Juvenile offenders who were previously sentenced to mandatory life without parole may now seek resentencing by a trial court. A January 2016 decision by the Supreme Court in Montgomery v Louisiana now allows juvenile offenders to appeal their life without parole sentence. This ruling is particularly contentious here in Pennsylvania as current PA law does not allow
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MAKING A MURDERER: CRIMINAL JUSTICE IN POPULAR CULTURE
Making a Murderer, the new documentary series from the popular streaming site Netflix has ignited a firestorm of national conversation about the criminal justice system in America. Exploring the controversial and confusing case of Steven Avery, filmmakers Laura Ricciardi and Moira Demos have raised questions about the responsibilities of prosecutors and police and captured the
DRUG DOGS AND TRAFFIC STOPS
A traffic stop can put fear in the average driver for a variety of reasons. At first, it may be unclear why an officer pulled you over. Were you speeding or swerving in and out of lanes? Did you miss a turn signal or stop sign? Is one of your taillights out? As we all
GOOD SAMARITAN POLICY IN PENNSYLVANIA
Penn State is consistently recognized as one of the top party schools in the country and alcohol consumption is a consistent part of college life here in State College. However, sometimes students drink too much, and friends resist calling for help due to concerns about being cited with an underage drinking violation. But what people
PENNSYLVANIA LAWMAKERS SEEK EXPANSION OF “REVENGE PORN” LAW
Just over a year ago, Pennsylvania joined over 25 states in passing what is commonly known as “revenge porn” laws. Generally, these laws criminalize the dissemination of explicit photographs by former romantic partners. Now, with the Pennsylvania law on the books for less than a year, state lawmakers are considering expanding the law. The push
Motorcycle Accidents
Many people consider motorcycles to be unsafe – they’re too fast and unprotected, and they’re risky for those who use them and who share the road with them. It is true that when a motorcycle and a car collide, the motorcycle usually bears the brunt of the damage and the bike rider typically sustains more severe injuries. However, it
DRUNK…BUT NOT DRIVING
Many college students may think that if they drink in their rooms or at parties within walking distance from their dorms, they are safe from being charged with alcohol-related crimes because they are not driving. While it’s true that drunk driving is one of the biggest alcohol-related crimes a person can be charged with, it’s
SCHOOL ZONE DRUG DEALING: COURT STRIKES DOWN MANDATORY MINIMUM SENTENCES
Over the summer, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court struck down the existing law that imposes mandatory minimum sentencing for anyone charged with delivering or possessing with intent to deliver drugs near a school zone. Originally, the minimum sentence requirement was two years in jail for anyone caught within 1,000 feet of a school. The Supreme Court
PENN STATE THON CANNING TIPS TO STAY SAFE
Choosing to participate in THON is a wonderful decision, and participating in a canning trip is a fantastic way to help FTK, and to have a great time! When canning, it is very important to be safe, and to obey all laws in order to have a fun, productive trip. At the attorneys at Rehmeyer &
Products Liability: General Motors Pays $900 Million to Settle Defective Ignition Switches
Today, General Motors has agreed to a $900 million settlement and agreed to admit to misleading the public about vehicle safety amid defective ignition switches within some of their vehicles. This criminal settlement is just the latest announced by the Justice Department against corporations; which also includes Toyota and JPMorgan Chase. Tied to over 120 deaths, problems with the ignition switch could shut off the car