Pennsylvania Law Archives - Keith J. Williams Law

Understanding Pennsylvania’s New “Clean Slate Law”
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Understanding Pennsylvania’s New “Clean Slate Law”

Criminal Defense, Pennsylvania Law

Understanding Pennsylvania’s New “Clean Slate Law”

Lenore Suhanec2019-08-13T19:49:49-04:00June 12th, 2019|Criminal Defense, Pennsylvania Law|

In a recent breakthrough for Pennsylvania’s criminal justice system reform, residents of the state who had previously been found guilty of nonviolent misdemeanor criminal offenses may have their records sealed from the eyes of the public — given that the individuals have paid all fines and have kept a clean record for at least ten years with PA’s Clean Slate law. What this new PA “Clean Slate Law” means is that individuals may file with the courts to have their prior criminal history hidden, offering Pennsylvanians who have run into nonviolent trouble with the law in the past a fresh [...]

Understanding Pennsylvania’s No Fault Insurance Laws
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Understanding Pennsylvania’s No Fault Insurance Laws

Auto Accidents, Pennsylvania Law

Understanding Pennsylvania’s No Fault Insurance Laws

Lenore Suhanec2019-02-07T22:22:30-05:00January 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
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New Amendment to End License Suspensions for Drug Crimes

Drug Offense Charges, Pennsylvania Law

New Amendment to End License Suspensions for Drug Crimes

Lenore Suhanec2019-02-07T22:47:47-05:00December 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
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Driving Drunk or Drugged? New Penalties Await

Criminal Defense, DUI Defense, Pennsylvania Law

Driving Drunk or Drugged? New Penalties Await

Lenore Suhanec2019-02-07T22:28:16-05:00December 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 [...]

3 Things to Know About Drug Possession Laws in Pennsylvania

Lenore Suhanec2018-11-13T19:30:30-05:00June 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 [...]

What To Know About New Senate Bill 290 A.K.A. “Ignition Interlock Law”

Lenore Suhanec2018-11-13T19:43:00-05:00September 6th, 2017|DUI Defense, Pennsylvania Law|

Keith J. Williams, Esq., a Warminster, PA criminal defense attorney, wants to inform citizens across Pennsylvania about a new bill. On Friday, August 25, 2017, a new historic bill was put into effect. Sponsored by Senator John Rafferty, R-Montgomery County, Senate Bill 290 allows those charged with driving under the influence for the first time to prevent them from having their driver’s licenses suspended for one year. Instead, this Ignition Interlock Law lets offenders keep their licenses while paying to have an ignition interlock system installed in their vehicles. The goal of this new bill is to decrease the amount [...]

What Act 10 A.K.A. “Libre’s Law” Means For Pet Owners

Lenore Suhanec2018-11-13T19:43:36-05:00August 23rd, 2017|Pennsylvania Law, Personal Injury|

Act 10, which is also known as "Libre's Law," was signed by the Governor of Pennsylvania on June 28, and will begin to take effect this August 28. Under this new law, maiming or killing an animal will be considered a felony. Keith J. Williams is taking this opportunity to make animal owners and citizens everywhere aware of what this new legislation means for them. In addition, he would also like to let readers know that he is more than capable of defending anyone who is charged under the rules of Act 10. Keith J. Williams Law does not condone [...]

The Difference Between Limited Access and Expungement

Lenore Suhanec2018-11-13T19:44:19-05:00July 26th, 2017|Bucks County Programs, Criminal Defense, Pennsylvania Law|

Pennsylvania’s recently instituted Limited Access Law grants citizens the ability to limit who can access their criminal records. While criminal justice agencies will still have access to these records, they will be removed from public view. This law allows these citizens to have a better chance to gain employment, housing, and education. Their criminal history often dissuades decision makers from giving these people jobs, property, or education. The Limited Access Law does not replace expungement; it is another option. If you are looking for a criminal defense attorney near Warminster, PA, and its surrounding areas that can help you understand [...]

Pennsylvania’s Ignition-Lock Law Takes into Effect in August

Lenore Suhanec2018-11-13T19:44:56-05:00July 10th, 2017|DUI Defense, Pennsylvania Law|

Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf signed into law a bipartisan bill last May that requires drivers who commit a first DUI offense to institute a device in their vehicles that measures blood alcohol levels. If you pass, you’re able to start your engine. […]

Farewell, Vehicle Registration Stickers

Lenore Suhanec2018-11-13T19:45:31-05:00February 20th, 2017|Pennsylvania Law, Traffic Violations|

At Keith J. Williams Law, we are committed not only to providing you with the finest legal representation in Bucks County and Montgomery County, but also to educating our clients on laws that pertain to them. On Dec. 30, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) issued its final vehicle registration sticker. A new state law went into effect, eliminating the requirement of placing those little stickers on your license plate. So, why did this happen? When did it become law? Here are a few things you should know about Act 89 and how it affects you. A Little Over Three [...]

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