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.

Simple Assault In Pennsylvania

Have you or someone you know been charged with Simple Assault in Pennsylvania? The charge of Simple Assault in Pennsylvania can have very serious consequences that can include up to five years in prison and thousands in fines. There are varying degrees of Simple Assault in Pennsylvania; however all of them are misdemeanors. The charge of Simple Assault in Pennsylvania is a claim that you; Simple Assault in Pennsylvania is a crime against another person, not their property. However, you…

Megan’s Law Offenders In Pennsylvania And Their First Amendment Rights

Are you a registered Megan’s Law Offender in Pennsylvania? If you have been convicted of or are being charged with a sex crime in Pennsylvania this is important information about your First Amendment rights. While reading the American Bar Association Journal today I came across an interesting article on the rights on the first Amendment in our US Constitution and how powerful this right is. A recently decided US Supreme Court decision illustrated this. PACKINGHAM v. NORTH CAROLINA No. 15–1194.…

Why Was I Charged With A Felony For A Mistake On My PA Gun Application?

More and more we are seeing people being charged with Felonies where the police are claiming that they were intentionally or knowingly providing false information on an application for a firearm. In addition to this they are charged with a misdemeanor for Unsworn Falsification to Authorities. Most of the mistakes that occur on these applications stem from the Federal Law language that does not always translate properly to PA state laws. Prior Criminal Convictions When the application discussed your prior…

Can I Have My Criminal Record Expunged?

In the state of Pennsylvania there are three ways to have your record expunged. The most common way is when an individual completes the ARD program the charges that were part of that program are eligible for expungement. The next way is if you are over the age of 70 and not arrested within the last ten years. And the final way is if you have been dead for three years. There are currently no other ways in PA to…

Synthetic Marijuana Victory

On May 25, 2017 Attorney Brian Manchester became the first lawyer in the United States to have a synthetic marijuana analogue drug statute declared unconstitutional by a state or federal supreme court. The Pennsylvania Supreme Court in the case of Commonwealth v. Herman found that the former analogue based synthetic cannabinoid statute was unconstitutionally vague. They also found that in order to prove a defendant guilty of the Pennsylvania State Designer Drug statute the government must prove that a defendant knew that…

Federal Child Pornography Charges In Pennsylvania

Being charged with child pornography by the federal government in Pennsylvania is a very serious crime. If you, a friend, relative, brother, sister, father, mother are charges with child pornography in Pennsylvania you should immediately call us. Even if all that happens is a search warrant was issued for your home, cell phones, computers, electronic devices and you were not put under arrest the first thing you must do is not say anything and the second is to call an…

Federal Target Letters

So you open your mail and you see a letter from a U.S. Attorney or other Federal Agency and you open it up and it says you are either a potential witness to a federal crime or a target of a federal criminal investigation in Pennsylvania or any other state. You are likely asking yourself the following questions: First off what is a “Target” In a federal criminal investigation people are put into three different categories: If you’re a target,…

New Changes Coming To The Ignition Interlock Limited Licenses Law In Pennsylvania

How The Change Will Affect Your Ability To Get One If You Are Convicted Or Already Convicted Of A DUI In Pennsylvania? Pennsylvania Ignition Interlock Limited License is a special license that individuals can apply for through Pennsylvania Department of Transportation. This license is issued to an individual that had their general license suspended for a period of time. This special license allows that individual to drive and operate a vehicle with an Ignition Interlock system installed in the vehicle…

New Changes Coming To The Occupational Limited Licenses Law In Pennsylvania

How The Change Will Affect Your Ability To Get One If You Are Convicted Or Already Convicted Of A DUI In Pennsylvania? Occupational Limited Licenses A Thing Of The Past? Pennsylvania Occupational Limited Licenses are a special license that individuals can apply for through Pennsylvania Department of Transportation. This license is issued to an individual that had their general license suspended for a period of time. This special license allows that individual to drive and operate a vehicle to go…

What is LSD and how Manchester and Associates defends against LSD charges in state and Federal Court

LSD is the abbreviation for the chemical compound lysergic acid diethylamide, originally known as LSD-25 and sold under the brand Delysid in the 1940’s through the 1960’s. LSD was synthesized from ergotamine, which is a derivative of ergot, a grain fungus that grows on rye. LSD is usually ingested orally so it is found in many different forms, including blotter paper, sugar cubes or gelatins. This type of evidence is sensitive to light, heat, oxygen and chlorine so it needs…