Author Archives: Jay Butchko
Pittsburgh Area Lawyer Convicted Of Selling Methamphetamine
Most criminal cases do not go to trial. In federal criminal cases, fewer than one in ten defendants pleads not guilty and maintains their innocence all the way to trial. This is usually because the stakes are so high when the charges involve drug trafficking. If prosecutors accuse you of selling drugs based on… Read More »
Allegheny County Cocaine Dealer Gets 11 Years In Federal Prison
It is possible to get a life sentence in prison for drug crimes, but not just any drug crimes. While draconian “three strikes” laws have made it so that defendants have been sentenced to life for drug possession, those kinds of sentencing guidelines have received sharp criticism, and prosecutors in Pittsburgh rarely seek to… Read More »
Beaver County Tax Collector Sentenced To Prison For Embezzling Tax Payments
Almost everyone grumbles about paying taxes. Childfree people complain about parents getting all the tax credits, and almost everyone would like to see public funds spent differently from how they are being spent, although no two people’s visions of what they would do if they were in control of the public treasury are exactly… Read More »
Father Of Five Sentenced To State Prison, Followed By A Federal Prison Sentence
If the police crash your party just as you are snorting a line of cocaine, or if the cops pull you over when there are a few Xanax pills in the front console of your car that no one prescribed to you, there is a chance that you can walk away from the whole… Read More »
Former Pennsylvania State Senator Enters Pretrial Diversion Program Following DUI Arrest
A lot of people go through life thinking that criminal court is somewhere they will never go, but anyone can get arrested and face criminal charges. Getting arrested for drunk driving feels more like getting a traffic ticket than it does like your first foray into a life of crime. In fact, you can… Read More »
Man Faces Charges For Loitering And Prowling On University Of Pittsburgh Campus
It is possible to get arrested just for being in the wrong place at the wrong time. If you see a “no trespassing” sign outside of a business, it is best not to go there outside of its posted business hours, and if you see such a sign outside of a private residence, it… Read More »
Variety Store Employees Accused Of Stashing Drugs In Wall Safe
Hey Jay’s New & Used, a variety store in Erie, Pennsylvania, captures the mood of a pandemic-weary Pennsylvania as well as anywhere does. If you have time on your hands and limited funds, Hey Jay’s is the place for you. The cash-strapped, restless souls of the world can find furniture, appliances, and tools for… Read More »
Erie Man Arrested After Dropping Child Off At School Immediately After Hit And Run Accident
Everyone makes mistakes, especially when driving. Most preventable traffic mistakes do not count as crimes, especially when you do not cause an accident, or if you do, it is a minor enough accident that no one gets injured. Of course, some driving behaviors are so dangerous that you can get criminal charges even if… Read More »
Erie Man Pleads Guilty Four Years After Providing Drugs That Caused Fatal Overdose
The Sixth Amendment to the United States Constitution guarantees the right to a speedy trial, but in practice, all kinds of delays can affect criminal cases. In some cases, by the time the case gets to trial, years have gone by since the incident that led to the defendant’s arrest. In some cases, these… Read More »
Bucks County Man Sentenced To At Least 49 Years In Prison For Sexually Assaulting Five Children
In theory, the punishment for a crime should be proportionate to the extent to which the harm the victim suffered because of it can be repaired. In cases where the crime only caused financial losses to the victims, it is possible to compensate the victims for their financial losses by ordering payment of restitution… Read More »
