While being arrested, detained, and charged with a crime is a headache in and of itself, resisting arrest complicates matters further. Those deemed to have resisted arrest are subject to heavier penalties on top of those they have already incurred from whatever crime they are convicted more. In any case, a West Chester criminal defense attorney from Ciccarelli Law Offices… READ MORE
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As some people are sent away to prison, many questions are left to their families and friends. How will we communicate? Will we be able to see them face-to-face? How do we stay up to date on what is happening at the prison? The Ciccarelli Law Offices and our West Chester criminal defense attorneys are here to answer your questions… READ MORE
A dram shop, or dramshop, is an establishment that serves and sells alcohol to patrons. As drinks containing alcohol are controlled by the government, there are many rules and regulations that surround the bars, clubs, and restaurants that sell them. As there are potential legal consequences to the excessive selling of alcohol to intoxicated patrons, it is important for businesses… READ MORE
Designed for first-time, non-violent offenders, the Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition (ARD) in Pennsylvania is an option for defendants to expunge their charges after they have successfully completed rehabilitation, treatment, and supervision. About 90 percent of the ARD defendants in Pennsylvania were arrested for drunk driving or a controlled substance. ARD cases account for 30 percent of probation caseloads, with 95 percent… READ MORE
If you have violated your probation in Pennsylvania by getting another DUI, your next steps are crucial to your future – especially if your probation prohibited you from drinking alcohol. Your probation will most likely be legally retracted, which will leave you with the risk of jail time and fines. Which makes it absolutely critical to immediately hire an experienced… READ MORE
As you can imagine, failing to appear in court in Pennsylvania, when you are legally required to do so because of criminal charges, will result in stiff penalties. It could mean a bench warrant for your arrest or a “default in required appearance,” which could be a misdemeanor or a felony. This is Pennsylvania law. And with the guidance of… READ MORE
On June 4, 2022, the US Supreme Court handed down a decision that overturned Roe v Wade, the landmark 1973 ruling that allowed abortions to be performed before a fetus would become viable outside of the womb. The decision to overturn Roe v Wade was 6-3 and had immediate ramifications throughout the country. Many states had laws in place (trigger… READ MORE
In Pennsylvania, the charges of burglary and criminal trespassing may seem relatively similar, at least on the surface. Both of these charges involved unlawfully entering another person’s property. However, there are very distinct differences between the two charges that we want to discuss here. Understanding Burglary Under Pennsylvania Law Under Pennsylvania law, a person commits burglary if they enter an… READ MORE
If you are arrested in Westchester or anywhere else in Pennsylvania, you are going to get taken to jail. You will go through the booking process, and likely have a chance to make a phone call and then have a bail hearing soon after (maybe the next morning). From the moment you are approached by the police, you can and… READ MORE
Bars are usually friendly, social gathering places, but with alcohol involved, these areas can quickly take a turn for the worst and end up as a fight club. If you find yourself in a situation where you go from throwing back drinks to throwing punches at someone in a bar fight, you could be arrested for assault. It’s good to… READ MORE