If you are ever stopped while driving by an officer in Pennyslvania and that officer suspects that you may have been drinking, you might be asked to perform a few tests. These are called field sobriety tests. Contrary to what many people may believe, these tests cannot prove that you are drunk. According to FieldSobrietyTests.org, the intended purpose of these tests is to give a law enforcement officer enough evidence that suggests you might be drunk. Armed with this evidence, the officer may then arrest you and charge you with suspected drunk driving.
The walk and turn field sobriety test
Pennsylvania's Drug Overdose Response Immunity Law
Most people are aware of the devastation caused by the recent opioid epidemic. In many communities, there has been a steady increase in the number of overdose deaths each year. Many who have died could have been saved if prompt medical treatment was received. And in some of those cases, medical treatment was not received because a friend or family member, who may not have realized the seriousness of the situation, failed to call 911 out of concern that criminal charges would be filed. In response, the Pennsylvania General Assembly enacted the Drug Overdose Response Immunity Law, 35 P.S. § 780-113.7.
Bankruptcy and a new mortgage
Many Pennsylvania residents who struggle with financial problems may feel hesitant about pursuing bankruptcy to help them get a fresh financial start in part because they fear that they would be unable to get a new mortgage someday. That, however, is not true. While there may be some extra steps involved, it is possible to buy a new home or refinance an existing home even with a bankruptcy on a record.
Assault vs. aggravated assault vs. battery
While many people use the terms "battery" and "assault" interchangeably, there is a significant difference. This is why it is so important to learn the legal definitions of both in the state of Pennsylvania.
Right to a Speedy Trial - PA Rule of Criminal Procedure 600
A person charged with a crime has a right to a speedy trial under Article I, Section 9 of the Pennsylvania Constitution and the Sixth Amendment to the United States Constitution. While neither Section specifies the time within which a criminal defendant must be brought to trial, the Pennsylvania Criminal Procedural Rules Committee has adopted Rule 600 (formerly Rule 1100) which sets forth when a defendant must be brought to trial in various situations.
The basics of a Chapter 13 bankruptcy
If you find yourself strugling with how to pay your bills and feel that they only seem to increase every month despite your efforts to make payments on them, you are far from alone. Many people in Pennsylvania are in a similar situation. For some, a bankruptcy may offer a good solution to the problem and provide a fresh financial start. However, before you jump too fast to get a bankruptcy filing started, you should learn about how a Chapter 13 plan works as it is different than a Chapter 7 plan.
Understanding the prudent investor rule
Greensburg residents spend much of their lifetimes accumulating assets for the benefit of their beneficiaries. Placing such assets into a trust can generate income for said beneficiaries on top of already established trust assets. One of the main ways to build such income is through investments. While this can pay off in a big way, it opens the door for uncertainty based off a trustee's investment acumen.
