The head of the Pennsylvania State Troopers Association on Monday (Dec. 28) stated Pennsylvania is in the midst of “a crisis like we’ve never seen before,” per the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. The 2008-9 Budget for the Commonwealth does not include funding for a new class of State Police Cadets. The concern by the State Troopers Association is that without new Troopers, the ranks will be seriously in trouble when other Troopers elect to retire. If there are car accidents or crimes, will the State Police have the personnel to keep up?
State Police Agencies have been assisted by the Obama Stimulus Money. However, they are not immune to cuts in their Budget.
Will Pennsylvania be able to adequately replace retiring Troopers? That is the pressing question.
“If no cadet class graduates next year, and another wave of retirements takes place in 2010, there likely would be fewer troopers at the end of Gov. Ed Rendell's two terms in office than there were when he became governor in 2003,” quotes the Tribune-Review (citing a Troopers Association lobbyist). Rendell has offered to initiate a $10 surcharge on traffic violations to assist in State Police funding.
David Schreiber
Mayerson Schreiber McDevitt, PC
www.mayerson.com
610-948-4800
serving: Spring City, Douglassville, Birdsboro, Phoenixville, Royersford, Limerick, Boyerstown, Gilbertsville, Pottstown areas
Monday, December 28, 2009
Man Charged with Vehicular Homicide for Elverson DUI Crash
An Elverson man has been charged with vehicular homicide by the DA related to a Sept. 6 crash that killed two people. He recently waived his preliminary hearing, which is a common tactic by lawyers who defend such individuals when they believe the District Judge is clearly going to find a prima facie case to turn it over to Common Pleas Court.
The Defendant through his lawyer pleaded not guilty to charges of vehicular homicide while under the influence and related charges.
He allegedly jumped over a guard rail and fell 36 feet in an attempt to flee. The crash killed a Norristown married couple.
Police claim the Defendant was under the influence of marijuana when he drove the wrong way on 202 North Exit Ramp at Frazer and hit a Suzuki Sidekick.
Victims' family were present at the Preliminary Hearing and obviously grieving.
The police report indicates officers responded at 1:57 a.m. and stopped the Defendant, who was running on the southbound side of Route 202. He had blood on his face and body. At 4:12 a.m., the West Whiteland Township Police Department detectives spoke with the Defendant at the hospital. He apparently claimed not to remember the incident and claimed to have last remembered leaving his apartment in Frazer and driving toward Elverson.
Blood and urine samples were obtained at the hospital.
If you would like more information about your rights when hit by a drunk driver in Chester, Montgomery or Berks County, feel free to contact us. We have extensive experience in handling civil cases for victims of drunk drivers.
David Schreiber
Mayerson Schreiber McDevitt, PC
www.mayerson.com
The Defendant through his lawyer pleaded not guilty to charges of vehicular homicide while under the influence and related charges.
He allegedly jumped over a guard rail and fell 36 feet in an attempt to flee. The crash killed a Norristown married couple.
Police claim the Defendant was under the influence of marijuana when he drove the wrong way on 202 North Exit Ramp at Frazer and hit a Suzuki Sidekick.
Victims' family were present at the Preliminary Hearing and obviously grieving.
The police report indicates officers responded at 1:57 a.m. and stopped the Defendant, who was running on the southbound side of Route 202. He had blood on his face and body. At 4:12 a.m., the West Whiteland Township Police Department detectives spoke with the Defendant at the hospital. He apparently claimed not to remember the incident and claimed to have last remembered leaving his apartment in Frazer and driving toward Elverson.
Blood and urine samples were obtained at the hospital.
If you would like more information about your rights when hit by a drunk driver in Chester, Montgomery or Berks County, feel free to contact us. We have extensive experience in handling civil cases for victims of drunk drivers.
David Schreiber
Mayerson Schreiber McDevitt, PC
www.mayerson.com
Sunday, December 27, 2009
Changes to Pennsylvana Right to Know Law?
One big question sparking the debate is whether Taxpayers should bear the cost, or part of the cost, for public information requests under the "Right to Know Law".
Should the Commonwealth be able to cancel a request it believes to be a practical impossibility?
According to the Associated Press, Through the first 10 months of the year, right-to-know requests to state agencies under the governor in Pennsylvania cost PA taxpayers $136,000 over and above the copying fees collected.
The law could be amended as early as the spring, according to its prime sponsor, Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi, R-Delaware, as told to the Associated Press.
Another issue to likely be considered in this law is whether there should be disclosure of government employees' home addresses. The current law only prohibits disclosure of addresses of law enforcement officers, judges and juveniles.
If you would like more information about Personal Injury Law or Legal News in our area, feel free to contact us.
David Schreiber
Mayerson Schreiber McDevvitt, PC
610-948-4800
www.mayerson.com
Should the Commonwealth be able to cancel a request it believes to be a practical impossibility?
According to the Associated Press, Through the first 10 months of the year, right-to-know requests to state agencies under the governor in Pennsylvania cost PA taxpayers $136,000 over and above the copying fees collected.
The law could be amended as early as the spring, according to its prime sponsor, Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi, R-Delaware, as told to the Associated Press.
Another issue to likely be considered in this law is whether there should be disclosure of government employees' home addresses. The current law only prohibits disclosure of addresses of law enforcement officers, judges and juveniles.
If you would like more information about Personal Injury Law or Legal News in our area, feel free to contact us.
David Schreiber
Mayerson Schreiber McDevvitt, PC
610-948-4800
www.mayerson.com
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Mass. State Senator Blames Failed Breathalyzer Test On Toothpaste
A Massachussets State Senator now has another legal issue. He failed Breathalyzer tests. He was already on house arrest. He blamed the test results on his use of toothpaste.
He previously pled guilty to a hit and run car crash.
The State Senator claims the breath test results are due to his use of Colgate Total Whitening and Sensodyne toothpaste, which contains the sugar alcohol sorbitol.
He pleaded guilty to a hit-and-run that happened in October 2009 in Cambridge that left a father and his 13-year-old son injured.
He has previous drunk driving offenses. He received probation for two years but was being allowed to attend formal Senate sessions.
At Mayerson Schreiber McDevitt, P.C. we are experienced in handling civil cases for victims of drunk driving and the bars that serve visibly intoxicated persons.
If you have any questions, feel free to contact us.
David E. Schreiber
610-948-4800
www.mayerson.com
serving: Pottstown, Boyertown, Phoenixville, Gilbertsville, Spring City, Royersford, Limerick, Birdsboro, Douglassville
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Man arrested for DUI while operating a La-Z-boy
DUI laws are necessary to deter and punish people from operating motor vehicles while drunk. But, it doesn't have to be a car or truck. Recently, a
Minnesota man was arrested for DUI while--get this--operating a custom, motorized La-Z-boy chair. The blood test came back at a whopping 0.29 BAC. The chair was 'blinged-out' with stereo, cup holders, steering wheel and power antenna. It also had a National Hot Rod Association sticker on the headrest.
The operator crashed it into another vehicle near the bar he had recently left.
The chair was subsequently sold at auction for over $10,000.
Minnesota man was arrested for DUI while--get this--operating a custom, motorized La-Z-boy chair. The blood test came back at a whopping 0.29 BAC. The chair was 'blinged-out' with stereo, cup holders, steering wheel and power antenna. It also had a National Hot Rod Association sticker on the headrest.
The operator crashed it into another vehicle near the bar he had recently left.
The chair was subsequently sold at auction for over $10,000.
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Courtroom Yawn results in man getting 6 Months In Jail
Will County, Illinois
This is according to a Chicago Tribune story.
Clifton Williams recently, was in the courtroom of Circuit Judge Daniel Rozak. The judge didn't take kindly to Williams' yawning during a sentencing for Williams' cousin. He found Williams guilty of criminal contempt of court.
Some courtroom spectators were in agreement that Williams' yawn was no simple, involuntary action, but rather was timed and exaggerated so as to disrupt the sentencing proceeding, however briefly.
Williams will actually be facing more jail time than his cousin the drug defendant, who got two years' probation for his offense. Williams received six months in jail, which, according to the Tribune story, is the max he could receive without actually going to jury trial. He's expected to serve at least three weeks.
Some are now asking whether Judge Rozak may have overreacted. A judge with a reputation for running a strict courtroom, Rozak appears to hand out a large share of contempt orders -- four out of the five brought in Will County this year. (There are 30 judges in the county).
David Schreiber
610-948-4800
www.mayerson.com
Mayerson Schreiber McDevitt, P.C.
Will County, Illinois
This is according to a Chicago Tribune story.
Clifton Williams recently, was in the courtroom of Circuit Judge Daniel Rozak. The judge didn't take kindly to Williams' yawning during a sentencing for Williams' cousin. He found Williams guilty of criminal contempt of court.
Some courtroom spectators were in agreement that Williams' yawn was no simple, involuntary action, but rather was timed and exaggerated so as to disrupt the sentencing proceeding, however briefly.
Williams will actually be facing more jail time than his cousin the drug defendant, who got two years' probation for his offense. Williams received six months in jail, which, according to the Tribune story, is the max he could receive without actually going to jury trial. He's expected to serve at least three weeks.
Some are now asking whether Judge Rozak may have overreacted. A judge with a reputation for running a strict courtroom, Rozak appears to hand out a large share of contempt orders -- four out of the five brought in Will County this year. (There are 30 judges in the county).
David Schreiber
610-948-4800
www.mayerson.com
Mayerson Schreiber McDevitt, P.C.
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