State College Criminal Defense Law Blog
Why is stealing street signs a bad idea?
College is a time when you are learning to be an adult. You are just finding your independence. There are many decisions to make and many freedoms you may not be used to having. This is wonderful, but it also can lead to behavior that is detrimental to a productive...
How public intoxication charges affect college students
Drinking is a common occurrence both on campus after dark and on Pennsylvania streets. Public intoxication is a crime, but often does not have the same negative consequences as other alcohol-related incidents. The Pennsylvania General Assembly classifies public...
What is the penalty for a DUI with BAC of .16% or greater in PA?
According to the Pennsylvania Department of Motor Vehicles website, the state recognizes three tiers of DUIs: General Impairment, High BAC and Highest BAC. The state reserves the Highest BAC penalties for those who have a blood alcohol concentration level of .16% or...
Are there any DUI defense strategies that work?
Every parent sends their children off to college expecting them to obtain the education necessary to earn a job in the desired field in the future. Some expect their children to experiment with drugs, alcohol or some other questionable substance or behavior. Few, if...
What to do when a fight becomes an assault charge
You and your buddies have a few too many beers at the home opener. When the stadium crowd spills out into the streets, you end up exchanging words, and eventually fists, with another rowdy group. Next thing you know, an officer has arrested you for assault. Although...
Is asking about criminal history fair on college applications?
Many Pennsylvania colleges have a section on the application that asks about your criminal history. Some include your juvenile history as well. This a controversial section for many people who feel it is not fair to ask about criminal history. The U.S. Department of...
Can the REAL ID cards help stop fake IDs?
Many states are changing their driver's license to comply with federal standards that become a requirement soon. The new design for the Pennsylvania license is called a REAL ID. The idea behind this change to driver's licenses and state ID cards, according to The...
Fake ID: A ‘harmless prank’ that is a crime
Popular movies may portray the creation of a fake ID as a harmless prank, a rite of passage for those teen-agers hoping to pass themselves off as older than they really are. What those popular movies don’t show is the life-changing aspects of being convicted of a...
How a DUI affects college students
It’s Friday night and your college buddies suggest that you go out to the bar. You have plans the next morning, so you decide to drive so you can take off early. Instead, you end up having a few more drinks than you originally expected. Realizing that...
Pennsylvania man charged with assault over playground incident
Community members are often passionate about protecting their neighborhood. This often means being aware of the actions of others within the area and reporting anything suspicious or potentially illegal to the appropriate authorities. Unfortunately, a man in...
