If you watch any of the seemingly endless television shows regarding law and order and crime and punishment, you may have noticed that the antagonist drug defendant is often a man. But all you have to do is ask a criminal defense attorney who regularly handles clients facing drug-related charges to know that the number of women…
Continue reading ›Trust this Pittsburgh criminal defense lawyer: In the hierarchy of crimes that incite public outrage, those that involve children and animals are always at the top. Also offensive to the masses: Crimes that involve the misuse of public trust or public funds. Take a recent case out of Washington County – one that is already garnering headlines. …
Continue reading ›There was an interesting story in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette the other day about a Wilkinsburg man being jailed for interference of a custody order. Here’s what happened: The mother of a two-year-old girl died, and a custody hearing was subsequently held. According to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, there was a custody hearing, but the man, Tex Ortiz,…
Continue reading ›I’ve mentioned previously that criminal defense attorneys like me brace ourselves during the holidays for a blitz of criminal cases involving charges such as theft by unlawful taking (everything from holiday decorations to Salvation Army donation jars) to shoplifting. Anyone who is co-parenting with an ex should be aware that another charge we see during…
Continue reading ›Thinking about a career in education? Want to coach your kid’s little league team? Be a PTA volunteer? Then you need to know about a new Pennsylvania law that expands the requirements for background checks. Starting Dec. 31, the new state child protective services law goes into effect, and it requires (among other things) that…
Continue reading ›Writers have long pontificated on how the Christmas spirit compels people to be more altruistic – more caring– around the holidays. My favorite quote on the matter comes from Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol,” when Scrooge’s nephew tells him, “I am sure I have always thought of Christmas time, when it has come round –…
Continue reading ›
