Bickerton Law Blog


"Updates and perspectives on criminal law with an emphasis on Pennsylvania law."

Author: William Bickerton is a solo practitioner in Pittsburgh.

Blawg Related Categories: Criminal Justice • States • Pennsylvania • Solo / Small Firm • Private Defense

Recent Posts from Bickerton Law Blog


  • In the News: Arsonist charged with murder for heart attack deaths

    Rickie Lee Fowler has been charged with five counts of first-degree murder after after five men died from heart attacks during the 2003 San Bernadino wildfires. Supervising Deputy District Attorney Victor Strull contends that, even…

  • In the News: Craigslist lawsuit dismissed

    U.S. District Court Judge John Grady has dismissed a lawsuit filed against Craiglist alleging that the company failed to adequately deter prostitutes from posting in its "Erotic Services" (now "Adult Services") section. Judge Grady concluded…

  • In the News: Attorney-client calls in PGH jail recorded, given to prosecutors

    The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that the Allegheny County Jail has taped attorney-client telephone calls and released some of those tapes to the U.S. Attorney's Office. Jail officials contend that the taping was likely the inadvertent…

  • BriefLaw: Commonwealth v. Omar

    Commonwealth v. Omar J-162A-B-2008 (10/05/2009)Topic: Trademark Counterfeiting - ConstitutionalitySummary: 18 Pa.C.S.A. Section 4119, which prohibited the unauthorized use of a trademark, was struck down as being overbroad. The law prohibited any use of a trademark…

  • In the News: More protests in Oakland Saturday night

    On Saturday night, a group gathered in the Oakland section of Pittsburgh to protest police actions during demonstrations held during the two-day Pittsburgh G20 summit. While almost 200 people were arrested during the demonstrations on…

  • In the News: 110 Arrested in Oakland after G20

    Pittsburgh Police arrested 110 protestors who gathered in Schenley Plaza last night after the conclusion of the G20 Summit. Reports state that after 400 people gathered in Schenley Plaza to demonstrate in what was called…

  • In the News: 66 Arrested at Pittsburgh G20 Summit

    KDKA reports that 66 people were arrested during the first day of the Pittsburgh G20 Summit. Additionally, 20 local businesses suffered property damage as a result of G20 protest related disturbances. KDKA points out that…

  • BriefLaw: Commonwealth v. Harry Galendez

    Commonwealth v. Harry Galendez 2009 PA Super 185 (9/16/2009)Topic: Defendant's Right to be Present - Parole and Probation SearchesSummary: 1.) The defendant and his counsel have the right to be present at every crucial stage…

  • BriefLaw: Commonwealth v. Christina Marie Houtz

    Commonwealth v. Christina Marie Houtz 2009 PA Super 186 (9/16/2009)Topic: Terms of Probation - Undue RestrictionsSummary: A probationary restriction must be reasonably tied to the illegal act. Therefore, where a defendant was not accused of…

  • BriefLaw: Commonwealth v. Jeffrey A. Madeira

    Commonwealth v. Madeira 2009 PA Super 180 (9/14/1009)Topic: Sentencing - Mandatory MinimumSummary: When a statute uses the language "not less than," the sentence referred to must be interpreted to be a mandatory minimum.http://www.pacourts.us/OpPosting/Superior/out/s37026_09.pdf