Commonwealth v. Joseph Abraham  2010 PA Super 104 (6/08/2010) Topic: Ineffective Assistance of Counsel – PCRA – Collateral Consequences Summary: In view of the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling in Padilla v. Kentucky, the fact that a consequence of a conviction is a collateral one will not protect an attorney from an ineffective assistance of counsel claim.  To be effective, an attorney must inform his client of any consequences...

Commonwealth v. Antoine Ligons J-121-2007 (5/27/2009) Majority Opinion by Justice Baer (joined by Justice Todd, joined by Justice Saylor in parts I-IV, VI, and VIII; joined by Chief Justice Castille, Justice Eakin and Justice McCaffery in parts I, the first half of part V, and the first half of part VII); Concurring Opinion by Chief Justice Castille (joined by Justice Eakin and Justice McCaffery); Concurring and Dissenting Opinion by Justice...

Commonwealth v. Dwayne Brown 2009 PA Super 69 (4/15/2009) Topic: PCRA-Ineffective Assistance of Counsel – Conflict of Interest Summary: Although dual representation does not create an automatic conflict of interest, an attorney who attempts to represent multiple parties must obtain the defendants’ consent before attempting dual representation. Further, the fact that one of the co-defendants received a more lenient sentence does not...