by Lea Bickerton | Sep 10, 2009 | In the News, Pittsburgh City Ordinances, Proposed Laws
Pittsburgh City Council is currently considering an ordinance that would issue a $500 fine to anyone caught urinating outdoors on public or private property. Under the current form of the ordinance, anyone who urinates on property with the owner’s consent would...
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Former Luzerne County Juvenile Court judges Mark Ciavarella and Michael Conahan have withdrawn their guilty pleas.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...
