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Prosecutor Fired After Trying to Convince Witnesses to Change TestimonyPosted in Legal Ethics on January 12, 2015
As a State College criminal defense lawyer since 2004, I have heard many stories of lawyers, both prosecutors and defense attorneys, and judges behaving badly and violating ethical rules, but the recent actions of a prosecutor surprised even me. A prosecutor wanted to ensure a victory in a murder case that he was handling, and… view more
Failure To Mirandize In State College Drug Possession CasePosted in Constitutional Rights,General on January 12, 2015
A Centre County judge recently issued an opinion in a State College misdemeanor drug possession case in which the criminal defense lawyer sought suppression of statements made by the defendant because the officer did not advise the defendant of her Miranda warnings. The judge’s decision granted the suppression of some statements, but the judge also felt… view more
Real Life Grinch Charged With Public DrunkennessPosted in General on January 12, 2015
By Jason Dunkle on G+ At a parade in Canada, a drunk man with a Grinch-like hairdo pulled a Grinch-esque stunt by telling children nearby that Santa wasn’t real. The man was cited with causing a disturbance by being drunk, which is probably equivalent to a summary charge of Public Drunkenness in Pennsylvania. As a… view more
Should Private Ownership of Firearms Be Banned in the United States?Posted in Constitutional Rights,General on January 12, 2015
By Jason Dunkle on G+ During the halftime break of the Sunday night football game, Bob Costas read and put his support behind a newspaper editorial that basically blamed the recent murder-suicide tragedy in Kansas City on gun ownership and called for a ban on firearms. In case you didn’t read about the incident, it… view more
State College Keg Toss Incident – What Criminal Charges Could Be Filed?Posted in General on January 12, 2015
By Jason Dunkle on G+ According to an online newspaper article, someone threw a keg from the balcony of a downtown State College 7th floor apartment. Luckily no people were injured, but at least one vehicle was severely damaged. The keg was tossed around 12:55 a.m. on a Saturday morning, and, although most people are in… view more
Proposed Increase in Fine for Underage Drinking Awaiting Governor’s SignaturePosted in General on January 12, 2015
By Jason Dunkle on G+ Both chambers of the Pennsylvania legislature recently passed a proposal to increase the maximum fine permitted for Underage Drinking and Public Drunkenness charges to $1,000.00. For those that happen to remember the 1980’s School House Rocks series, the proposal is now a bill that is awaiting the signature of the… view more
Pittsburgh DUI – How Many Drinks to Reach .19% Blood Alcohol LevelPosted in Centre County DUI,General on January 12, 2015
By Jason Dunkle on G+ According to news reports in Pittsburgh, a rookie Pittsburgh Steeler’s player was charged with many criminal offense s, including felony counts of Fleeing and Eluding, Aggravated Assault while DUI, and Aggravated Assault, as well as misdemeanor charges of DUI and Resisting Arrest. It is alleged that the player refused to… view more
Fake ID to Law Enforcement Charge – Routine Occurrence in State CollegePosted in False Identification,General on January 12, 2015
By Jason Dunkle on G+ When mentioning False Identification to Law Enforcement, I am not meaning the routine situation in Centre County involving an underage person possessing a fake ID that is being used to buy alcohol. While such offenses are routinely filed by the State College police as Penn State students and their friends… view more
Date Rape Drug-Detecting Cups at Penn State Parties?Posted in General on January 12, 2015
By Jason Dunkle on G+ A Boston company claims to have made a material that changes color when it comes into contact with date rape drugs. The creator is hoping to use the material to create cups, stirrers, and straws that would alert a drinker that someone had slipped a date rape drug into a… view more
Penn State Student’s Return to Happy Valley Starts Badly, Sent to Jail With Aggravated Assault ChargesPosted in Assault,General on January 12, 2015
By Jason Dunkle on G+ A Penn State student returned to State College to start the fall semester, and, not unlike many other returning upperclassmen, chose to catch up with friends the weekend before the start of classes by having a few drinks. This young man’s weekend allegedly took a turn for the worse when… view more