Author Archives: Gary Gerson
City council to likely decriminalize marijuana
Four Pittsburgh City Council members lined up in support a bill that would reduce the penalty for possessing less than an ounce of marijuana. The new charged would be the equivalent of a $25 traffic ticket. Five of nine council votes are needed to pass the bill. The council president and four others agree… Read More »
Pittsburgh may vote to decriminalize marijuana
Even though marijuana is still illegal under federal law and illegal under most state laws, an astonishing majority of Americans now believe it is inevitable that marijuana use will eventually be decriminalized in every state by 2020. Until pro-legalization people get their wish, drug charges stemming from marijuana-related arrests can be very serious. In fact, a… Read More »
South Allegheny teacher pleads guilty to sex crimes
An ex-teacher from the South Allegheny Middle School is claiming that his constitutional rights were violated the day he resigned as a social studies teacher and went to Allegheny County police headquarters to talk to detectives in an effort to tell his side of the story. The man’s attorney says that he felt as… Read More »
Pittsburgh criminal defense attorney for theft around the holidays
Being arrested for shoplifting can result in a felony on your permanent record, restitution payments, jail time, and probation, depending on what you have been accused of stealing and its worth. If you have been accused of stealing and there is video evidence, it can be extremely hard to defend yourself; however, there are… Read More »
Man deported from Uganda for white collar crimes
In a trial that has been going on for nearly a year, an American who has been on trial in Kampala, Uganda on charges of counterfeiting currency notes worth more than $180,000 will be deported to the United States, where he will face criminal charges in Pittsburgh. According to witnesses, the suspect pleaded with… Read More »
Criminal defense for 3rd degree murder
A man from Fayette County who stabbed and killed his cousin outside of the Goal Post bar in Fairchance, PA bar will serve eight to sixteen years in a state penitentiary. The 24-year-old man apologized to the judge before his 3rd degree homicide sentencing for the murder of his 21-year-old cousin. He told the judge,… Read More »
Criminal defense for vehicular homicide
On Wednesday, a woman from Berlin, PA was charged with vehicular homicide and involuntary manslaughter after a 25 November 2014 death of a Shanksville woman near the Flight 93 Memorial Chapel. State police in Somerset County filed the charges against the 34-year-old woman with the district judge. In addition, the woman was also was… Read More »
Arrested for drunk driving over Thanksgiving break?
Being arrested for drunk driving is a loaded charge that comes with personal shame, possible thousands in fines, and a lengthy license suspension. If you’ve recently been pulled over for DUI you are probably asking yourself a hundred questions about who you should tell, how long you’ll lose your license, if you’re going to… Read More »
Indiana man indicted for white collar crimes
An Indiana County investment is accused of stealing $1.2 million from 22 clients over a six-year period, according to federal officials. Last Thursday, a federal grand jury indicted a 54-year-old man from Indiana on one count each of securities fraud and mail fraud. The Securities and Exchange Commission on Monday filed a civil lawsuit… Read More »
Pittsburgh criminal defense attorney discusses mental health legislation
There is currently reform on the table that has been proposed by Representative Tim Murphy. It would change a fifty year trend of moving psychological treatment to peoples’ home and in their communities, rather than medical institutions. It is being introduced as a way to improve patient care and safety. Murphy, who is a… Read More »
