Here is how bail works in Pennsylvania: A Magisterial District Judge (MDJ) does determine if you are eligible for bail in Pennsylvania after an arrest. They set bail during your preliminary arraignment, where they will also read your charges, inform you of your...
You can use several methods to know if you have an arrest warrant in Pennsylvania. Contact the court presiding over your case or the county sheriff’s office. If you do not know where your case is located, speak with a Pennsylvania criminal defense attorney to help you...
Pennsylvania recognizes no minimum sentence for Homicide By Vehicle convictions. However, laws currently designate maximum sentences of up to seven years. Judges may also impose up to five additional years if the homicide occurred within an active work zone or during...
Prosecutors must demonstrate that you possessed a firearm with evidence of either actual possession or constructive possession. Actual possession is easier to prove because it means the firearm was on your person, like in your hand, in your waistband, or in a backpack...
Legal information is available online and accessible to the public on what to know about getting arrested by the Philadelphia police. You can learn about the process and potential outcomes and read statutes. However, this information cannot substitute individualized...
Yes, PA allows you to claim self-defense when charged with homicide. However, it only works if your actions were reasonable for the given circumstances. The law states that you can apply this defense if you believed the deadly force that cause the homicide was...
Jail sentences for violence against domestic partners in Pennsylvania depend on the crime committed. For example, a first-degree misdemeanor stalking conviction could result in up to five years of imprisonment, while a second-degree felony strangulation conviction...
Penalties for PA sexual assault depend on how the Commonwealth grades your charges. A first-degree felony statutory sexual assault conviction could result in up to twenty years in prison and fines of $25,000, while a second-degree sexual assault conviction could...
Insurance fraud could be a felony in PA if prosecutors can prove specific facts. The law lists specific criminal acts over which the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania has the authority to charge as third-degree felonies. Otherwise, acts of insurance fraud are first-degree...
The maximum penalty for rape in Pennsylvania includes up to 20 years imprisonment and fines of $25,000. The Commonwealth charges rape as a first-degree felony. Penalties could significantly increase based on other factors, such as the complainant’s age and the...