Pennsylvania law provides for various factors to effect the minimum and maximum sentences upon conviction of certain offenses. One such factor that requires a minimum mandatory sentence is when the victim is an elderly person. This law states that any person under the age of 60 years old who is convicted of one of the following offenses when the victim is over the age of 60 years of age shall be sentenced to a mandatory term of imprisonment as follows:
2014 Amendment to Pennsylvania Driving Violations increases mandatory minimum sentence
Pennsylvania legislature passed an amendment in 2014 that significantly increased a mandatory minimum for anyone who violates 75 § 3742 - Accidents involving death or serious bodily injury. This new law increases the penalty from one year to three years for anyone who violates this section and a death results.
5 accused of involvement in Pennsylvania drug rings
Pennsylvania police officers took five people into custody in the Pittsburgh area on Jan. 12 after they were accused of being involved in a drug trafficking ring. One of the accused individuals, a 32-year-old man living in West Homestead, was believed to be a part of a motorcycle club that was known for operating a large prescription drug and cocaine ring.
Pennsylvania Rule regarding time limit for filing pretrial motions
Pennsylvania permits the filing of omnibus pretrial motions. These motions range in the type of the issues that can be challenged and the type of relief sought. For instance, one type of omnibus pretrial motion is known as a motion to suppress which is used to challenge the legality of police conduct and requests the court to preclude the Commonwealth from introducing evidence seized as a result of the police conduct. Another type of pretrial motion is a habeas motion which challenges the sufficiency of the evidence the Commonwealth introduced at the preliminary hearing and requests the court to dismiss some or all of the charges against the defendant.
Pennsylvania Rule regarding Severance of Offenses or Defendants
Pennsylvania Rules of Criminal Procedure permits a severance of charges or severance of defendants in criminal trials. This rule is generally made upon motion of the defense. This rule is permitted to be used if the moving party may be prejudiced by offenses or defendants being tried together.
Pennsylvania police find property containing meth lab
Police say that they discovered four people cooking meth in a home on Clark Street in Brookville on Dec. 23. They were responding to a call when they discovered the meth lab on the property. In addition to those allegedly cooking the meth, police say that there were two children under the age of five in the home.
DUI sentences in Chester County Recovery Court
Recovery Court in Chester County is available for Level 3 or 4 Offenders. Driving Under the Influence is a level 3 offense.
Chester County Recovery Court
Chester County offers a diversionary court program known as Recovery Court. This court is available to level 3 and 4 offenders who are drug and/or alcohol dependent. The benefit of this program is it minimizes jail time the offender is required to serve and provides the offender with long term and highly structured drug and alcohol treatment supervision.
