Understanding Pennsylvania’s No Fault Insurance Laws

2019-02-07T22:22:30-05:00January 24th, 2019|Auto Accidents, Pennsylvania Law|

If you are in a car accident in Pennsylvania, you may find yourself barraged with terms you’ve never heard of concerning your liability, insurance coverage, and more, all the while searching for an auto accident personal injury attorney in Bucks County. One of the most difficult-to-understand (and possibly most important) parts of Pennsylvania’s auto accident laws is the “no fault” insurance rule. What is “No Fault” Insurance? Describing “no fault” may be easier if “fault” was defined first. A “fault” state is one where the law says that the driver responsible for the accident is the one who also is [...]

New Amendment to End License Suspensions for Drug Crimes

2019-02-07T22:47:47-05:00December 24th, 2018|Drug Offense Charges, Pennsylvania Law|

From 2011 to 2016, about 149,000 people in Pennsylvania had their driver’s license suspended after being convicted of drug crimes that were unrelated to driving. That’s 149,000 people that had their job placed in jeopardy and their driver’s license taken away despite committing no vehicle-related crime. Recently, however, PA lawmakers passed a law that will revoke the mandatory driver’s license suspensions in these scenarios. Many lawmakers noted these suspensions to be counterproductive, punitive, and disproportionately affecting communities with lower socioeconomic standing. About the New License Suspensions Law Pennsylvania House Bill 163 is to amend Titles 4 (Amusements), 18 (Crimes & [...]

Driving Drunk or Drugged? New Penalties Await

2019-02-07T22:28:16-05:00December 4th, 2018|Criminal Defense, DUI Defense, Pennsylvania Law|

On October 24, 2018, Senate Bill 961 was signed into law. This bill amended Title 75 (Vehicles) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes and sharply increased the sentencing related to DUI charges for repeat DUI offenders. So What Changed? This new law affects repeat DUI offenders’ charges. Here’s the breakdown: An impaired driver who causes a fatal accident will face a minimum of five years in prison — a jump from the previous three years — if they have a previous DUI conviction. If they have two or more prior DUI convictions, the minimum term for a driver [...]

DUI: Levels of Impairment, What to Do if You’re Caught, and How a DUI Lawyer Can Help

2019-02-07T22:47:18-05:00October 23rd, 2018|DUI Defense|

According to estimates from The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, about 40% of all traffic deaths are related to alcohol. If you get caught driving drunk, you will be charged with an offense that can lead to weighty fines, penalties, and personal or work-life limitations. When you’re accused of a DUI offense in the state of Pennsylvania, turn to Keith J. Williams Law, a DUI lawyer in Doylestown, PA, to help defend and protect your rights. Pennsylvania’s BAC Impairment Levels In Pennsylvania, BAC Impairment is ranked at three different levels. They are: General Impairment High Rate Highest Rate When a [...]

Understanding Your Right to Counsel

2019-02-07T23:16:05-05:00August 15th, 2018|Criminal Defense|

When you're suspected of committing a crime, understanding your legal rights is imperative for avoiding self-incrimination or any other negative outcome. An essential part of United States citizenship includes knowing and comprehending the rights afforded to you by the constitution and other legal precedents. One of these vital rights is the Right to Counsel. Where Does the Right to Counsel Come From? The right to counsel is found in the Sixth Amendment to the United States Constitution. The initial interpretation of the Sixth Amendment only allowed defendants a right to counsel in criminal prosecutions. However, court cases have determined that [...]

3 Things to Know About Drug Possession Laws in Pennsylvania

2018-11-13T19:30:30-05:00June 13th, 2018|Drug Offense Charges, Pennsylvania Law|

Drug crimes across the nation, and in Pennsylvania specifically, are rising. According to one of the latest Uniform Crime Reports published by the FBI, drug arrests, whether it’s a drug delivery, drug possession or prescription fraud, happen every 20 seconds. In fact, from 2015 to 2016, national drug arrests have substantially gone up, going from 1,488,707 to 1,572,579 in just one short year. Under current Pennsylvania law, it is a crime to possess any drug including marijuana, cocaine, opioids, and methamphetamines. And because state laws are constantly changing, Bucks County criminal defense lawyer Keith J. Williams wants to take this [...]

Criminal Record Expungement: What You Need to Know

2019-08-22T20:31:31-04:00March 8th, 2018|Bucks County Programs, Criminal Defense, DUI Defense|

Having an arrest record, even if your charges were dismissed or withdrawn, can negatively affect many aspects. If you’ve never been convicted, your housing options, job opportunities, and educational opportunities can still be burdened. If you have ever been arrested or convicted of a crime, criminal record expungement can change your life. Below, you’ll gain a better understanding of the importance of criminal record expungement, the benefits it can have on your life, and what crimes, factors, and records are eligible for expungement. What is Criminal Record Expungement? The state of Pennsylvania recognizes that a first offense may not always [...]

Everything You Need to Know About Pennsylvania’s Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition (ARD) Program

2020-07-01T15:35:18-04:00February 26th, 2018|Bucks County Programs, Criminal Defense|

Theft, driving under the influence, possession of a controlled substance – having one or more of these offenses on your record can seriously impact both your personal and professional life. Even for first-time offenders, the penalties of a DUI, for example, can include but are not limited to: Months of probation Hundreds of dollars in fines Up to six months in jail Driver’s license suspension In Pennsylvania, the law acknowledges that one legal misstep does not necessarily reflect a person’s true character. The law recognizes that one lapse in judgment does not necessarily mean a person will engage in future [...]

The Reality of Drunk Driving Throughout the Holiday Season

2018-11-13T19:46:44-05:00December 14th, 2017|DUI Defense|

The holidays are a time of joy and excitement. Spending time with friends, family, and out-of-town guests, we regain a sense of who we are and where we came from. It’s an eternal tradition. But unfortunately, during this time of year, drunk driving is at its worst. In fact, according to a four-year study, over 42% of all traffic deaths were the fault of drunk drivers on New Year’s Eve. Now that the 2017 holiday season is well underway, we here at Keith J. Williams Law want to remind everyone to enjoy time with family and friends responsibly. [...]

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