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- What Happens if I’m Accused Of Being An Accomplice To A Crime?
Dec 9, 2020
You might believe criminal activities are perpetrated by one or a handful of malfeasance. However, other subjects known as accomplices could also play a significant role in executing such acts. William Brennan, a criminal defense attorney in Doylestown, PA, stresses that a legal concept known as accomplice liability is a major offense that could carry serious penalties. The Definition Of An Accomplice Pennsylvania law enforcement agencies might charge you as an accomplice if said organizations...Read More about What Happens if I’m Accused Of Being An Accomplice To A Crime? - If the Police Say They Can Drop My Charges if I Cooperate, Can I Trust Them?
Nov 25, 2020
When you’re facing an arrest, understandably, you want to have the charges lessened or dropped. This can be used against you, however, and police may use that to cause you to act out of desperation. If they’re trying to make a bargain of some kind, never take their words at face value. Exercise Caution Cops are not legally obligated to tell the truth. The nature of their job incentivizes them to make an arrest, not...Read More about If the Police Say They Can Drop My Charges if I Cooperate, Can I Trust Them? - Can Anyone Be Called as a Witness During My Trial?
Nov 18, 2020
As you’re preparing to go to trial there are many unknowns and uncertainties you may be wondering about. One of those things is probably who will be called to testify against you. There are three main categories of witnesses, and understanding what they are and what purpose their testimony serves can give you a better idea of what to expect in court. Lay Witness A lay witness, also often called an ‘eyewitness’, is the most...Read More about Can Anyone Be Called as a Witness During My Trial? - What Qualifies as Child Endangerment?
Oct 22, 2020
Watching children can be a hassle. They like to explore and get their hands on everything. Sometimes their adorable precocious nature gets them in trouble, other times they end up seriously injured. When that happens, you can be held accountable for child endangerment. Pennsylvania Statutes Endangering the Welfare of a Child, often called ‘EWOC’ for short, is the name for the criminal offense. The specific statutory language explains this in two ways. Under § 4304(a)(1)...Read More about What Qualifies as Child Endangerment? - How Do Bail Hearings Work?
Oct 14, 2020
The concept of ‘bail’ echoes our legal system’s premise that everyone is innocent until proven guilty. That is to say, no punishment can be given until a crime has been proven. The idea is to keep someone out of jail while awaiting their trial, as being confined in a cell for months can be construed as a form of punishment. Preliminary Arraignment Bail hearings are often referred to as ‘preliminary arraignments’, which occur after charges...Read More about How Do Bail Hearings Work? - How Long Can the Police Detain You Without a Charge?
Oct 5, 2020
Probable cause must be established for police to arrest an individual. Detainments, however, only require reasonable suspicions. The difference between being arrested and being detained is that the former means you are being formally charged with something, while the latter means you are being held. It is a temporary measure, usually done so that an investigation can take place. When appropriate, police may conduct a frisk search for weapons or other contraband they believe you...Read More about How Long Can the Police Detain You Without a Charge? - How to Avoid a Charge For Resisting Arrest
Sep 23, 2020
Encounters with law enforcement are rarely pleasant. Even when there are no other charges or accusations are brought against you, it’s still possible to be charged with resisting arrest. This extends to baseless charges; you can still be charged for resisting arrest even when you’ve done nothing wrong. Attitude and Behavior The quickest way to end up with a charge for resisting arrest is belligerent behavior. Sometimes law enforcement agents will berate or antagonize people...Read More about How to Avoid a Charge For Resisting Arrest - How to Avoid Incriminating Yourself
Sep 7, 2020
There’s no such thing as a friendly interrogation by the police. If you’ve been accused of a crime or your name has come up in an investigation, you have the responsibility to make sure that you don’t incriminate yourself. Below are a handful of ways to avoid doing so when speaking with the police. Don’t Volunteer Information The best way to avoid incriminating yourself is to stick to the questions that you are asked by...Read More about How to Avoid Incriminating Yourself - The Difference Between State and Federal Crimes
Sep 2, 2020
Being charged with a crime is never a positive life experience, but the level of the charge can make a major difference in the total impact a conviction may bring. One of the primary differences in criminal charges is the government level of filing. Anyone facing serious criminal charges on either side is fighting an uphill battle, but many defendants fare better in state cases than federal cases for the most part. Also, many charges...Read More about The Difference Between State and Federal Crimes - What is Criminal Homicide?
Jul 15, 2020
There is no offense more serious than a criminal homicide. This crime involves taking another human’s life, and so it involves the most serious penalties under Pennsylvania law. There are three main categories of homicide: murder, manslaughter, and justifiable homicide. We will help you to better understand the various types of charges you may face if you have been involved in a criminal homicide in Pennsylvania. Murder If the death of a victim was intentional...Read More about What is Criminal Homicide?