General
Mechanic Failed to Fix Brakes – Convicted of Reckless Endangering and Manslaughter After AccidentPosted in General, Recklessly Endangering Another Person on January 12, 2015
By Jason Dunkle on G+ A recent Pennsylvania Superior Court decision considered whether sufficient evidence was presented to support a mechanic’s convictions of Recklessly Endangering Another Person and Involuntary Manslaughter after the mechanic allegedly failed to fix brakes on a van. In the case, captioned Commonwealth v. Fabian, the mechanic worked for a company that… view more
Soccer Ref Dies After Being Assaulted – Possible Murder Charge?Posted in General on January 12, 2015
A 46 year old Utah soccer referee recently died after being assaulted by a 17 year old player in a recreational soccer league. The 17 year old disagreed with the referee’s issuance of a yellow car and showed his displeasure by punching the ref one time in the head. The ref initially complained of being… view more
Underage Drinking Party Near Pittsburgh Has Over 700 AttendeesPosted in General on January 12, 2015
By Jason Dunkle on G+ As a State College criminal defense attorney, I routinely deal with Underage Drinking and Furnishing Alcohol to Minors cases that stem from the police being called to Penn State parties that got out of control. However, a recent party in Fox Chapel near Pittsburgh has put a routine Penn State… view more
Penn State Police Claim That a Skateboard Is Not a “Vehicle” Under Pennsylvania LawPosted in General on January 12, 2015
By Jason Dunkle on G+ First, I must admit that everyone knows that a skateboard is not a “vehicle” under the commonly understood definition of the word. However, as I often explain to my criminal defense clients, the law often does not make sense. The legal definition of “vehicle” in Pennsylvania is much broader and… view more
Drunk Driver Crashes into Fire Truck Parked at DUI AccidentPosted in General on January 12, 2015
By Jason Dunkle on G+ A 29-year-old drunk driver with a blood alcohol concentration of .18% lost control of his vehicle and struck a power pole. Electrical workers were called to the scene to repair the pole and restore electricity, and, in order to protect the workers, a fire truck was parked in a manner… view more
Unruly Michigan Fan Resists Police, Gets Pepper Sprayed at Penn State Homecoming GamePosted in General, Public Drunkenness on January 12, 2015
By Jason Dunkle on G+ A story of an unruly Michigan fan at the Penn State-Michigan Homecoming Game has made some national news after police officers from State College and Penn State pepper sprayed and arrested the man. According to reports, the man was causing problems within Beaver Stadium and was asked by stadium personnel… view more
Drunk Man Ratted Out by Pet Parrot at DUI CheckpointPosted in General on January 12, 2015
A Mexico City man was recently stopped at a DUI checkpoint and asked to exit his car, after which the police heard a voice informing them that the man was drunk. After looking in the vehicle, the police discovered that the man had been ratted out by his pet parrot. The police then conducted a… view more
Serial Retail Thief – Stole Beer 54 times from Convenience StorePosted in General on January 12, 2015
An Arizona man was recently arrested after allegedly stealing beer from Circle K convenience stores 54 times over a 9-month period of time. The total value of the stolen beer was slightly under $7,000.00. The store employees had provided video of the thefts to the police, but the police were unable to identify the suspect…. view more
Ex-Judge Disbarred for Failing to Disclose Personal Relationship With ProsecutorPosted in General, Legal Ethics on January 12, 2015
I believe that everyone has heard that judges are to avoid “any appearance of impropriety.” This often means that if the judge has a personal relationship with attorneys, victims, police officers, or witnesses in a case, the judge discloses the relationship to the attorneys and considers recusing or removing him or herself from the case…. view more
Does Philadelphia’s Decriminalization of Marijuana Possession Change State LawPosted in Drug Possession, General on January 12, 2015
I am sure that many people have seen that Philadelphia is in the process of de-criminalizing the possession of less than 30 grams of marijuana for personal use. Decriminalization does not mean that marijuana possession is now completely legal in Philadelphia. Pennsylvania laws that prohibit the possession of marijuana for personal use are still valid… view more