There are some peculiar glitches in Pennsylvania's marijuana laws. One such inconsistency is that possession of a small amount of marijuana for personal use, defined as less than 30 grams of cannabis, is an ungraded misdemeanor, punishable by up to 30 days in jail and...
Month: October 2013
Obscure Crimes: Fortune Telling is Illegal in Pennsylvania
Did you ever notice that many psychics and astrologers in Pennsylvania use a "for entertainment purposes only" disclaimer, much the same way that escorts use the "money is exchanged only for time and companionship" disclaimer? Those claiming paranormal powers use...
Feline Marijuana Courier Nabbed in Moldova
The notion of a marijuana-delivering cat sounds like the premise of a show on Cartoon Network's stoner-friendly "Adult Swim," but such a magical feline really exists in Moldova. Although cats are not exactly known for following instructions, someone in Moldova managed...
Pennsylvania Criminal Procedure: What is a Nolo Contendre Plea?
If a defendant, opts not to go to trial, he can either plead guilty or nolo contendre. A nolo contendre plea is also called a plea of "no contest." With a guilty plea, a defendant admits that he committed the offenses to which he is pleading guilty. With a nolo...
Marijuana is Legal in North Korea
As shocking as it may seem, marijuana is legal in North Korea, widely considered to be the most oppressive society on Earth. Given the fact that North Koreans are sentenced by Orwellian courts to death or lengthy terms in Stalin-style gulags for the most trivial...
What are Narcotic Drugs?
Perhaps the most misused term in the world of criminal law is "narcotics." Many people who should know better, such as police officers, prosecutors, judges, defense attorneys and crime beat reporters, use the term "narcotic" as a synonym for any illegal drug. Thus, in...
Stripper Assaults Patron in Breach of Strip Club Etiquette
A 25 year old South Carolina stripper has been charged with misdemeanor assault after striking a 31 year old strip club patron in the face five or six times. It appears that both Nicole Passmore (stripper name not available) and Earnest Kadlick both violated well...
Pennsylvania Coach and Teacher Charged with Drug Paraphernalia Keeps Positions
In a moment of sanity among elected officials, the South Middleton School Board unanimously voted to retain Boiling Springs wrestling coach and driver's ed teacher Rodney Wright, who has a pending charge of possession of drug paraphernalia. This is a welcome decision...
Pennsylvania Coach and Teacher Charged with Drug Paraphernalia Keeps Positions
In a moment of sanity among elected officials, the South Middleton School Board unanimously voted to retain Boiling Springs wrestling coach and driver's ed teacher Rodney Wright, who has a pending charge of possession of drug paraphernalia. This is a welcome decision...
Public Drunkenness and Indecent Exposure Charges Arise From Alcohol Overdose
As a criminal defense lawyer in the same community as Penn State, I have represented my share of students who manage to tack on additional charges after being sent to Mount Nittany Medical Center following an arrest for public drunkenness and/ or underage drinking....