by Bickerton Law | Jul 22, 2022 | Blog, Blog Posts, Juvenile Issues, News
In the wake of a report showing how juvenile court fines, fees, and restitution often serve as insurmountable hurdles for youthful offenders, the Allegheny County Controller’s Office has announced that it will be using a grant to help some with outstanding...
by Bickerton Law | Jul 9, 2022 | Blog, In the News, Juvenile Issues, News
PHILADELPHIA, PA– Until September 29th, a new, expanded juvenile curfew is in effect in Philadelphia, PA. Under the previous curfew ordinance, anyone under 16 years old had to be indoors by 10:00 PM. With the new experimental ordinance, anyone under the age of 18 must...
by Lea Bickerton | May 24, 2011 | Blog, Blog Posts, Juvenile Issues, Proposed Laws, Sexting
The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that the Pennsylvania House of Representatives has passed a law designed to lower the criminal sanctions associated with teen sexting. Under the proposed law, anyone under the age of 18 who sends a sexually explicit depiction of...
by Lea Bickerton | Apr 16, 2009 | Juvenile Issues, Sex Crimes, Sexting
Beginning in July 2009, teens caught “sexting” may be charged with a federal sex crime. Under the Adam Walsh Act, any person who creates and/or sends a nude picture of a minor may be charged with a felony. In its current form, the law does not create an...
by Lea Bickerton | Mar 26, 2009 | Judicial Misconduct, Juvenile Issues
The Pennsylvania Supreme Court has expunged the convictions of hundreds of low-level offenders who entered pleas without counsel in the court of former Luzerne County Judge Mark Ciavarella. Civarella and former Luzerne County judge Michael Conahan pleaded guilty to...
by Lea Bickerton | Feb 12, 2009 | Jail Conditions, Judicial Misconduct, Juvenile Issues
Luzerne County, PA Judges Mark Ciavarella and Michael Conahan pleaded guilty to federal charges of “honest services fraud” and tax fraud. Both judges were removed from the bench in January.The guilty pleas were the result of Ciavarella and Conahan...
