by Lea Bickerton | Aug 25, 2009 | In the News, Judicial Misconduct
Former Luzerne County Juvenile Court judges Mark Ciavarella and Michael Conahan have withdrawn their guilty pleas. Under the plea agreement, Ciavarella and Conahan were to serve 87 months in prison. After concluding that the former judges did not comply with the terms...
by Lea Bickerton | Aug 23, 2009 | In the News, Mandatory Sentence, sentencing
Debra Erdley reports in the Sunday, August 23, 2009 Pittsburgh Tribune-Review that while “tough on crime” laws have served to increase prison populations, there has been no corresponding decrease in the crime rate. According to State Senator Stewart...
by Lea Bickerton | Apr 7, 2009 | In the News
The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that a 911 operator incorrectly noted that there were no weapons in the home where three City of Pittsburgh police officers were killed on Saturday, April 4th. According to the report, Margaret Poplawski told the 911 operator that...
by Lea Bickerton | Apr 4, 2009 | In the News
On Thursday, April 2nd, the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas issued an order limiting the number of postponements granted in the Criminal Division. According to the order, the district attorney and defense counsel will only permitted to request one postponement...
by Lea Bickerton | Mar 24, 2009 | In the News, Obscenity, Summary Offenses
In 2006, Pittsburgh Police Officer Brian Elledge cited David Hackbart with disorderly conduct for displaying his middle finger to Elledge and an unnamed motorist. After Hackbart filed suit in federal court, U.S. District Court Judge David Cercone ruled that displaying...
by Lea Bickerton | Mar 4, 2009 | In the News, Jail Conditions
In a move that will save Butler County, Pennsylvania over $20,000 per year, inmates in the Butler County Jail will receive access to LexisNexis. The computerized legal research system will allow the county meet its legal obligation to provide access to legal research...
