Legal Blog

As experts in our craft we like to provide our past, current and future clients, as well as our community with resources to better help them navigate the complex world of criminal law. Whether you're seeking guidance in one of our practice areas, looking for practical tips to navigate legal challenges or simply finding a deeper understanding of your rights, our blog is designed to be a valuable resource to you.

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Please note, our legal blog is intended for informational purposes only. While we strive to offer accurate content, the legal landscape is constantly changing and no blog can substitute personalized advice and guidance of a qualified attorney. For a free consultation, please contact us directly.

How a Pennsylvania DUI Can Affect your Teaching Career

A DUI can be detrimental to a teacher’s career if not handled properly. The Pennsylvania School Code Section 111 requires teachers, principals, school nurses, coaches, cafeteria staff, janitors, and virtually any other employee of a school to disclose a DUI conviction to the school. This amendment became effective on September 28, 2011. With all school employment applications, Subsection (b) of Section 111 of the Pennsylvania School Code requires a criminal history report to be obtained from the Pennsylvania State Police.…

Underage DUI

Two Crimes  For The Price Of One If you are under the age of 21 and consumed alcohol before driving, you knew you were in trouble the moment you got pulled over and may face underage DUI charges. Driving under the influence is illegal in Pennsylvania, but so is underage drinking. What happens when you are accused of both? Underage DUIs The first thing you need to know is that any driver under the age of 21 who is arrested…

Medical Professionals Affected By A Pennsylvania DUI

DUI convictions can have serious ramifications for licensed medical professionals. Here is an overview of what you may face if you’re a doctor, dentist, nurse, or EMT and you’ve been convicted. Doctors A doctor convicted of a DUI is subject to a hearing before the State Medical Board to evaluate his or her character and fitness to practice medicine. You may have to report any criminal charge, regardless of whether a conviction actually took place, or you may simply lose…

DUI & Professional Licenses

Many people make the mistake of assuming a DUI is irrelevant to their professional licences. This idea couldn’t be further from the truth! The reality is a DUI conviction can cause long-term, unexpected problems with your career and reputation. Some licenses may be revoked or suspended as a result of your DUI conviction. In some professions, future license applicants may be rendered ineligible due to a DUI. In many cases, the professional license holder is required to report the conviction…

4 Questions You Must Ask Your DUI Attorney

Hiring a DUI attorney is never an easy decision.  You’ve probably seen numerous advertisements from attorneys today alone or at least throughout the week. If you’re reading this blog, you’re on the Internet, where you can find countless attorneys that practice in the same areas. Once you’ve narrowed your search down, you’re probably wondering “Can this attorney help me and how?” Thus, we’ve made a list of the top 4 questions you should ask an attorney you’re looking to hire…

What do I do if I was charged with DUI?

What You Should Do After Being Charged with DUI After you have been pulled over and charged with DUI, it is more than likely that several questions and concerns are going through your head. At Manchester & Associates, we commonly get the following questions: Am I going to lose my license? What do I do now? Do I tell my insurance company? Am I going to jail? Thus, we thought it would be helpful to post this list outlining the…

Loss of Child Custody

A Criminal Conviction Can Cause Loss Of Child Custody Unfortunately, it is true. A criminal conviction can be used against you in a custody dispute. There is even a statute that covers this. Below is that statute. 5329.  Consideration of criminal conviction. (a)  Offenses.–Where a party seeks any form of custody, the court shall consider whether that party or member of that party’s household has been convicted of or has pleaded guilty or no contest to any of the offenses…

Juvenile Justice System – Part 2: Child Delinquent Acts

This week we will discuss what to expect if your child is alleged to have committed a delinquent act. The first issue you may encounter is if your child is detained.  A child may be placed in detention, prior to a formal adjudication of delinquency, where the detention is required “to protect the person or property of others or of the child or because the child may abscond or be removed from the jurisdiction of the court or because he…

Marijuana DUI: The Modified Romberg Balance Test

If you asked Dr. Moritz Heinrich Romberg him what his legacy would be while he was on his death bed in 1873, we doubt he would say field sobriety testing for drug and marijuana DUIs. Nevertheless, (former) neurologist Dr. Romberg is now the namesake standardized field sobriety test used to detect the presence of drugs: the “Modified Romberg Balance Test.” You’re Nervous and Sober? To the Police, You’re High on Drugs The Modified Romberg Balance Test begins with the officer…

The Juvenile Justice System – Part 1

Pennsylvania Juvenile Justice Concept & Terms The juvenile justice system in Pennsylvania is focused more on the rehabilitative needs of the juvenile than on punishment for the offense.  Because of this difference from “adult” court, the words used in the juvenile system may not be familiar to those who watch Law and Order and see trials with defendants.  This week I will be explaining the different terms that are used in the juvenile justice system.  In the following weeks I…