Recent Blog Posts
Allison Park Doctor Charged with Fraud for Writing Unlawful Prescriptions for Opioids
The current opioid abuse epidemic has changed the public conversation about drug abuse and addiction. In the past, public opinion often attached blame on addicts for their drug-related problems or, alternatively, created an image of predatory drug dealers attempting to get young people “hooked on” drugs for financial gain. However, the focus of the… Read More »
Pennsylvania Courts Decide on a Case by Case Basis Whether to Try Teens Charged with Violent Crimes as Adults
Most teenagers are physically and emotionally immature; consequently, they commit foolish and sometimes criminal acts that they may have cause to regret. For that reason, and with a few clearly defined exceptions, including felonies associated with extremely violent crimes, firearms violations, drug trafficking or sex offenses, it is the underlying policy of the criminal… Read More »
Promoting Prostitution Is a Crime in Pennsylvania, but Just What Does It Entail?
When most people outside the legal profession hear the phrase “sex crimes,” they tend to think first of the most outrageous offenses such as rape or child molestation. Many arrests for sex-related offenses, however, involve charges that are substantially less violent such as promoting prostitution. Why is promoting prostitution classified as a crime? Because… Read More »
You Can’t Get Bailed Out of Jail If You Are a Danger to the Community
Conditions of bail are to be reasonable not punitive, and to ensure that an accused will appear for trial. A familiar plot point in TV shows and movies such as 25th Hour, starring Edward Norton, involves an arrested individual waiting in jail “to make bail”. Struggling family members draw on their savings, post collateral,… Read More »
Yes, It Is Still Possible to Get Arrested for Marijuana Possession in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania has recently enacted statutes regarding medical marijuana (“cannabis”) usage and possession. However, unlike states such as Colorado, California or Washington, Pennsylvania’s new marijuana laws do not legalize or otherwise permit recreational users to smoke marijuana in “leaf” form regardless of an individual’s age. Case in point: in recent months, officers from a roving… Read More »
Pennsylvania Senate Attempts to Increase Penalties for Hazing
While not exclusively limited to young people and college students, hazing has recently come under scrutiny in both the media and the criminal justice system, especially when alcohol is involved. Unfortunately, this high risk behavior can result in catastrophic results, including serious bodily injuries and death. Consequently, many jurisdictions, including Pennsylvania, have passed laws… Read More »
Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission Ups the Ante Against Toll Scofflaws
The Pennsylvania Turnpike is both an iconic and unique highway within the Commonwealth. Traversing the width of Pennsylvania, from New Jersey to Ohio, the turnpike rolls through the heart of the state, providing motorists a picturesque travel route. Tolls are imposed to pay for maintenance and upkeep of the turnpike, in order to avoid… Read More »
Refusing a Breathalyzer Test in Pennsylvania in 2018
When a driver is pulled over on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol, one of the ways in which law enforcement confirms their suspicion is to have the driver take a breathalyzer test. Although constitutional protections against self-incrimination allow drivers to refuse to submit to chemical testing of breath, all applicants for… Read More »
Pennsylvania May Increase Penalties for Repeat DUI Offenders
Operating a motor vehicle requires constant attention. In addition to maintaining control of the vehicle, the driver must also be able to respond to outside conditions, whether from the environment or other drivers on the road. Therefore, the Vehicle Code requires every driver to be alert and focused at all times. Unfortunately, some drivers… Read More »
The Most Dangerous (and Safest) Cities in Pennsylvania
In an effort to determine which cities in the state of Pennsylvania are the safest and which are the most dangerous, The Law Offices of Gary E. Gerson enlisted the help of data visualization firm 1Point 21 Interactive. First, we had to identify factors that directly affect the personal safety of each city’s residents. While crime… Read More »
Answers to some of your DNA questions
In the past, we have discussed the subject of DNA evidence in relation to criminal cases on this blog. The particular post discussed a man who was wrongfully imprisoned for twenty-four years. The man was convicted of a string of sex crimes. After more than two decades in jail, DNA evidence finally cleared his… Read More »
Are you unsure about applying for a job with a “criminal” background?
As a Pittsburgh criminal defense attorney, one question I surprisingly get asked a lot is about what people should answer on applications if they’ve been charged and convicted of a crime. Because all applications are different, the answer to this question varies; however, the simple answer is: always tell the truth. Not too long… Read More »
So you’ve been served a bench warrant
A common criminal defense question I’m asked is about bench warrants and what people who have a bench warrant can do to keep themselves out of jail and get their issue resolved as soon as possible. If you have a bench warrant, call criminal defense attorney Gary Gerson and stop those sleepless nights, worrying… Read More »
Do you have questions about travel restrictions?
Many of my clients express to me that once their cases are over and done with, they would like to leave the area and start over a new life somewhere different. This makes sense because when people learn from their mistakes, they often decide that the environment in which they live is not conducive… Read More »
Are you a student who was arrested with marijuana?
Now that the spring semester is in full force, I have been receiving a lot of calls and emails from parents and students about marijuana laws. Here in Pittsburgh, we are a major center for higher education with close to a dozen institutions for continuing education within a few-mile radius. Marijuana laws in Pennsylvania… Read More »
Have you been arrested for violating probation?
When a person is convicted of a crime in Pennsylvania, a judge will oftentimes give the defendant probation as a part of his or her sentencing in lieu of jail time, or in addition to jail time. In many instances, probation is viewed as a second chance in the criminal justice system, or as… Read More »
Underage drunk driving
Getting pulled over for driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol is one thing, but you’re pulled over for DUI and you’re underage, you may have to worry about more than just a small fine and short license suspension. What many underage drinkers and drivers fail to realize is that if you are… Read More »
Washington man sentenced for internet sex crimes
A man from Washington County who challenged and beat his first possessing, receiving, and distributing of charges will now spend an additional two and a half years in jail on another conviction, according to a federal judge. A twelve-person jury deliberated for three hours this past August and convicted the 42-year-old Eighty Four, PA… Read More »
Woman arrested on drug charges in Pittsburgh
Being arrested on drug charges for possession of man-made narcotics such as heroin and prescription pills like oxycodone can land a person in jail for a long time, especially if the police can prove that you were attempting to distribute the drugs. A woman from Pittsburgh was arraigned on Tuesday for an arrest that… Read More »
Drunk driver faces sentencing for hitting disable man
Drunk drivers who injure pedestrians can spend a long, long time in jail. Depending on past arrests, blood-alcohol content, and the extent of the injuries incurred, drunk drivers can sometimes be sentenced to more than twenty years in jail for their crimes. That’s why someone who is arrested for DUI in Pittsburgh needs an… Read More »