With the advent of modern forensic technology, hundreds of innocent individuals have been exonerated and released from prison. However, good technology to test physical evidence is useless if the evidence has been destroyed, discarded or is otherwise unavailable. In New Jersey, there has been an increased interest in preserving physical evidence. To read more, click […]
The Impact of High School Dropout Rates on Crime
With many adolescents being unable to complete their high school education, the question that often arises is: “What they are going to do to make a living.” Unfortunately, the answer to this many times is criminal activity. In addition, with unemployment on the rise, many young people may turn to illegal activity. Because of these […]
Stricter Gun Laws Passed
With the recent growth of violent crimes committed with handguns, Pennsylvania legislators have rushed to install tougher gun laws. The focus of the new gun bill is intended to reform two areas. The first reform will double the minimum sentence of violent firearms offenses committed against police officers. The second area of reform concerns “straw […]
The Economy May Have an Impact on Bulging Court Dockets in Philadelphia
With the growing financial crisis, crime is poised to return to levels only seen in other times of economic trouble. While crime rates nationally have fell greatly over the past decade, the recent growth of crime could potentially return America’s urban communities to levels of crime not seen in years. To read more about the […]
Hand Movements Not Enough to Justify Warrantless Search
The Pennsylvania Superior Court handed down a new case this month about warrantless searches of automobiles in In re O.J., 2008 Pa. Super. 234 (Oct. 1, 2008) (No, this case is not about O.J. Simpson, but it sure would be more fun if it were. It’s a juvenile case, so the minor’s name is protected […]