By Regan Jarvis, Staff Writer The Sixth Amendment guarantees criminal defendants’ right to a speedy and public trial with an impartial jury, however, it does not prohibit the publication of mugshots and arrest records prior to a conviction.[1] With the growing presence of social media, many police departments have turned to these platforms, […]
By Christina Pici, Staff Writer During my internship with the Allegheny County District Attorney’s Office I had the opportunity to witness how the two-part consent law protects an individual, even though my initial reaction was to question why anyone would consent to such recording. Pennsylvania’s “two-party consent” law makes it […]
By Karissa Murphy, Executive Editor The Fourth Amendment to the United States Constitution provides, in relevant part, that “[t]he right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated[.]”[1] As far back as 1886, the Supreme Court […]
By Nick Frost, Staff Writer Pittsburgh Steelers Linebackers Coach Joey Porter was charged with aggravated assault involving a police officer, simple assault, resisting arrest, defiant trespass, summary disorderly conduct and summary public drunkenness. These charges have been drastically reduced as the more severe charges (aggravated assault involving a police […]
By Amber McGee, Staff Writer With several polarizing issues making headlines today, there seem to be protests everywhere. The right to free speech is something so central to what it means to be an American that, often, groups seeking to exercise it do not fully understand that there are limitations […]
By Jennifer Carter, Staff Writer Since the legalization of marijuana in Colorado in January 2014, fatalities caused by drivers under the influence of drugs has skyrocketed. Similarly, Pennsylvania has seen a 43 percent increase in DUI-drug arrests between 2014 and 2015 alone.[1] This increase appeared well before the bill […]
By Stephanie Shriver-Byrne, Staff Writer Deadly school shootings shock and traumatize a community like nothing else. On Sept. 28, 2016, a 6-year-old boy was shot and mortally wounded while going outside to play for recess.[1] Unfortunately, school shootings have been part of America’s history,[2] but since the mass shooting […]
By Roy Cross Reports of clowns terrorizing citizens across America have been coming in steadily since late August of this year.[1] Whether via social media or local TV news stations, everyone seems to have heard about these horrifying jokers. While few reports have been substantiated, they have created mass […]
Safety First? By Alison Palmeri, Staff Writer What do you do when you’re driving down a backroad at night and suddenly see police-style lights flashing behind you? If your instincts are like most people, then driving to a well-lit area before stopping seems like the safest bet. Do this, however, […]
