General

Program Can Reduce Mandatory Sentences in Pennsylvania Drug Cases

By Jason Dunkle on G+ Like many states, Pennsylvania faces prison overcrowding issues, and the problem is being dealt with in two ways: 1) the construction of additional prisons; and 2) the early release of some non-violent offenders. The Pennsylvania legislature passed the Recidivism Risk Reduction Incentive Act,  commonly referred to as RRRI, to allow… view more

Underage Drinker Sent to Jail for Dropping Drawers in Court

By Jason Dunkle on G+ A minor appeared in court for an Underage Drinking charge and had with his pants hanging a bit low, and the judge repeatedly told him to pull his pants up to his waist. The teenager didn’t dress appropriately for court in the first place as he showed up in sweatpants,… view more

Inmate on Road Work Crew Gets Marijuana Delivery

I thought that I had heard of almost everything, but a state correctional inmate receiving a marijuana delivery while working on a road crew was a new one. A Florida inmate was working with other inmates when a black Dodge Charger drove by and something was tossed out the window. The inmate picked up the… view more

Pennsylvania Superior Court Rules Drug Mandatory Sentences Are Unconstitutional

I believe that it is undisputed that the current drug-related mandatory minimum sentences in Pennsylvania, like the “drug-free school zone” and “drug trafficking,” are unconstitutional. The laws as written do not require a prosecutor to actually charge a person with the mandatory, and prosecutors are not required to prove applicability of the drug mandatory sentences… view more

Pennsylvania District Attorneys Are Gatekeepers to First-Time Offender Program Called ARD

A recent Dauphin County case has brought attention to who decides whether a person charged with a criminal offense is permitted to participate in a pretrial diversionary or first-time offender program known as Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition, commonly called “ARD.” With the ARD program, a person pleads not guilty to the criminal charges, but the person… view more

Penn State Football Continues Winning Trend

By Jason Dunkle on G+ The Penn State football team’s dominant win at Iowa not only extended Penn State’s winning streak to 5 games, but it was also Penn State’s first win in Iowa City in 13 years.  After dropping the first 2 games of the season to teams that the Nittany Lions were expected… view more