Author Archives: Gary Gerson
Criminal defense: What is probation violation?
If someone is convicted of a crime, in almost all circumstances, probation is set as a part of sentencing in lieu of, or in addition to, any fines, community service, and time spent in jail. Generally, probation is considered a second chance; however, it does comes with rather strict guidelines that must be followed. Terms… Read More »
Pennsylvania crime rates drop
News out of Pennsylvania shows that the number of criminal defense cases is down for the year, with a 1.4% drop in the number of violent crimes between 2013 and 2014. The total number of crimes dropped by 1.2%. This is the second consecutive year during which the total number of crimes has dropped. Authorities say that… Read More »
Dance instructor charged with sex crimes
Being charged with sex crimes like solicitation or unlawful contact with a minor is very serious and a conviction, even if pleaded down, will result in a lifetime of embarrassment, ridicule, and shame; not to mention registry on the sex offender list and having to mark down on every job and renter’s application that the person… Read More »
Social media interactions can result in criminal charges
The proliferation of the internet and social media has been good for many things. It puts the entirety of human knowledge at our finger tips; it allows us to interact with people on the other side of the world; and it makes collaboration and the development of new ideas simpler and easier. But there… Read More »
Man charged with sex crimes at Carnegie Science Center
A man from Allegheny County who was convicted of sex crimes involving a six-year-old boy on cruise line was arrested today at the Carnegie Science Center after he offered a child candy and then lied to a worker and police officers about the occurrence when he was confronted. Police arrested the 76-year-old Findlay man and charged… Read More »
Criminal defense and mandatory minimum sentencing
In a recent Pennsylvania Superior Court ruling, it was found that some of the mandatory minimum sentencing laws in the state aren’t constitutional. The PA Superior Court’s ruling in Commonwealth of PA v. Newman followed a recent United States Supreme Court decision in Alleyne v. United States. In that case, the U.S. Supreme Court… Read More »
Sex crimes and PA Senate Bill 681
A new law in the state of Pennsylvania is going to create new legal remedies and consequences in cases where alleged sexual offenses occur. PA Senate Bill 681, which was enacted at the end of last March, is modeled after the state’s existing Protection from Abuse Act. The new law is designed to allow… Read More »
Criminal defense and understanding your Miranda rights
One question that we are consistently asked at The Law Offices of Gary E. Gerson is: “Do I have to talk to police and answer questions even if I do or do not feel comfortable doing so?” The answer is, was, and always will be a resounding “NO!” Because of how tricky our criminal justice… Read More »
Texting while driving more dangerous than drunk driving?
What’s just one more text, right? It’ll only take a few seconds. Many drivers, both experienced and not, think that just one more text message, or a quick glance at a message received, is harmless. But that is not the case. People tell me all the time: “But I was only texting when he… Read More »
Murder charges against juvenile in Pittsburgh
When juvenile crimes are violent crimes, there is always a debate about whether or not the child should be charged as an adult, especially in the case of murder and premeditated murder. What we have found over the years, however, is that even when the crime is found to be premeditated murder, the minor committing… Read More »
