The July Batch (so far) from the Superior Court

The Superior Court has issued seven precedential opinions this month.  Straying from my usual summaries, I intend only to provide the holdings and other pertinent points and, of course, my commentary…


Supreme Decisions: Two Conviction Reversals, Pinkerton Liability at Risk in PA, Rule 600, and more

Supreme Court In the Interest of J.B., __ A.3d __ (Pa., July 18, 2018) This is one of two cases in which the Supreme Court overturned a criminal conviction—well, here, really a juvenile…


Withdrawal of Guilty Pleas, Double Jeopardy, and DUI Sentencing

Comm. v. Davis, 2018 PA Super 180 (June 22, 2018) Out of Lehigh County. This case is about an attempt to withdraw a guilty plea made under a plea agreement for a sentence not to exceed 38 months…


Confidential Informants, Prosecutorial Misconduct, and Traffic Stops (some aided by the "Find My iPhone" App)

Comm. v. Koonce, 2018 PA Super 169 (June 15, 2018) Out of Montgomery County.  Koonce was convicted following a stipulated non-jury trial of possession with intent to deliver.  Pre-trial he filed a…