General
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
Soccer Ref Dies After Being Assaulted – Possible Murder Charge?Posted in General on January 12, 2015
A 46 year old Utah soccer referee recently died after being assaulted by a 17 year old player in a recreational soccer league. The 17 year old disagreed with the referee’s issuance of a yellow car and showed his displeasure by punching the ref one time in the head. The ref initially complained of being… view more
Woman Charged with Corruption of Minors After Using Teen’s Urine to Pass Drug TestPosted in Corruption of Minors, General on January 12, 2015
By Jason Dunkle on G+ Criminal charges were recently filed in a Centre County court against a Philipsburg woman after allegedly obtaining urine from a teenager and submitting that urine to Children and Youth Services (CYS) to pass a drug test. How does one segway to a conversation about borrowing some urine? Possibly a posting… view more
Pennsylvania Contraband Charge Justified by Possession of Small Amount of MarijuanaPosted in General on January 12, 2015
By Jason Dunkle on G+ People may generally know that contraband is something that a person is not legally permitted to have. At Centre County ARD placements, I routinely hear the judge order the destruction of contraband, which normally means destroying the marijuana and related paraphernalia that had been possessed by a Penn State University… view more
Drunk Driver Flees Scene of Accident in Child’s Power Wheel TruckPosted in General on January 12, 2015
By Jason Dunkle on G+ I recently came across an article about a DUI case that was very different on many fronts. Instead of being a typical driving under the influence situation in which the driver is swerving all over the road, the police conduct a traffic stop that leads to administration of field sobriety… view more