...

When two people who have a child or children together decide to divorce or break up, one of the most difficult aspects concerns custody. Adding allegations of abuse into the mix complicates matters even further. What happens when...

The number of people in American prisons has increased by a whopping 500% since 1982—but not because the crime rate has spiked. Rather, policy change and sentencing guidelines are to blame for what can only be described as a...

The owner of a North Philadelphia pharmacy has been sentenced to three and a half years in prison after being found guilty of charges relating to healthcare fraud and conspiracy to distribute controlled substances. Mitchell...

In 1997 President Clinton signed into law the Adoption and Safe Families Act. Designed to address what was perceived as chronic problems with the nation’s child welfare system, the ASFA required states to establish...

Relationships between couples are complex and highly emotional, especially during and after the divorce process. While no one can support acts of violence between partners, it is not uncommon for spouses to make accusations of...

Prevention From Abuse Orders – or PFAs – are the Pennsylvania equivalent to what the media commonly calls restraining orders or protective orders. Pennsylvania courts will only issue PFAs under certain circumstances, generally...

It can be overwhelming and frightening if you’re facing criminal charges in Pennsylvania. But if the police claim to have cell phone video footage of you committing a crime, you’re probably concerned about whether the...

Learning that you are suspected of having abused your partner’s children is one of the most upsetting things that can happen to anyone, and no matter where the accusation is coming from, it can have a seriously detrimental...