It might be hard for current Penn State students to believe this, but there was once a time when you could smoke marijuana in the dorms and around campus and no one really cared. Those days are over. Of course, the irony is that marijuana is far more mainstream and...
Experienced Defense Counsel Serving Clients Throughout Central Pennsylvania
Month: August 2013
Prostitute Is Scam Victim, But Ends Up In Jail
Anyone who has been a criminal defense lawyer long enough has had his share of prostitution cases, especially if any part of his career was spent as a public defender. One common thread I have observed with prostitution defendants is that they tend to be magnets for...
Even in Summary Offense Cases, Pro Se Representation is Foolish
I usually appear before the three magisterial district judges here in State College, Pennsylvania several times a week, so I often see summary offense trials while waiting for my own clients' cases to be called. One of the most painful things for me to watch is a pro...
What is a “Jail Letter” in a Pennsylvania Summary Offense Case?
Summary offenses are the least serious criminal offenses under Pennsylvania law. Common summary offenses include underage drinking, public drunkenness, disorderly conduct, criminal mischief and a first offense retail theft. Although these offenses are not nearly as...
Dr. Sanjay Gupta is Medical Marijuana Convert
A few years ago, Dr. Sanjay Gupta of CNN angered quite a few people when he openly criticized medical marijuana, agreeing with the United States' government thoroughly discredited position that cannabis has no medicinal value. As a highly respected physician, many...
Burglary Charges Filed against Woman who Thought a Dog was her Niece
It was not long into my career as a criminal defense attorney when I realized that the majority of crimes are either rooted in the pursuit of or effects of drugs and alcohol, or in mental illness, or a combination of the two. My educated guess is that the 38 year old...
Harassment Charge Filed Against Pennsylvania Woman who Called Ex 1,200 Times
So you think you have a crazy Ex? Chances are you have nothing on a 45 year old New Castle, Pennsylvania man who was subjected to approximately 1,200 phone calls since breaking up with a woman who can be described as something that rhymes with "cat sit lazy." Lisa...
Scams: Woman Steals Car Keys from Locker Room to Break into Cars at a Pennsylvania Gym
On August 8, 2013, a woman asked to use the restroom at a Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania gym, but it turns out this was all a ruse. Her real intention was to steal gym bags. She then used car keys she found in the gym bags to break into cars, allowing her to steal credit...
“Aggravated Assault on Unborn Child” Charge Against Pregnant Woman is Inappropriate and Unconstitutional
In what could prove to be a case of first impression in Pennsylvania, Mifflin County Regional Police have charged a pregnant heroin addict with "aggravated assault of unborn child." On August 2, 2013, police and Fame EMS discovered 29 year old Shavon Fisher...
If Drug Paraphernalia is Illegal, how do Head Shops Legally Operate?
As a criminal defense attorney in a bustling college town, I am often asked how State College's head shops and mom and pop convenience stores can get away with selling bongs, bowls, vaporizers, empty plastic dime bags and the like. This is a common question among...
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