General
Man Blames Vandalism Spree on Too Much Music and MasturbationPosted in Burglary, General on June 27, 2016
I represent many Penn State students who are charged with criminal offenses stemming from alcohol and drug related incidents. Some charges are directly related to drugs and alcohol, such as possession of marijuana, underage drinking, and public drunkenness. However, many of my clients are charged with offenses such as burglary and criminal trespass after having… view more
Ex-Judge Disbarred for Failing to Disclose Personal Relationship With ProsecutorPosted in General, Legal Ethics on January 12, 2015
I believe that everyone has heard that judges are to avoid “any appearance of impropriety.” This often means that if the judge has a personal relationship with attorneys, victims, police officers, or witnesses in a case, the judge discloses the relationship to the attorneys and considers recusing or removing him or herself from the case…. view more
Does Philadelphia’s Decriminalization of Marijuana Possession Change State LawPosted in Drug Possession, General on January 12, 2015
I am sure that many people have seen that Philadelphia is in the process of de-criminalizing the possession of less than 30 grams of marijuana for personal use. Decriminalization does not mean that marijuana possession is now completely legal in Philadelphia. Pennsylvania laws that prohibit the possession of marijuana for personal use are still valid… view more
Thin Ice – Burglars of Ice Fishing Shacks Caught After Falling Through IcePosted in Burglary, General on January 12, 2015
Some Wisconsin men made the very bad decision to break into and steal from numerous ice fishing shacks on the frozen Upper St. Croix Lake. Of course, when you are stealing heavy things like a television and an auger, you need to park your getaway vehicle close by to limit the physical strain. The problem… view more
Publically Drunk on Your Own Front PorchPosted in General, Public Drunkenness on January 12, 2015
The Iowa Supreme Court was tasked with considering whether or not a homeowner could be convicted of Public Drunkenness or Public Intoxication when the person was on the front porch of her own residence. According to an online article, the police were summoned to the residence to investigate a domestic incident. Upon arriving, they encountered… 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
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
In a Pennsylvania DUI Investigation, Should I Perform Field Sobriety Tests?Posted in General on January 12, 2015
By Jason Dunkle on G+ As a State College criminal defense attorney, I am frequently asked by friends, family, and DUI clients, whether or not a person suspected of driving under the influence should attempt to perform field sobriety tests. Actually, the first question is whether or not a person is required to perform field… 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
Mechanic Failed to Fix Brakes – Convicted of Reckless Endangering and Manslaughter After AccidentPosted in General, Recklessly Endangering Another Person on January 12, 2015
By Jason Dunkle on G+ A recent Pennsylvania Superior Court decision considered whether sufficient evidence was presented to support a mechanic’s convictions of Recklessly Endangering Another Person and Involuntary Manslaughter after the mechanic allegedly failed to fix brakes on a van. In the case, captioned Commonwealth v. Fabian, the mechanic worked for a company that… view more