Pennsylvania’s Secretary of Transportation Leslie S. Richards announced that, “even though the number of people killed in drug- and alcohol-related crashes decreased [in 2014, PennDOT] and law enforcement will not reduce our efforts to make Pennsylvania roads safer. Enforcement and education efforts occur year round, but will be especially focused through the upcoming holiday travel period.” Combating impaired driving is one of the Department of Transportation’s most important functions. Statewide, drug- and alcohol-related crash fatalities decreased from 512 in 2013 to 485 in 2014. Last year, there were 144 alcohol-related crashes which resulted in 16 fatalities over the Labor Day weekend in Pennsylvania. PennDOT maintains data for the past ten years of traffic fatalities on its website. Pennsylvania State Police and local police departments across the state will add their efforts in enforcing the national “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” initiative through the Labor Day holiday weekend. Many of Pennsylvania’s County DUI Task Forces, the Pennsylvania State Police and local law enforcement will conduct checkpoints and roving patrols as part of this weekend’s DUI crackdown. Funding comes from part of PennDOT’s statewide distribution of $4.6 million in federal funds from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Pennsylvania’s per se…
Read MoreThis Friday, June 5, through Sunday, June 7, the Nether Providence Police Department will be conducting a sobriety checkpoint between the hours of 11 p.m. and 4 a.m. The checkpoint aims to detect impaired drivers before an accident occurs. Be mindful of this as you are out this weekend driving through Nether Providence, Delaware County, PA. Be safe: don’t drink and drive. If you find yourself charged with DUI in Delaware County you will need an experienced criminal defense attorney on your side. Contact MMD&C for a free consultation.
Read MoreAfter a jury trial in the Delaware County Court of Common Pleas last week, MMD&C successfully represented a client in getting a ‘Not Guilty‘ verdict on all felony charges. MMD&C’s attorney was able to convince the jury that his client did not enter the alleged victim’s apartment with the intent to commit any crime which led to an acquittal on the felony Burglary charge. Additionally, despite testimony by the complainant that he was struck on the head with a firearm several times during the course of a physical altercation, the jury acquitted the client of the felony charge of Aggravated Assault. The client and his fiancée are very pleased with the outcome of the trial and with MMD&C’s diligent and zealous representation in the criminal courts.
Read MoreMMD&C Associate and Family Law Attorney Lucas A. Clark, VI has risen up through the ranks of the Family Law Section of the Delaware County Bar Association from Chairperson of the Committee on Support Matters to Secretary to Chair-Elect and now Chairperson of the entire Family Law Section. On January 7, 2015 Luke ran his first meeting as Chairperson and will continue to do so throughout the year. As Chairperson, Luke is responsible for running the monthly meetings, coordinating social and continuing legal education events, and taking the lead on addressing issues facing the Section. Luke will be helping to run a CLE with the President Judge scheduled later this month on the status of the Family Law Section. Additionally, Luke will help host the Section’s annual Spring, Summer, and Winter events as well as set up the Section’s next two continuing legal education seminars. Lastly, Luke will be working with the Young Lawyers’ Section to continue co-sponsoring events such as the March Madness event in mid-March. Luke is always happy to discuss any questions or concerns with regard to the Family Law Section and the practice of Family Law.
Read MoreEarlier this summer, the Pennsylvania Superior Court issued its decision in S.W.D. v. S.A.R., which involved a primary dispute around whether a five year old should attend public or church-oriented kindergarten. The essential question decided in this case is whether a school decision required the trial court to evaluate the 16 specified custody factors set forth in 23 Pa.C.S. 5328(a). The Superior Court’s decision provides the bench and the bar with a strong and coherent analysis of when the statutory factors must be applied to the facts. The Court cited to the statute itself, specifically that the factors must be applied to any form of custody, which is distinguished from custody decisions which may change terms but not form. The Court decided that a decision regarding schooling alone is not one that warrants analysis of all of the statutory factors. However, the Court did set forth that a school change that required a change in the form of the custody order may require the complete analysis. The Court did note that all of the statutory factors may become relevant in any custody decision and that both the factors and the role of any Court are to promote the child’s interest.
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