Criminal Restitution Civil Judgment in Pennsylvania
Did you know that if you’ve been convicted of a crime, you might have to compensate the victim for the financial losses resulting from your conduct? In Pennsylvania, you may face a criminal restitution civil judgment in addition to paying…
The Use of Police Scanners Is Legal in Pittsburgh and Pennsylvania
There are no regulations pertaining to the use of police scanners in either Pennsylvania or in Pittsburgh, so they’re effectively legal. In the past, people who wanted to listen to police and emergency service radio transmissions needed to purchase and…
How Is Police Video Footage Handled and Archived?
As you may have noticed, at Worgul, Sarna & Ness, Criminal Defense Attorneys, LLC, we think that police body cameras and the footage that they collect are one of the most important legal issues facing our country at this moment….
How Is Video Evidence Used in Criminal Cases?
There are many types of evidence that can be used to build a criminal case, but one of the most compelling types of evidence is video. When we can see something with our own eyes, it is usually very convincing….
Sentencing Alternatives and Conditional Dispositions in Pennsylvania Criminal Cases
According to the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections, alternative sentences and conditional dispositions (where charges are dropped after fulfilling certain requirements) through the State Intermediate Punishment (SIP) Program, pretrial diversion programs, and other sentencing option programs help reduce recidivism and save…
What Contributes to a Mistrial? … and What Does It Mean for My Case?
While most of us have heard the term “mistrial,” few people really understand what a mistrial means. A mistrial occurs when some error in the trial process makes justice impossible if the proceedings continue. Sometimes this means that the jury…
Warrantless Searches of Vehicles OK in Pennsylvania
While police need a warrant to search a home based on probable cause in Pennsylvania, a judge’s signature is not necessary for a search of a car anymore. A Pennsylvania Supreme Court Ruling last April determined that law enforcement in…
Trial By Judge or Trial By Jury – Things You Need to Consider
In the United States, every person has the right to a trial by jury when accused of a crime, but that doesn’t mean it is your only option. You can also choose a bench trial, or a trial by judge….
Site Design & SEO Information
I hear from clients, other attorneys in town, and lawyers looking to redesign their own website, “Great website!” And when it’s another lawyer, the next question is usually, “Who designed it?” or “Who’s handling your content and optimization?” To help…
License Suspensions in DUI Plea Deals
Last year, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court handed down a decision that could permanently change DUI plea negotiations. Before, most plea deals for DUI charges considered license suspensions to be one of the more minor concerns to work out with the…
