It is not uncommon for fighting couples to have a change of mind after things cool down. Arguments that are really heated at the time may seem trivial a day later (and after the effects of alcohol have worn off). However, when an...
A protection from abuse (PFA) order is not something to be taken lightly. A PFA can have a serious impact on the defendant’s life, ruin their reputation, and cost a lot of money to get the order reversed. Many people find...
Allegations of domestic violence occur in countless different circumstances. In many cases, a heated argument or simmering disagreement can boil over into a physical altercation. In other cases, a domestic violence arrest could...
As we have discussed before, there are several collateral consequences that can come with a domestic violence conviction. Outside of jail time, the impact these convictions could have on your child custody rights are...
In Pennsylvania, the amount of time an expungement can take will vary. If all goes well, the process could wrap up in just a few months. However, missteps on your part can directly impact how long the process takes – or if your...
When the court issues a Protection From Abuse (PFA) order against the defendant, the defendant often will be prohibited from contacting the other party and will always be prohibited from harassing, abusing, or harming...
A criminal conviction of any kind can take its toll. Dealing with jail time and fines is never easy, but in most cases, they represent temporary setbacks. In some cases, criminal convictions can have permanent consequences. A...
A large number of alleged domestic violence incidents involve only the two people. Frequently spouses, these allegations often stem from arguments that allegedly became physical. However, other instances of alleged domestic...
If you have been arrested for domestic violence in Pennsylvania, you could be facing the risk of jail time and steep fines. While these consequences are serious, they are not the only way a domestic violence conviction could...
One of the toughest parts of a Protection From Abuse (PFA) order is that it can prevent parents from seeing their children. Even if the children were not involved in any abuse, a PFA between parents can limit contact...
Would Legislation Filed with the Pennsylvania Legislature Expunge Marijuana Convictions Automatically?
April 16, 2020
Popular opinion in favor of the legalization of marijuana has never been stronger. According to an October 2019 Gallup poll, support for legal marijuana has risen to 66 percent nationwide. Along with this support for...
A protection from abuse (PFA) order is sometimes called a restraining order. The PFA can effectively prohibit someone from contacting the subject of the PFA, going to their house or work, and even prohibit gun ownership. There are...
Could the Judicial Emergency in Pennsylvania Courts Impact Your Speedy Trial Rights in a Domestic Violence Case?
April 10, 2020
When you face domestic violence charges in Pennsylvania, the prosecution does not have an unlimited amount of time to make their case. You are guaranteed the right to a speedy trial under the Sixth Amendment to the United States...
As part of a Protection From Abuse (PFA) order, the subject of the order may have their gun rights temporarily taken away. In April of 2019, a gun safety bill signed by Governor Tom Wolf went into effect. Under Act 79, all...
In many cases, the process of obtaining a Governor’s pardon in Pennsylvania can be a long, drawn-out process. Often, it can take as many as three years to determine the outcome of your pardon request. In 2019, the...
If you are being abused at home or subjected to physical, emotional, or sexual violence, you may also be able to seek a Protection From Abuse (PFA) order to keep the abuser out of your home. With the coronavirus closings, the...
As of March 27th, the First Judicial District of Pennsylvania, which is the governing body of the Philadelphia Court System, including its criminal court system, has ordered that the filing and disposition of certain criminal...
Can the Sudden Rise in Certain Prescription Drug Requests from the Coronavirus Come from Prescription Fraud?
March 27, 2020
As the coronavirus spreads, we’re going to see more and more repercussions that we might not have been expecting. One of them is prescription drug fraud. This white collar crime is prosecuted at both the state and...
Are Motions to Lift a Detainer an Emergency in Philadelphia Under the Coronavirus Shutdown Rules?
March 25, 2020
Courts in Philadelphia and across Pennsylvania are still grappling with the fallout of shutting down to slow the spread of the coronavirus. While courts have closed their doors to the public, they still provide essential services...