General
Centre County DUI Suspect Arrested for Driving Stolen John Deere TractorPosted in Centre County DUI, General on January 12, 2015
Common sense tells a person that he should not do something to draw the attention of the police if the person is engaging in criminal activity. According to a recent online article, a man was stopped in Centre County after he was found riding a stolen, full-sized John Deere tractor from the Pleasant Gap Uni-Mart,… view more
Police Officers Admit to Getting High from Marijuana at OfficePosted in General, Penn State Marijuana Possession on January 12, 2015
As a criminal defense lawyer in State College since 2004, I have dealt with members of the Centre County Drug Task Force, agents with the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office, and general officers of the local police departments on marijuana cases. I have used the much repeated joke over the years that the officers probably “field… view more
Man Was too Drunk to Get Married, Arrested for Disorderly ConductPosted in General, Public Drunkenness on January 12, 2015
I have heard many stories of a groom getting a bit too drunk at a reception. I have even heard stories of some men having a few drinks to calm their nerves before the actual wedding. An Australian man was recently told by the pastor that the man was too drunk to get married, and… view more
Centre County DA Loses Another Appeal in Megan’s Law CasePosted in General on January 12, 2015
In December of 2012, a law known as SORNA became effective and modified the reporting requirements under what is commonly referred to as Megan’s Law. Megan’s Law set forth an exhaustive list of offenses that required any person convicted of or having pleaded guilty to such an offense to provide information to the Pennsylvania State… view more
Man Cannot Wait for Bar to Open, Breaks in and Takes Seat at TablePosted in General on January 12, 2015
A man couldn’t wait for a McKean County bar to open, so he decided to let himself in through a window. The bar owner had noticed the man wandering around the establishment and had contacted police, but by the time law enforcement arrived, the man had already entered the bar and passed out at a… view more
Attorney Charged With Possession After Marijuana Falls from Pocket in CourtPosted in General, Manufacturing Marijuana on January 12, 2015
A Connecticut attorney recently received a citation for drug possession after marijuana fell from his pocket while he was in court. According to a paralegal at the firm where the attorney worked, a parent had confiscated marijuana from her child, and the parent provided the marijuana to the attorney along with a request that the… view more
Westmoreland County Creates Drug Court to Combat Drug AddictionPosted in Drug Possession, General on January 12, 2015
Another Pennsylvania county has recognized that rehabilitative and therapeutic courts are a great way to treat addiction and thereby reduce recidivism. While drug addiction has always been a problem, the type of people who are becoming addicted is changing. Addiction has often been viewed as primarily affecting the lower class of citizens, but more and… view more
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