Pennsylvania - Paralegal Brief

Pennsylvania Supreme Court to decide constitutionality of mandatory life imprisonment for felony murder

JURIST

FEBRUARY 17, 2024

The Pennsylvania Supreme Court announced Friday that it will hear an appeal from Derek Lee, a man convicted of second-degree murder who is challenging the state’s law requiring mandatory life prison sentences for those found guilty of the offense who did not intend to kill.

Felony

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Pennsylvania inmates sue state corrections department over ‘torturous’ solitary confinement conditions

JURIST

OCTOBER 4, 2023

A group of five Pennsylvania inmates sued the state’s Department of Corrections and its employees, according to a Tuesday announcement from the Pennsylvania Institutional Law Project. The lawsuit, filed last week, alleges severe mental health consequences stemming from the use of solitary confinement in Pennsylvania prisons.

Court

Court Laws

Pennsylvania governor will continue state death penalty moratorium

JURIST

FEBRUARY 16, 2023

Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro Thursday announced that he will not issue execution warrants while in office, thus continuing a moratorium on the death penalty in Pennsylvania. The governor also called on the PA General Assembly to abolish the death penalty in Pennsylvania.

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Less Stress, More Success: Accounting Best Practices & Processes for 2025

Trial Prep: What Attorneys Really Want (And How to Deliver It)

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Pennsylvania federal court rules election official should count undated mail-in ballots

JURIST

NOVEMBER 24, 2023

A federal court in Pennsylvania ruled that undated mail-in ballots must be counted in a Monday decision that could significantly influence future elections in the state. The post Pennsylvania federal court rules election official should count undated mail-in ballots appeared first on JURIST - News.

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Pennsylvania appeals court finds housing authority cannot deny assistance to certain former criminal defendants

JURIST

NOVEMBER 3, 2023

An appeals court in Pennsylvania affirmed a trial court ruling on Thursday which held that welfare fraud and outstanding restitution balance cannot be used to justify the denial of housing assistance. The decision signaled a win for applicants seeking housing vouchers in Pennsylvania.

Court

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Pennsylvania court declares state mail-in voting law unconstitutional

JURIST

JANUARY 29, 2022

The Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania Friday declared unconstitutional Pennsylvania’s “no-excuse mail-in voting law,” which permits voters to cast their ballots by mail without providing an excuse for their absence. Article XIII-D was added by Act 77, which provides that “any qualified elector may vote by mail.”

Laws

Laws Court Statute

“Thousands of Pennsylvania Ballots Will Be Tossed on a Technicality. Thank SCOTUS.”

HowAppealing

NOVEMBER 5, 2024

“Thousands of Pennsylvania Ballots Will Be Tossed on a Technicality. Thank SCOTUS.” ” Law professor Richard L. Hasen , founder of the “ Election Law Blog ,” has this Jurisprudence essay online at Slate.

Laws

“Pennsylvania Faces a Moment of Truth for Life Without Parole; The Pennsylvania Supreme Court is considering whether requiring life in prison without the possibility of parole for so-called felony murder is unconstitutional”

HowAppealing

OCTOBER 16, 2024

“Pennsylvania Faces a Moment of Truth for Life Without Parole; The Pennsylvania Supreme Court is considering whether requiring life in prison without the possibility of parole for so-called felony murder is unconstitutional”: Kathrina Szymborski Wolfkot and Anna Benham have this article online at State Court Report.

Felony

Felony Court

ACLU alleges Pennsylvania school district discriminated against after-school satanist club

JURIST

MARCH 31, 2023

A Pennsylvania school district violated the First Amendment rights of an after-school satanist club by banning its members from gathering for regular meetings on school grounds, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) argued in a complaint filed Thursday. TST) in its suit against the Saucon Valley School District of eastern Pennsylvania.

Construction

Construction Court Laws

US appeals court allows oil pipeline in New York and Pennsylvania to proceed despite environmental concerns

JURIST

JUNE 17, 2024

The US Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit ruled on Friday that the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) adequately evaluated emission impacts when it approved a gas pipeline expansion in Pennsylvania and New York, allowing the project to move forward.

Court

Court Legal Legal Laws

Pennsylvania federal jury finds Pittsburgh synagogue shooter eligible for death penalty

JURIST

JULY 13, 2023

A Pennsylvania federal jury on Thursday found the gunman responsible for the shooting deaths of 11 people at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania eligible for the death penalty. A Pennsylvania federal jury previously found Bowers guilty on 63 criminal charges—including hate crimes—on June 16.

Attorney

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Pennsylvania court rules state cannot tax carbon without legislative approval

JURIST

NOVEMBER 2, 2023

The Commonwealth Court found that Pennsylvania’s participation in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), a multi-state initiative with the goal of reducing CO2 emissions from power plants via carbon permits was unconstitutional. Pennsylvania’s participation in RGGI was promulgated by the DEP and EQB.

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Pennsylvania Supreme Court orders state police to disclose social media monitoring policy

JURIST

AUGUST 23, 2023

The Supreme Court of Pennsylvania ruled Tuesday that the state police (PSP) must disclose its social media monitoring policy to the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Pennsylvania under the state’s right-to-know law (RTKL). The case is an appeal from the Commonwealth Court of Pennslyvania. Justice David N.

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Pennsylvania jury convicts Pittsburgh synagogue shooter on all 63 charges

JURIST

JUNE 17, 2023

A Pennsylvania jury convicted the gunman responsible for the shooting deaths of 11 people at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on all 63 counts Friday. The post Pennsylvania jury convicts Pittsburgh synagogue shooter on all 63 charges appeared first on JURIST - News.

Manufacturing

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“Undated and misdated Pennsylvania ballots may not be counted in November after court ruling; The Pennsylvania Supreme Court threw out a lower court ruling that required such ballots to be counted during November’s presidential election”

HowAppealing

SEPTEMBER 14, 2024

“Undated and misdated Pennsylvania ballots may not be counted in November after court ruling; The Pennsylvania Supreme Court threw out a lower court ruling that required such ballots to be counted during November’s presidential election”: Katie Bernard and Jeremy Roebuck of The Philadelphia Inquirer have this report.

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Pennsylvania state court website down due to denial of service cyberattack

JURIST

FEBRUARY 5, 2024

Pennsylvania Chief Justice Debra Todd announced Sunday night that a portion of the Pennsylvania State Court’s website is unavailable because of a denial of service cyberattack. ” In the announcement, the Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts did not disclose the attacker’s motive or identity.

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“Cyberattack Hits Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts”

HowAppealing

FEBRUARY 5, 2024

“Cyberattack Hits Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts”: Aleeza Furman of The Legal Intelligencer has this breaking news report. The post “Cyberattack Hits Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts” appeared first on How Appealing.

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“Pennsylvania voters can cast a provisional ballot if their mail ballot is rejected, court says”

HowAppealing

SEPTEMBER 5, 2024

“Pennsylvania voters can cast a provisional ballot if their mail ballot is rejected, court says”: Marc Levy of The Associated Press has this report on an unpublished ruling that a divided three-judge panel of the Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania issued today.

Court

Pennsylvania Supreme Court rules police officers can no longer search vehicles without a warrant

JURIST

DECEMBER 23, 2020

The Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruled Tuesday that Article 1, Section 8 of the Pennsylvania Constitution offers greater protection to citizens from warrantless searches of their vehicles than does the Fourth Amendment of the United States Constitution. Thanks for your support! DONATE NOW.

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US Justice Department finds Pennsylvania courts discriminate against opioid users

JURIST

FEBRUARY 8, 2022

The US Department of Justice (DOJ) Monday publicly released a letter that found Pennsylvania’s court system violated the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) because it prohibited or limited individuals under court supervision from taking medication to treat opioid use disorder (OUD).

Compensatory Damages

Compensatory Damages Court Manufacturing Litigating

Pennsylvania voters file suit asking state court to redraw congressional districts

JURIST

DECEMBER 20, 2021

Registered voters filed suit Friday, asking the Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania to intervene in the state’s 2021 redistricting process. In the last decade, Pennsylvania’s population has grown more slowly than other states. Following federal reapportionment, Pennsylvania lost one seat in the US House of Representatives.

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DOJ sues Pennsylvania courts for discrimination against recovering opioid addicts

JURIST

FEBRUARY 26, 2022

The Department of Justice (DOJ) Thursday filed a lawsuit in the US District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania against the Unified Judicial System (UJS) of Pennsylvania, alleging that the UJS has violated the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

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Supreme Court allows Pennsylvania to continue to enforce bar on gun possession for those under 21

SCOTUSBlog

OCTOBER 15, 2024

Share The Supreme Court on Tuesday sent a challenge to a Pennsylvania law barring people 18- to 20-years-old from carrying guns back to the lower courts for another look in light of last term’s decision in United States v. The announcement came on a list of orders from the justices’ private conference last week. In Paris v.

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Pennsylvania Supreme Court strikes down victims’ rights constitutional amendment

JURIST

DECEMBER 23, 2021

The Pennsylvania Supreme Court on Tuesday struck down “Marsy’s Law,” a victims’ rights amendment that would have added a new provision to Article I of the Pennsylvania Constitution. million in favor to 600,000 against —i.e. 74 percent to 26 percent. .” million in favor to 600,000 against —i.e.

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“Pennsylvania Mail Ballots at the Supreme Court; The Justices are asked to halt the state Supreme Court’s judicial rewrite on rejected mail ballots”

HowAppealing

OCTOBER 29, 2024

“Pennsylvania Mail Ballots at the Supreme Court; The Justices are asked to halt the state Supreme Court’s judicial rewrite on rejected mail ballots”: The Wall Street Journal has published this editorial.

Court

Pennsylvania top court rules Commonwealth can use WiFi connection data without warrant

JURIST

NOVEMBER 17, 2021

The Supreme Court of Pennsylvania ruled in favor of the Commonwealth on Wednesday , allowing Pennsylvania to use WiFi connection information which police obtained without a warrant to pinpoint the defendant’s location at the time of an on-campus robbery at Moravian College. In Commonwealth v.

Court Rules

Court Rules Court Legal Legal

The Key Difference Between Federal Rule of Evidence 608(b) and its Pennsylvania Counterpart

EvidenceProf Blog

AUGUST 16, 2024

In this post, I'll note a key difference between Federal Rule of Evidence 608(b) and its Pennsylvania counterpart. In yesterday's post, I noted a key difference between Federal Rule of Evidence 608(b) and its Oregon counterpart. Federal Rule of Evidence.

Supreme Court of Pennsylvania agrees to consider whether to limit availability of “statutory employer” defense

HowAppealing

MAY 17, 2024

Supreme Court of Pennsylvania agrees to consider whether to limit availability of “statutory employer” defense: Yesterday, the Pennsylvania’s highest court issued this order granting review in the case.

Court

“Divided Pennsylvania Supreme Court, In Case Involving Mail-In and Provisional Ballots, Tees Up Potential Independent State Legislature Theory for U.S. Supreme Court”

HowAppealing

OCTOBER 24, 2024

“Divided Pennsylvania Supreme Court, In Case Involving Mail-In and Provisional Ballots, Tees Up Potential Independent State Legislature Theory for U.S. Supreme Court”: Rick Hasen has this post at his “Election Law Blog.”

Court

Court Laws

Pennsylvania top court rules for gas drilling firms in antitrust lawsuit

JURIST

MARCH 26, 2021

The Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruled Wednesday that the attorney general’s office does not have authority under the consumer protection law to sue natural gas exploration firms over their leasing practices.

Court Rules

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“Pennsylvania Supreme Court Issues Scheduling Order So That Any 2024 Election-Related Challenges Can Be Decided Quickly”

HowAppealing

AUGUST 29, 2024

“Pennsylvania Supreme Court Issues Scheduling Order So That Any 2024 Election-Related Challenges Can Be Decided Quickly”: Rick Hasen has this post at his “Election Law Blog.” ” You can access the Pa. Supreme Court ‘s order at this link.

Court

Court Laws

“Dealing with the Pennsylvania Supreme Court’s Non-Decision on Standards Compliance Evidence”

HowAppealing

JANUARY 16, 2024

“Dealing with the Pennsylvania Supreme Court’s Non-Decision on Standards Compliance Evidence”: James M. The post “Dealing with the Pennsylvania Supreme Court’s Non-Decision on Standards Compliance Evidence” appeared first on How Appealing. Beck has this post at the “Drug & Device Law” blog.

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Former Pennsylvania judges ordered to pay $200M to victims of juvenile detention scandal

JURIST

AUGUST 18, 2022

A federal judge Wednesday ordered former Pennsylvania judges Mark Ciavarella and Michael Conahan to pay more than $200 million in damages to victims in the 2010 “kids for cash” juvenile detention scandal. Both former judges waived their right to participate at trial.

Compensatory Damages

Compensatory Damages Punitive Damages Laws Court

Pennsylvania Appellate Court Issues Important Win For Parents Using Assisted Reproduction

Above The Law

JANUARY 17, 2024

The post Pennsylvania Appellate Court Issues Important Win For Parents Using Assisted Reproduction appeared first on Above the Law. This case has experienced a rocky road -- but one with a happy ending for parents using assisted reproduction, even without a genetic connection.

Court

Court Laws Family Law Technology

“Pennsylvania cannot bar adults under 21 from carrying guns, court rules”

HowAppealing

JANUARY 18, 2024

“Pennsylvania cannot bar adults under 21 from carrying guns, court rules”: Nate Raymond of Reuters has this report. The post “Pennsylvania cannot bar adults under 21 from carrying guns, court rules” appeared first on How Appealing. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit at this link.

Court Rules

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Pennsylvania man arrested for alleged torture of employee in Iraq

JURIST

FEBRUARY 18, 2022

A Pennsylvania man was arrested Thursday on charges alleging that he tortured a victim in the Kurdistan region of Iraq in 2015, after a superseding indictment was returned on Tuesday in the Middle District of Pennsylvania. The post Pennsylvania man arrested for alleged torture of employee in Iraq appeared first on JURIST - News.

Construction

Construction Court Laws

“Gun case ruling irrelevant to Pennsylvania anti-harassment ethics rule, lawyer says”

HowAppealing

AUGUST 23, 2023

“Gun case ruling irrelevant to Pennsylvania anti-harassment ethics rule, lawyer says”: David Thomas of Reuters has this report. The post “Gun case ruling irrelevant to Pennsylvania anti-harassment ethics rule, lawyer says” appeared first on How Appealing.

Lawyers

Lawyers Lawyer

“Pennsylvania Supreme Court Announces Upcoming Retirement of State Court Administrator Geoff Moulton”

HowAppealing

APRIL 25, 2023

“Pennsylvania Supreme Court Announces Upcoming Retirement of State Court Administrator Geoff Moulton”: The Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts issued this news release today.

Court

“US appeals court to decide if Pennsylvania mail-in ballots with wrong date still count”

HowAppealing

FEBRUARY 20, 2024

“US appeals court to decide if Pennsylvania mail-in ballots with wrong date still count”: Maryclaire Dale and Mark Scolforo of The Associated Press have this report. The post “US appeals court to decide if Pennsylvania mail-in ballots with wrong date still count” appeared first on How Appealing.

Court

“Expensive judicial races might be here to stay in Pennsylvania after record high court campaign”

HowAppealing

NOVEMBER 10, 2023

“Expensive judicial races might be here to stay in Pennsylvania after record high court campaign”: Marc Levy of The Associated Press has this report. The post “Expensive judicial races might be here to stay in Pennsylvania after record high court campaign” appeared first on How Appealing.

Court

“This Ivy League Professor Accused of Racism Was Suspended. Now, She’s Fighting Back. The University of Pennsylvania found Amy Wax had a long history of unprofessional conduct; she says it’s protected speech.”

HowAppealing

OCTOBER 17, 2024

The University of Pennsylvania found Amy Wax had a long history of unprofessional conduct; she says it’s protected speech.” “This Ivy League Professor Accused of Racism Was Suspended. Now, She’s Fighting Back. ” Joseph De Avila of The Wall Street Journal has this report.

“Pennsylvania Court, on 4-1 Vote, Holds That Failing to Count Timely But Undated (or Misdated) Mail-In Ballots Violates the State Constitution; Case Likely Headed to State Supreme Court and Potentially SCOTUS on Federal Cases”:

HowAppealing

AUGUST 30, 2024

“Pennsylvania Court, on 4-1 Vote, Holds That Failing to Count Timely But Undated (or Misdated) Mail-In Ballots Violates the State Constitution; Case Likely Headed to State Supreme Court and Potentially SCOTUS on Federal Cases”: Rick Hasen has this post at his “Election Law Blog.”

Court

Court Court Rules Laws

Pennsylvania municipalities sue state over preemption of local plastic bans

JURIST

MARCH 5, 2021

Philadelphia and three other municipalities, filed suit against the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the Pennsylvania legislature on Wednesday, claiming the legislature unconstitutionally deprived the municipalities of their right to pass ordinances on single-use plastics.

Laws

Laws Legal Legal

“Court upholds new maps for Pennsylvania General Assembly”

HowAppealing

MARCH 16, 2022

“Court upholds new maps for Pennsylvania General Assembly”: Mark Scolforo of The Associated Press has this report on an order that the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania issued today.

Court

Pennsylvania Supreme Court to decide constitutionality of mandatory life imprisonment for felony murder

Pennsylvania inmates sue state corrections department over ‘torturous’ solitary confinement conditions

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Pennsylvania governor will continue state death penalty moratorium

Webinars

Pennsylvania federal court rules election official should count undated mail-in ballots

Pennsylvania appeals court finds housing authority cannot deny assistance to certain former criminal defendants

Pennsylvania court declares state mail-in voting law unconstitutional

“Thousands of Pennsylvania Ballots Will Be Tossed on a Technicality. Thank SCOTUS.”

“Pennsylvania Faces a Moment of Truth for Life Without Parole; The Pennsylvania Supreme Court is considering whether requiring life in prison without the possibility of parole for so-called felony murder is unconstitutional”

ACLU alleges Pennsylvania school district discriminated against after-school satanist club

US appeals court allows oil pipeline in New York and Pennsylvania to proceed despite environmental concerns

Pennsylvania federal jury finds Pittsburgh synagogue shooter eligible for death penalty

Pennsylvania court rules state cannot tax carbon without legislative approval

Pennsylvania Supreme Court orders state police to disclose social media monitoring policy

Pennsylvania jury convicts Pittsburgh synagogue shooter on all 63 charges

“Undated and misdated Pennsylvania ballots may not be counted in November after court ruling; The Pennsylvania Supreme Court threw out a lower court ruling that required such ballots to be counted during November’s presidential election”

Pennsylvania state court website down due to denial of service cyberattack

“Cyberattack Hits Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts”

“Pennsylvania voters can cast a provisional ballot if their mail ballot is rejected, court says”

Pennsylvania Supreme Court rules police officers can no longer search vehicles without a warrant

US Justice Department finds Pennsylvania courts discriminate against opioid users

Pennsylvania voters file suit asking state court to redraw congressional districts

DOJ sues Pennsylvania courts for discrimination against recovering opioid addicts

Supreme Court allows Pennsylvania to continue to enforce bar on gun possession for those under 21

Pennsylvania Supreme Court strikes down victims’ rights constitutional amendment

“Pennsylvania Mail Ballots at the Supreme Court; The Justices are asked to halt the state Supreme Court’s judicial rewrite on rejected mail ballots”

Pennsylvania top court rules Commonwealth can use WiFi connection data without warrant

The Key Difference Between Federal Rule of Evidence 608(b) and its Pennsylvania Counterpart

Supreme Court of Pennsylvania agrees to consider whether to limit availability of “statutory employer” defense

“Divided Pennsylvania Supreme Court, In Case Involving Mail-In and Provisional Ballots, Tees Up Potential Independent State Legislature Theory for U.S. Supreme Court”

Pennsylvania top court rules for gas drilling firms in antitrust lawsuit

“Pennsylvania Supreme Court Issues Scheduling Order So That Any 2024 Election-Related Challenges Can Be Decided Quickly”

“Dealing with the Pennsylvania Supreme Court’s Non-Decision on Standards Compliance Evidence”

Former Pennsylvania judges ordered to pay $200M to victims of juvenile detention scandal

Pennsylvania Appellate Court Issues Important Win For Parents Using Assisted Reproduction

“Pennsylvania cannot bar adults under 21 from carrying guns, court rules”

Pennsylvania man arrested for alleged torture of employee in Iraq

“Gun case ruling irrelevant to Pennsylvania anti-harassment ethics rule, lawyer says”

“Pennsylvania Supreme Court Announces Upcoming Retirement of State Court Administrator Geoff Moulton”

“US appeals court to decide if Pennsylvania mail-in ballots with wrong date still count”

“Expensive judicial races might be here to stay in Pennsylvania after record high court campaign”

“This Ivy League Professor Accused of Racism Was Suspended. Now, She’s Fighting Back. The University of Pennsylvania found Amy Wax had a long history of unprofessional conduct; she says it’s protected speech.”

“Pennsylvania Court, on 4-1 Vote, Holds That Failing to Count Timely But Undated (or Misdated) Mail-In Ballots Violates the State Constitution; Case Likely Headed to State Supreme Court and Potentially SCOTUS on Federal Cases”:

Pennsylvania municipalities sue state over preemption of local plastic bans

“Court upholds new maps for Pennsylvania General Assembly”

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