General
Detention or Custody in State College DUI InvestigationPosted in Centre County DUI, General on January 12, 2015
By Jason Dunkle on G+ In a recent blog, I discussed when police-citizen interactions are investigative detentions or custodial situations, and I reviewed a typical Penn State marijuana possession investigation to show both concepts in a practical situation. I also noted that the distinction between a mere encounter and custody can be important for 5th… view more
Should Penn State Adopt a Policy Guiding Athletes’ Use of Social Media?Posted in General, Penn State on January 12, 2015
By Jason Dunkle on G+ As a State College criminal defense lawyer, I often use social media, like Twitter, Google +, and Facebook, to help promote my criminal defense firm. While I try to be interesting, I also avoid offensive or controversial topics. We all have heard horror stories of people that posted something improper… view more
Unconventional Use for Toothpaste – Avoid Speeding TicketsPosted in General on January 12, 2015
By Jason Dunkle on G+ I like those books and posts on the web that tell you that normal households products can be used to fix some problems, such as white vinegar being used to clean hard water deposits from coffee makers. I recently came across an article that found a new use for toothpaste… view more
State College Criminal Investigation – One Punch Ban Be Felony Aggravated AssaultPosted in General on January 12, 2015
By Jason Dunkle on G+ According to the Centre Daily Times, a Penn State student was physically assaulted and suffered a skull fracture. It is alleged that the student was only struck one time, but the punch caused the Penn State student to fall and most likely strike his head on the road or sidewalk…. view more
Penn State Fake ID Case – Providing Someone Else’s Identifying InformationPosted in False Identification, General on January 12, 2015
By Jason Dunkle on G+ According to an Ohio newspaper, a man was being investigated for a criminal offense, and the man, hoping to avoid criminal charges, provided a fake ID to the police. More specifically, the suspect provided the identifying information of another person, including the other person’s social security number. As irony would have… view more
Can Police Enter an Underage Drinking Party Without a Warrant?Posted in General on January 12, 2015
By Jason Dunkle on G+ Many Penn State students wonder if the police can enter an apartment without a warrant to stop an underage drinking party. Pennsylvania courts have considered both such a situation and expressly held that the police generally can not enter the apartment without a warrant to conduct an Underage Drinking or… view more
Man Represents Self, Appears in Wrong Courtroom, Appeals DismissedPosted in Appeal, General on January 12, 2015
By Jason Dunkle on G+ I am routinely asked the question as to whether a person needs to hire an attorney, and, while the answer is that a person does not “need” an attorney, people often learn the hardway that they should have retained a lawyer. Sadly, a man recently had his appeals dismissed by… view more
Mifflin County Aggravated Assault Charges Against Pregnant Woman Suspected Of Heroin OverdosePosted in Assault, General on January 12, 2015
By Jason Dunkle on G+ In what I believe is a legal first in Pennsylvania, police filed Mifflin County Aggravated Assault charges against a pregnant Lewistown woman who was found unresponsive in her bedroom after an apparent heroin overdose. The police are claiming that the woman assaulted or attempted to assault her unborn child by… view more
State College Cabbie Gets Illegal Payment of Marijuana from PassengerPosted in General on January 12, 2015
By Jason Dunkle on G+ I am used to people giving me tips that I do not want, such as my father-in-law telling me to never eat the yellow snow. A State College taxi driver was also recently given a tip that he didn’t want, a small amount of marijuana. While marijuana is legal or… view more
Pennsylvania Man Claims He Was Justified in Driving Drunk to Escape AssaultPosted in General on January 12, 2015
By Jason Dunkle on G+ I recently posted an article about a Florida man who argued that he should be found not guilty of driving under the influence because he had to get behind the wheel to drive a cat to an emergency veterinary clinic. Over the years, people have asked me as a Penn… view more