Criminal Law

• Knowing Grading and Penalties of PA Crimes.

• The Arrest and your rights

• The Preliminary Arraignment

• Bail Parameters

• Right to Counsel

• DUI/Drug cases

• Drug and Alcohol programs

• Mental Health and the Courts

• Applying for ARD (Accelerated Rehabilitated Disposition)

• What happens at the scheduled Preliminary Hearing?

• Defendants' rights

• Summary Agreements

• Knowing the Alternate Programs offered by the court.

• Contents of the preliminary hearing

• What does Prima Facie mean and your rights?

• When Criminal charges are dismissed and the right to refile.

• Clean Slate Act

Vehicle Code

• Title 75 (general aspect of the PA vehicle code)

• The Point System

• Driving while under Suspension

• Overview of DUI- Drug related cases to include one's rights.

• The ARD program and application process.

• Alternate Driving Programs

• Right to Appeal.

• Navigating the PennDOT website (common inquiries- Points status, change of address)

• Overweight vehicles

• CDL issues

Civil Cases

• Civil law has three components:

  • Jurisdiction (Courts)

  • Venue (location where complaint can be filed)

  • Service- Constable

• Filing the Complaint at the District Court

• Venue- Location where complaint can be filed)

• Types of Civil Contracts

  • Expressed- (parties willingly enter into an agreement)

  • Implied- (no written or verbal agreement needed)

  • Statue of Limitations- 4 years

• Torts/Trespass Cases Claims

  • Intentional- (deliberate act to cause harm)

  • Negligent- (not exercising reasonable care)

• Statute of Limitations in Torts claims- 2 years

• Knowing the Courts monetary limit in awards

• What is a Default Judgement

• Intent to Defend (rights of the Defendant)

• Presenting your case

• Rules of Evidence

• Cross Complaints- only one judgement can be entered.

• Court has (5) days to render decision

• Judgement is good for 5 years.