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Case Results

Client was charged with Possession of a Drug Paraphernalia after the police conducted a warrantless search of Client’s apartment and found a marijuana pipe in the kitchen. Client was charged with ... view case results

Client was under surveillance relative to a cocaine distribution investigation and was taken into custody after an investigative stop of the vehicle he was driving resulted in ... view case results

Client was charged with Conspiracy, Delivery, and related charges that he was part of a $1,000,000.00 cocaine distribution organization involving 13 co-defendants. view case results

Client was growing marijuana plants in basement when police entered his residence with permission seeking to execute an arrest warrant for an individual who did not reside there. view case results

Client was charged with DUI when State Police initiated a traffic stop for speeding and careless driving after a 2mile pursuit. view case results

Client was charged with Possession of a Small Amount of Marijuana and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia after police searched Client's apartment having previously detected an odor of marijuana emanating from the residence... view case results

Client was charged with Rape of a Child, Aggravated Indecent Assault of a Child, and other related sexual offenses after a ten-year-old female alleged that Client had forcibly raped her on three occasions... view case results

Client was charged with Terroristic Threats and Harassment. Victim alleged that client made repeated calls and internet communications threatening physical violence, client visited the work place of victim threatening a physical confrontation... view case results

Client was charged with Sexual Assault and Indecent Assault after female victim reported to the police that she did not consent to the sexual intercourse... view case results

Client was charged with summary offense of Criminal Trespass for allegedly failing to leave a Penn State tailgate outside of Beaver Stadium... view case results

Client was charged with Simple Assault and Harassment after allegedly striking a male in the face during an altercation outside of a fraternity near Penn State University... view case results

Client was charged with Furnishing Alcohol to Minors, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Underage Consumption/Possession of Alcohol after police made warrantless entry into Client's residence and conducted search... view case results

Client was charged with Rape of a Child less than 13 years old and other related sexual offenses for allegedly performing consensual sexual acts with a 12-year-old female. If convicted, Client faced a mandatory minimum sentence of 5 years incarceration in state prison... view case results

Client was charged with Possession of Small Amount of Marijuana after police observed Client's friend smoking marijuana and patdown search of Client led to the discovery of marijuana... view case results

Client was charged with Underage Consumption/Possession of Alcohol after being arrested inside Beaver Stadium at a Penn State football game. At hearing, defense counsel argued that any detention ... view case results

Clients were charged with Underage Consumption/Possession of Alcohol after police made warrantless entry into residence where Clients were staying... view case results

Client was charged with Possession With Intent to Deliver approximately 1.5 kilograms of cocaine. Law enforcement had executed a search warrant on client's apartment locating a large amount of cocaine, money, scales, and other indications of drug trafficking... view case results

Client was charged with Possession of Paraphernalia after police officers responded to Client's apartment for a noise complaint and detected an odor of marijuana... view case results

Client was charged with Underage Consumption/Possession of Alcohol after police observed an individual of youthful appearance drinking alcohol in Client's car... view case results

Client was arrested for DUI and was transported to a hospital for blood alcohol analysis. Client was released at his residence, but Client returned to the scene to retrieve his vehicle... view case results

Client was charged with Possession of Small Amount of Marijuana after Client disregarded police order to emerge from under tree and fled the scene. Client was taken into custody at which time a search... view case results

Client was charged with Underage Consumption/Possession of Alcohol after admitting to police that she had consumed beer. At hearing, defense counsel argued that admission to having... view case results

Client was charged with Receiving Stolen Property, Firearms not to be Carried Without a License, Persons not to Possess, Use, Manufacture, Control, Sell or Transfer Firearms, Simple Assault, Recklessly... view case results

Client was charged with Possession of a Small Amount of Marijuana after his vehicle was stopped on Interstate 80 because of an allegation that the vehicle's windows were tinted... view case results

Client was charged with Furnishing Alcohol to Minors, Unlawful Act Relative to Liquor, Underage Drinking, and Disorderly Conduct after police responded to noise violation at Client's apartment, police... view case results

Clients were charged with Underage Possession of Alcohol after police observed Clients sitting around coffee table upon which were open cans of beer. At the hearing, defense counsel argued that no testimony... view case results

Client was charged with Possession of Paraphernalia after police saw a marijuana smoking device in Client's bedroom window. Client consented to police entering his apartment, but police entered his room without... view case results

Client was charged with Delivery of Marijuana, Dealing Proceeds of Unlawful Activity, and DUI after police initiated a traffic stop of Defendant's vehicle. Defendant was ordered to exit his vehicle... view case results

Client was charged with DUI after police responded to traffic accident involving Client's vehicle. After law enforcement arrived on the scene, they were unable to locate the driver of the vehicle. The police contacted... view case results

Client was charged with three counts of Attempted Homicide (Felony 1), six counts of Aggravated Assault (Felony 1 & 2), three counts of Terroristic Threats (Misdemeanor 1), nine counts of Simple Assault (Misdemeanor 2) and three counts... view case results

Client left fraternity party to meet Girlfriend at the Crowbar. Upon exiting the fraternity client found a parked vehicle with the keys inside. Client did not know the owner. Client took vehicle and started driving toward Crowbar... view case results

Client was charged with Terroristic Threats whereby commonwealth alleged client delivered drugs to a criminal informant and soon after, figuring he had been set up, agreed to meet with the informant ... view case results

Client was charged with Manufacturing Marijuana when members of the Altoona Police department executed a search warrant and discovered 346 live marijuana plants between 8’’ to 15’’ on the recently renovated... view case results

Client was charged with Terroristic Threats whereby the Commonwealth alleged that client called his former supervisor and said “I am loading my gun and I am coming over to kill you in front of your... view case results

Client was charged with DUI and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. At approximately 11:40 p.m., Client make a wide right turn and entered the opposing lane of traffic. An off-duty officer swerved to... view case results

Client was charged with DUI, Driving on Roadways Laned for Traffic, and Driving an Unregistered Vehicle. At approximately 1:50 a.m., a police officer observed Client’s vehicle traveling “visually fast,” but the officer... view case results

Client was charged with DUI and Driving on Right Side of Roadway. Police received a 911 dispatch regarding a disabled or crashed vehicle on State Route 144 near Lower Greens Valley Road. Police arrived... view case results

Client was charged with Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol, Careless Driving, Accidents Involving Damage to Unattended Vehicle or Property, Immediate Notice of Accident to Police Department, and Driving... view case results

Client was charged with DUI, Careless Driving, and Driving on Roadways Laned for Traffic. Police followed Client’s vehicle from the Port Matilda legion to State Route 550. The police observed Client’s vehicle... view case results

Client was charged with Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol, Careless Driving, Accidents Involving Damage to Unattended Vehicle or Property, Immediate Notice of Accident to Police Department, and Driving... view case results

Client was charged with Retail Theft, Receiving Stolen Property, and Criminal Mischief. Client was at bar with friend when the friend went behind the bar and grabbed bottle of liquor, began drinking... view case results

Client was charged with DUI, Driving Under Suspended License, and Failure to Utilize Required Signal. Client parked his vehicle along State Route 22 in front of used car lot at approximately 12:30 a.m. Officer... view case results

Client was indicted by a Federal Grand Jury with conspiring to commit and possession with the intent to distribute and distribution of more than fifty (50) grams of crack, more than five (5) kilograms of cocaine, more than one hundred (100) kilograms of marijuana, and heroin... view case results

Client was charged with Furnishing Alcohol to Minors and Corruption of Minors after Client was seen with his underage girlfriend at a restaurant. Witnesses allegedly saw an alcoholic beverage... view case results

Client was charged with Furnishing Alcohol to Minors. Client hosted a keg party at his apartment and invited persons over the age of 21. Minors were present at the party. Officers cited one minor... view case results

Client was charged with Furnishing Alcohol to Minors after Client hosted a keg party. Officers arrived at Client's apartment complex, and observed a group of people that they knew were under the age of 21... view case results

Client was charged with DUI Incapable of Safe Driving and exceeding maximum speed limits. Using Radar Pennsylvania State Police stopped client's vehicle for traveling 65 mph in a 45 mph zone... view case results

Client was charged with DUI Incapable of Safe Driving and DUI with BAC over.16%. Client's vehicle struck a curb and became airborne on US Route 322. A tipster called police and reported the incident... view case results

Client was charged with DUI and driving at unsafe speeds. Client's vehicle crossed center lane and was involved in a head on collision. Commonwealth attempted to introduce evidence of the BAC at the Preliminary... view case results

Client was charged with two counts each of delivery of marijuana, possession with intent to deliver, possession, and criminal use of a communication facility. Under the direction and control of the Region... view case results

Client was charged with Recklessly Endangering Another Person. Client's daughter was being chased by another vehicle. As the vehicles proceeded towards Client's home, Client retrieved and loaded a shotgun... view case results

Client was charged with DUI and exceeding maximum speed limits. Client squealed the tires when exiting a parking garage at 2:23 a.m. A police officer timed the vehicle using a VASCAR PLUS speed-timing... view case results

Client was charged with DUI and failure to use required signals. Client was traveling at 3:27 a. m. when the Pennsylvania State Police initiated a traffic stop alleging that the client failed to use a turn ... view case results

Client was charged with involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, rape, incest, indecent assault, corruption of minors, and endangering welfare of children, for events that allegedly occurred between... view case results

Client was charged with burglary, criminal trespass, sexual assault, indecent assault, harassment, and stalking. In a pre-trial motion, defense argued that prosecution of Client was in violation of 18 PS '110, which requires... view case results

Client was charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Deliver, Possession of a Controlled Substance, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. The Pennsylvania State Police located an abandoned vehicle... view case results

Client was charged with DUI and careless driving. At approximately 2:50 a.m., a State Police Trooper observed Client's vehicle turn into a private driveway and stop. The Trooper drove past the parked... view case results

Understanding Your Rights

Pennsylvania Illegal Search & Seizure Lawyers

How police conduct themselves during an arrest, investigation, or traffic stop is important. Too often, people arrested for a crime fail to understand what they can and cannot say or do when dealing with the authorities. As a result, many unwittingly provide police with incriminating statements and evidence which is used against them later in court. If you understand your basic rights, however, you can protect yourself at the time of an arrest or execution of a search warrant and identify violations of these rights later when speaking with your attorney.

What if the Police Want to Question Me?

If you are not under arrest, you are not required to provide any information other than identification to the police. While this may make them suspicious of you and increase their interest in you as a suspect, you are under no obligation to say anything to them. If you believe you are under investigation or have reason to believe you may be arrested at a later time, it is best to inform the police that your lawyer has asked you to speak with him first before answering any questions from the police.

What if the Police Want to Search My House? My Car?

If the police appear at your door and ask if they can search the premises, you can refuse them entry if they do not have a search warrant. However, even if they don’t have a search warrant, they can still enter your home if while standing in the doorway they hear suspicious sounds or see illegal material in plain view.

If you are pulled over by the police in your car the police can search your car if something they see in plain view gives them probable cause to conduct a search. If you haven’t been drinking and don’t have anything on your car seats or floorboards that would give rise to suspicion, the police do not have probable cause to search your vehicle. If you refuse to allow a search of your car, the police may impound it and search it later after they obtain a warrant to do so.

What if They Have a Search Warrant?

Generally speaking, a search warrant should specify what is being looked for and the areas to be searched. The first thing to do is ask to see the search warrant in order to determine what is specified in it. Depending on what is being searched for, the police may be restricted in the kinds of places they can look.

For instance, if a search warrant is restricted to illegal exotic birds of paradise, the police have no reason to search inside of band-aid boxes, the toilet bowel, or the back of your television set since a live bird could not hidden in these places in any case. More importantly, after police enter your home to conduct a search, do not obstruct them or try to stop them – call your lawyer immediately.

What if I am Arrested?

If you are placed under arrest, the police must inform you of your rights:

“You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to be speak to an attorney. You have the right to have an attorney present during any questioning. If you cannot afford an attorney, one will be provided to you.”

At this point, you are under no obligation to say anything to the police. However, absolute silence can be portrayed by the prosecution as an indication of guilt when your case comes to trial. Here, you may want to simply request to speak with an attorney before you say anything more.

They Interviewed Me for a Long Time and Placed me Under Arrest

If the police detain you – place you in handcuffs or ask you to come down to the precinct for questioning – you should immediately ask to speak with a lawyer. If, however, you are not in custody and freely provide information to the police, any self-incriminating statements you make may justify the police in arresting you – even if you are not initially being detained.

If you think you may be in danger of incriminating yourself, simply refuse to answer any more questions. If the police persist in questioning you, ask them if you are being placed under arrest. If not, then you are under no obligation to speak with them. If they decide to arrest you, ask to speak with an attorney.

Questions? Contact Masorti & Donaldson

To learn more about your rights and discuss your case, contact State College, Pennsylvania criminal defense lawyers at Masorti & Donaldson today. In criminal law what you don’t know can hurt you –