Sex Crimes
Pierre LaTour
What is the Difference Between Rape and Sexual ...

State laws in the United States vary when it comes to sexual abuse charges. In the state of Pennsylvania, there are important distinctions between sexual assault and rape that a defendant should be aware of to properly understand their case. In addition, there are various types of sexual assault and rape that someone could be charged with.

What is the Difference Between Rape and Sexual Assault?
Drugs
Pierre LaTour
Police Use of Confidential Informants in Drug ...

Police use of confidential informants is widespread in Pennsylvania. Police often use these "informants" to buy or purchase narcotics, set up drug sales over the phone, and provide other information that the police use to make drug arrests.

Police Use of Confidential Informants in Drug Investigations
criminal defense, criminal attorney, statements
Pierre LaTour
Don't Talk to the Police!

Why its never a good idea, and who you need to call first.

Don't Talk to the Police!
Pierre LaTour
Are Social Media and Big Data Violating Civil ...

As we saw in our recent article on the issue of Doxing, civil rights violations go well beyond the police brutality, employment discrimination and political rights protected under the First Amendment. In fact human rights violations, sexual harassment, and hate crimes are rampant online.

Are Social Media and Big Data Violating Civil Liberties?
criminal attorney
Pierre LaTour
Case Files: How a Defense Attorney Can Win a ...

In the criminal justice system, people charged with a crime are entitled to a defense. In Philadelphia, the dedicated attorneys who defend the accused are members of an elite law firm known as Scarpello & LaTour. These are their stories.

Case Files: How a Defense Attorney Can Win a Case

Police brutality an ever increasing problem

Police brutality an ever increasing problem

The police have been in the news a lot recently, and most of the news has been bad.  Is police brutality a rapidly increasing problem, or has the rise of cell phone video and social media merely brought the problem from the streets to the front pages?

Has Pennsylvania really closed the gun permit loophole?

Has Pennsylvania really closed the gun permit loophole?

The current District Attorney’s office has made it clear that one of its main priorities is to crack down on guns in the city of Philadelphia.  There has been a surge in police arrests relating to firearms in recent years and many citizens who have attempted to remain on the right side of the law of been swept up in the crack down.

Important update from the PA Superior Court regarding the use of blood tests in DUI cases statewide.

Important update from the PA Superior Court regarding the use of blood tests in DUI cases statewide.

One of the most powerful pieces of evidence that police and law enforcement can use in a DUI case against you is a breathalyzer or blood draw.  In either case, if your blood alcohol content is above the legal limit, .08% in PA, you face criminal prosecution that could result in heavy fines, loss of your driver’s license and possibly jail time.

 

Scarpello & LaTour is located in Center City Philadelphia.  Our top 100 rated firm represents clients in courts in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.  Contact Scarpello & LaTour today for a free legal consultation.