General
Fake ID to Law Enforcement Charge – Routine Occurrence in State CollegePosted in False Identification, General on January 12, 2015
By Jason Dunkle on G+ When mentioning False Identification to Law Enforcement, I am not meaning the routine situation in Centre County involving an underage person possessing a fake ID that is being used to buy alcohol. While such offenses are routinely filed by the State College police as Penn State students and their friends… view more
Proposed Increase in Fine for Underage Drinking Awaiting Governor’s SignaturePosted in General on January 12, 2015
By Jason Dunkle on G+ Both chambers of the Pennsylvania legislature recently passed a proposal to increase the maximum fine permitted for Underage Drinking and Public Drunkenness charges to $1,000.00. For those that happen to remember the 1980’s School House Rocks series, the proposal is now a bill that is awaiting the signature of the… view more
In a Pennsylvania DUI Investigation, Should I Perform Field Sobriety Tests?Posted in General on January 12, 2015
By Jason Dunkle on G+ As a State College criminal defense attorney, I am frequently asked by friends, family, and DUI clients, whether or not a person suspected of driving under the influence should attempt to perform field sobriety tests. Actually, the first question is whether or not a person is required to perform field… view more
State College Keg Toss Incident – What Criminal Charges Could Be Filed?Posted in General on January 12, 2015
By Jason Dunkle on G+ According to an online newspaper article, someone threw a keg from the balcony of a downtown State College 7th floor apartment. Luckily no people were injured, but at least one vehicle was severely damaged. The keg was tossed around 12:55 a.m. on a Saturday morning, and, although most people are in… view more
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
Pennsylvania Contraband Charge Justified by Possession of Small Amount of MarijuanaPosted in General on January 12, 2015
By Jason Dunkle on G+ People may generally know that contraband is something that a person is not legally permitted to have. At Centre County ARD placements, I routinely hear the judge order the destruction of contraband, which normally means destroying the marijuana and related paraphernalia that had been possessed by a Penn State University… view more
Drunk Driver Flees Scene of Accident in Child’s Power Wheel TruckPosted in General on January 12, 2015
By Jason Dunkle on G+ I recently came across an article about a DUI case that was very different on many fronts. Instead of being a typical driving under the influence situation in which the driver is swerving all over the road, the police conduct a traffic stop that leads to administration of field sobriety… view more
Boyfriend Gets Red Nose on Christmas Eve After Being Bitten by GirlfriendPosted in Assault, General on January 12, 2015
A Western Pennsylvania man forgot to stop at the store and pick up something for his girlfriend. What man hasn’t forgotten a birthday or anniversary? In this case, the oversight was just barbeque sauce. Maybe the sauce was for the roast beast that was cooking in the home for Christmas, and maybe the girlfriend was… view more