Recent Posts in Community News

• Posted By James Lloyd 16-Feb-2013

  Can Juveniles Still Be Sentenced to Life in Prison Without the Possibility of Parole in Pennsylvania?

  What state has the most people serving life in prison without the possibility of parole for crimes they committed as juveniles? Pennsylvania. In fact, with more than 450 people serving life sentences for crimes they committed before their 18th ...

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• Posted By Timothy Tarpey 9-Feb-2013

  When Can a Person Claim Self Defense Under Pennsylvania’s Stand Your Ground Law?

  This week a small business owner in Northeast Philadelphia received a lot of attention when he shot and killed a robber. According to reports, a 19 year-old entered a deli in Northeast Philadelphia, pulled a gun, and ordered the woman working at the ...

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• Posted By Michael Parkinson 8-Feb-2013

  Pennsylvania Attorney General Closes Loophole that Allowed PA Residents to Carry Guns with Florida Permits

  For years, newspapers around the nation have been reporting on a loophole in Pennsylvania gun laws. The loophole allowed Pennsylvania residents to obtain a license to carry a concealed firearm issued by the state of Florida by mail. Florida would ...

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• Posted By Michael Parkinson 4-Feb-2013

  Philadelphia District Attorney Is Checking the Facebook Pages of Defendants and Victims – Straw Purchaser of Guns Faces Charges

  As we reported in earlier blogs, Philadelphia and the surrounding counties have been stepping up prosecutions of gun crimes including the illegal transfer of firearms from one person to another know as "straw purchases" by people referred ...

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• Posted By Michael Parkinson 31-Jan-2013

  Can a Child Under 18 Be Sent to Adult Prison In Pennsylvania for a First Offense?

  As a lawyer who handles the defense of juveniles facing criminal charges, one question I am frequently asked is whether a child under 18 years old be sent to adult prison or given an adult criminal record in Pennsylvania for a first offense ? The ...

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• Posted By Michael Parkinson 16-Jan-2013

  Tragedies Lead to Tougher Straw Purchase of Firearms Laws in PA — Philadelphia Man Faces 31 to 63 Year in Prison for Straw Purchases of Gun Used to Kill Officer Brad Fox

  The debate surrounding the Second Amendment’s “right to bear arms” rages on, and while the Federal Government may take steps in the coming months to curb the sale and availability of firearms, local authorities, especially in ...

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• Posted By Michael Parkinson 13-Oct-2012

  New Court Ruling Allows Colleges to See Juvenile Records

  Almost everyone I know would be shocked to find out that a college in Pennsylvania can find out about a juvenile crime. But after a recent ruling from the Pennsylvania Superior Court, it is true. If a child is found "delinquent", which is ...

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• Posted By Michael Parkinson 10-Oct-2012

  Witnesses' and Accomplices' Testimony Can Change Your Life — Make Sure an Attorney is Defending Your Rights

  In 1984, Terrance Williams of Philadelphia was sentenced to die for the murder of Amos Norwood. In September of 2012, Mr. Williams' execution was finally scheduled to occur. In October of 2012 Mr. Williams' 1984 accomplice stepped forward ...

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• Posted By Timothy Tarpey 5-Oct-2012

  Sentences for Gun Cases “Go Through the Roof” in Philadelphia

  Penalties for gun crimes in Philadelphia are much more severe thanks to a special interest group. The group CeaseFirePA created a Court Watch program which kicked onto high gear a year ago according to the organization’s director. The results ...

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