Criminal Defense Archives

Criminal Lawyer Update: Pennsylvania Superior Court Upholds the Privacy Protections of the Wiretap Act

Published on Jul 18, 2008

In the Superior Court’s recent decision in Commonwealth v. Deck, 2008 Pa. Super. 150 (Pa. Super. 2008), the Court strictly construes the provisions of the Wiretapping and Electronic Surveillance Act (“Wiretap Act”), 18 Pa.C.S. Sec. 5701 et seq. and upholds the privacy protections afforded by the statute for a defendant whose telephone conversation was illegally […]

Criminal Lawyer Update: Corroborating Informant Tips

Published on Jul 11, 2008

There’s a new case regarding informant tips and corroboration from the Superior Court of Pennsylvania, in Commonwealth v. Brown, 2008 Pa. Super. 138 (Pa. Super. 2008). The facts of this case are relatively straight forward. A “confidential” informant calls 911 and says “Tom” will be at an intersection, which is known as being busy, at […]

Pennsylvania Senate Confirms the Hon. Jane Cutler Greenspan to Vacant Supreme Court Seat

Published on Jul 7, 2008

On June 30, 2008, the Pennsylvania Senate confirmed Gov. Rendell’s nomination of Hon. Jane Cutler Greenspan to the open PA Supreme Court seat. Justice Greenspan will serve the balance of the term for the open seat. If you enjoyed this post, check out this article about criminal defense. Were You Charged with a Crime in […]

Governor Ed Rendell Expected to Announce the Hon. Jane Cutler Greenspan as PA Supreme Court Nominee

Published on Jun 19, 2008

The Legal Intelligencer reports today that Governor Edward G. Rendell is expected to announce the Hon. Jane Cutler Greenspan as a nominee for the empty seat on the Pennsylvania Supreme Court. Peter Hall, Rendell Considering Judge Greenspan for High Court Slot, The Legal Intelligencer, June 19, 2008 at 1. Judge Greenspan is a former Assistant […]

Criminal Lawyer Update: Mere Encounters of the Close Kind

Published on Jun 18, 2008

In a brand new opinion authored by Judge Stevens, the Pennsylvania Superior Court holds that the interaction between citizens and a police officer is a mere encounter, where the citizens are parked on the side of a road and the officer parks a patrol vehicle about 20 feet away and shines the headlights into the […]