Character Evidence: Not to be taken lightly
“‘Evidence of good character is substantive and positive evidence, not a mere make weight to be considered in a doubtful case, and, . . . is an independent factor which may of itself engender…
Jury bias sees the light of day
The verdict has come down. Guilty! The accused is in disbelief. The question arises: why did the jury decide this way? How can this be? As is typical, defense counsel speaks to the jury…
License Suspension for Drug Convictions: Is that really a “conviction”?
Pennsylvania’s Vehicle Code mandates a driver’s license suspension of “any person . . . convict[ed] of any offense involving the possession, sale, delivery, offering for sale, holding for sale or…
Round Two: The Appeal
In 2010, the U.S. Department of Justice estimated that 69,348 state criminal appeals were resolved nationwide. On average, accounting for 143 appellate courts, that’s approximately 484 criminal…
The Motion to Suppress: A Necessary and Important Defense Tool.
“In the jealous regard for maintaining the integrity of individual rights, the [Supreme] Court gave life to Madison’s prediction that ‘independent tribunals of justice . . . will be naturally led to…
Surprise! The Life of a Criminal Case After a Preliminary Hearing
The preliminary hearing is a critical but often frustrating phase for defendants going through the criminal-justice system. While on the one hand the preliminary hearing can be a prime opportunity…
Anything You "Type" Can Be Used Against You
Social media is increasingly becoming a larger component of our lives. Because more of us are preserving our daily activities on various social media platforms, there is a concern that access to…
Protecting You From Your Past
Your past can haunt you! That’s true in life, and it can be true in the courtroom. Take Bill Cosby as an example. Bill Cosby is facing trial on sexual-assault charges related to one alleged victim.…