An arrest can leave people feeling overwhelmed and uncertain about their rights and future. Legal troubles can hang like a cloud over defendants and their families. Knowing what to expect next in the process can help in being better prepared. In Pennsylvania, the process that unfolds after an arrest involves various steps, each designed to uphold the rights of the accused. Understanding the distinction between detainment and arrest, knowing your rights post-arrest, and being aware of the options regarding phone calls and bail are crucial aspects of this process. Detainment vs. Arrest Detainmen ..read more

Will Ruling End Debate Over Skill Games in Pennsylvania? In a 7-0 decision on November 30, 2023, the court upheld a Dauphin County judge’s finding earlier this year that the skill games are not slot machines or illegal gambling devices, but that the devices developed by Pace-O-Matic are actually “skill games”, meaning they require a level of skill to win and do not rely on chance alone. Commonly branded in Pennsylvania as “Pennsylvania Skill”, the machines are popular inside many sports bars, gas stations, and convenience stores. The debate over their legality has been ongoing for nearly seven ..read more

The Allegheny County DUI Hotel Program: What is it and who is it for? The Pittsburgh DUI Hotel Program is an initiative to provide an alternative to traditional incarceration for individuals charged with DUI offenses in Allegheny County Pennsylvania. It aims to offer rehabilitation and a chance to address the root causes of DUI offenses. And instead of a jail sentence and license suspension – in which people may end up losing their jobs, offenders can complete the program in one weekend. This program is for first-time DUI offenders. It is a four-day, three-night treatment program in which offe ..read more

  Two Separate Incidents – 10,000 Doses of Fentanyl Seized in Pittsburgh. Acting Attorney General Michelle Henry announced two major fentanyl seizures in Pittsburgh, highlighting the ongoing efforts to combat the deadly opioid crisis in Pennsylvania. According to her statement, 962 bricks of fentanyl were seized in Pittsburgh by Bureau of Narcotics Investigation Region V and Drug Control agents. Fentanyl, a powerful synthetic opioid, is responsible for a significant portion of overdose deaths in Pennsylvania. The seizure, which occurred in separate incidents, resulted in the confiscation ..read more

The United States military personnel face extraordinary challenges during their service, from the rigors of deployment to the trauma of combat. Many vets return home with mental and physical health issues that can lead to difficulties in their personal and professional lives. Unfortunately, some veterans end up in the criminal justice system as a result of their struggles. However, in Allegheny County, there is a court specifically designed to help veterans get back on track. The Allegheny County Veterans Court is a specialized program that provides a second chance for veterans who have become ..read more

The death penalty in Pennsylvania still exists, but no one has been executed in nearly 24 years. In an announcement at Mosaic Community Church in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro called on the PA General Assembly to abolish the death penalty. He added he would not issue any execution warrants, extending the moratorium on the death penalty by his predecessor. Governor Shapiro reiterated that the death penalty, as it currently stands in Pennsylvania, is only issued in guilty cases of first-degree murder, where there are also aggravating factors at the time of the crime. And even ..read more

Will Ruling End Debate Over Skill Games in Pennsylvania? In a 7-0 decision on November 30, 2023, the court upheld a Dauphin County judge’s finding earlier this year that the skill games are not slot machines or illegal gambling devices, but that the devices developed by Pace-O-Matic are actually “skill games”, meaning they require a level of skill to win and do not rely on chance alone. Commonly branded in Pennsylvania as “Pennsylvania Skill”, the machines are popular inside many sports bars, gas stations, and convenience stores. The debate over their legality has been ongoing for nearly seven ..read more

The Allegheny County DUI Hotel Program: What is it and who is it for? The Pittsburgh DUI Hotel Program is an initiative to provide an alternative to traditional incarceration for individuals charged with DUI offenses in Allegheny County Pennsylvania. It aims to offer rehabilitation and a chance to address the root causes of DUI offenses. And instead of a jail sentence and license suspension – in which people may end up losing their jobs, offenders can complete the program in one weekend. This program is for first-time DUI offenders. It is a four-day, three-night treatment program in which offe ..read more

  Two Separate Incidents – 10,000 Doses of Fentanyl Seized in Pittsburgh. Acting Attorney General Michelle Henry announced two major fentanyl seizures in Pittsburgh, highlighting the ongoing efforts to combat the deadly opioid crisis in Pennsylvania. According to her statement, 962 bricks of fentanyl were seized in Pittsburgh by Bureau of Narcotics Investigation Region V and Drug Control agents. Fentanyl, a powerful synthetic opioid, is responsible for a significant portion of overdose deaths in Pennsylvania. The seizure, which occurred in separate incidents, resulted in the confiscation ..read more

The United States military personnel face extraordinary challenges during their service, from the rigors of deployment to the trauma of combat. Many vets return home with mental and physical health issues that can lead to difficulties in their personal and professional lives. Unfortunately, some veterans end up in the criminal justice system as a result of their struggles. However, in Allegheny County, there is a court specifically designed to help veterans get back on track. The Allegheny County Veterans Court is a specialized program that provides a second chance for veterans who have become ..read more