by Lea Bickerton | Mar 31, 2009 | Case Law Summaries, sentencing
Commonwealth v. Ede 529 MAL 2008 (3/26/2009)Topic: Recidivist Sentencing LawsSummary: In Commonwealth v. Ede, 949 A.2d 926 (Pa. Super. 2008), Ede was twice convicted of fleeing or eluding from law enforcement. However, Ede committed the second fleeing or eluding...
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 | Mar 24, 2009 | ACLU, Megan's Law, Residency Restrictions
United States District Court Judge Gary Lancaster has ruled that the sex offender residency restriction ordinance passed by Allegheny County is illegal. The restriction would have barred sex offenders registered under Megan’s Law from “residing within...
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 19, 2009 | Megan's Law, Proposed Laws, sentencing
Pennsylvania lawmakers are currently considering legislation that would require “ultra-violent” offenders to register under Megan’s Law. Under a Megan’s Law registry, members of the general public are able to see who the violent offenders are...
