Possession with Intent to Deliver in PA: The Nuts & Bolts
Possession with intent to deliver narcotics, commonly referred to as PWID, is likely the most charged felony in Philadelphia. You [...]
Social Media is a Powerful Weapon in Court
The evidentiary trail from social media to a courtroom can be direct and devastating. An Oregon teenager learned that lesson the [...]
Criminals Beware: Big Brother & Others Are Watching You
In my previous blog post, I discussed how “big brother” uses technology to investigate crimes. Just weeks later, TV and news [...]
Can I Get My Criminal Record Expunged in Pennsylvania?
Would you run a marathon, leading the entire way only to get to the finish line ahead of the pack [...]
DUI in PA: That Casual Evening Out Can be Costly
As a DUI lawyer in Philadelphia, PA, I want to inform you that a pleasant evening with your friends at [...]
Miller Revisted: Batts Gives Juvenile Lifers New Life
In Pennsylvania, the law of the land prior to June 25, 2012, was that anyone convicted of first- or second-degree [...]
Technology Has Become Our Own “Big Brother”
The judge said, “Son, what is your alibi?…If you were somewhere else, then you won’t have to die.” Classic lyrics [...]
Actual or Constructive Possession: PA Law Punishes For Both
Client was charged with conspiracy and possession of contraband in a Philadelphia prison after his girlfriend brought marijuana into the [...]
Commonwealth v. P.B.; December 2012
Outcome: Not guilty of attempted murder, robbery, burglary and related felonies. Guilty only of gun possession after a jury trial. [...]
Commonwealth v. M.B.; November 2012
Outcome: Motion to suppress firearm granted and all charges withdrawn. M.B. was facing at least a4 year state sentence if [...]
To See or Not to See: The Unreliability of Eyewitness Testimony
Prosecutor: “You just identified the defendant as the person who robbed you at gunpoint. How sure are you?” Witness: “I’m 100% sure.” [...]
Court Strikes Down Mandatory Life Imprisonment for Juveniles
On June 25th, the US Supreme Court issued a ruling in Miller v. Alabama that bars mandatory “life without parole” sentences for juvenile offenders. The [...]
Megan’s Law Revisited: Retroactivity Clause Retroactively Removed
On July 9, 2012, I wrote about what I believed to be the extremely unfair and arguably unconstitutional retroactive application of [...]
Experts in Sex Offense Trials Take Away Job of Jury
Last week the Pennsylvania General Assembly unanimously approved and the Governor signed an amendment to 42 Pa.C.S. § 5920, which [...]
Commonwealth v. J.D.: May 2012
Outcome: Not guilty of gunpoint robbery following a jury trial. J.D. was facing a mandatory minimum 5-10 years of state [...]
Commonwealth v. M.N.; January 2012
Outcome: Not guilty of rape and related charges following a bench trial. M.N. was facing at least 5-10 years of [...]
Commonwealth v. D.W.; September 2009
Outcome: Not guilty of gunpoint robbery following a jury trial. D.W. was facing a mandatory minimum of 5-10 years of [...]
Commonwealth v. T.H.; June 2009
Outcome: Not guilty of Possession with intent to Deliver after a jury trial. T.H. was facing a 3-6 year state [...]
Commonwealth v. J.W.; February 2009
Outcome: Judgment of acquittal granted on narcotics and firearm charges. The entire case was dismissed against him before closing arguments. [...]
Commonwealth v. L.D.; February 2008
Outcome: Not guilty of domestic aggravated assault and related charges following a jury trial. L.D. faced a certain state sentence [...]