Philadelphia, PA Metro/Criminal Law Blog

The NFL season will come to a close on Sunday, February 5^th. The New York Giants will play the New England Patriots in Indianapolis to determine who will bring home the Lombardi Trophy. Those who cannot attend the game in person will be glued to the television, as the game always generates high ratings. The day has a holiday-like feel, with many people hosting parties for their friends and family.

Unfortunately, Super Bowl Sunday is also a very popular day for law enforcement, as DUI patrols and sobriety checkpoints will be increased throughout Pennsylvania. Federal and state advertising campaigns have been running throughout the holiday season notifying drivers that police will be cracking down on those who drink and drive.

One of the more common traditions during the holiday season involves getting together with family, friends and co-workers. Many of these gatherings offer an opportunity to relax and celebrate the past year. Unfortunately, the holidays also see an alarming number of drunk driving arrests, and this year was no exception.

The holiday season brings with it lots of parties and good cheer. As a result, Pennsylvanians might find themselves drinking a little bit more than they normally do.

Excess drinking poses dangers well beyond embarrassing yourself at the company party. If you get behind the wheel, you run the risk of facing a Pennsylvania drunk driving charge. Even worse, you could cause an accident that injures yourself or others.

It used to be that the biggest property fight in nearly every divorce was over who got to keep the house. Now, in the wake of the Great Recession and its attendant foreclosure crisis, this dispute looks much different - couples are fighting over who must take responsibility for the mortgage debt.

Pennsylvania divorce attorneys and family law lawyers throughout the country are reporting a huge increase in divorce settlement complications surrounding housing debt.

Legislation before the Pennsylvania Senate would, if passed, mandate the installation of ignition interlock devices in the vehicles of people convicted of their first offense for driving under the influence (DUI). An ignition interlock device requires a driver to submit to a breath test before the ignition interlock device allows the vehicle to start.

With several high-profile bullying incidents in the news, many legislators are working to stop bulling and prevent bully-related tragedies. On September 1, 2011, New Jersey's tough, new anti-bullying law took effect. And now, Pennsylvania is trying to join New Jersey at the forefront of aggressively addressing bullying.

Two anti-bullying bills currently before committee were introduced by Representative Michael O'Brien (D-Philadelphia). The first bill would make bullying, including cyberbulling, a crime in Pennsylvania. For minors, the first two incidents of bullying committed would be considered summery offenses; minors charged with subsequent offenses would be charged with third-degree misdemeanors.

In recent years, distracted driving has been the focal point of safe driving campaigns. From United States Department of Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood's distracted driving campaign to state laws from coast to coast, distracted driving laws banning texting and driving have taken effect with the goal of increasing safety on the roads.

There is currently a growing divorce among baby-boomers in the United States. These "gray divorces" often involve couples who have been together for decades, and despite having lived a large portion of their lives together, decide that it is time to move on.

It almost seems counterintuitive that couples together for decades would suddenly file for divorce, but there are many reasons why couples may end their marriage.

Children of older couples are usually grown, so there is no need to stay together for the sake of the children. Also, many women are financially independent and do not rely on their husbands for financial support.