Philadelphia, PA Criminal Law Library

Page last updated: April 18, 2022

The criminal law library of the Nenner Law Firm provides criminal law articles, FAQs, and news about drugs and narcotics charges and offenses in Philadelphia, PA.  The articles, FAQs and news are for information only and do not provide legal advice.

If you would like a free consultation by our criminal lawyers, please call (215) 564-0644.

Philadelphia Criminal Law Articles

• Drug Charges in Philadelphia PA State Court – Possession of a Controlled Substance (August 3, 2022)
  In most criminal drug cases in Philadelphia, there are two common charges or offenses: Possession of a Controlled Substance and Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Deliver. In addition to these drug charges, there are other drug related charges, such as: Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Manufacturing a Controlled Substance, and Creating a Counterfeit Controlled Substance. Possession of ...
• Drug Charges in Philadelphia PA State Court – What is “Possession” (July 20, 2022)
  Page last reviewed and updated: October 20, 2019 One of the most common types of criminal state (PA) cases in Philadelphia is possession of drugs. Possession of a Controlled Substance (PCS) and Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Deliver (PWID) often involve narcotics, heroin, cocaine, meth, etc. To be found guilty of these offenses, ...
• Pennsylvania Second Degree Murder (AKA: Felony Murder) Law (June 6, 2022)
  Philadelphia criminal lawyer David S. Nenner discusses the current status of second degree murder law in Pennsylvania. This is also known as the felony murder rule. Get info about PA court decisions and the agency theory. Not every case of death during the commission of a felony will result in a second degree murder conviction ...
• Philadelphia Murder Cases – Police Investigation Tactics (May 22, 2022)
  Questioning Police Officer Tactics in Philadelphia Murder Cases Within the last 10 years, there have been several murder Philadelphia criminal cases in which the accused individuals were acquitted of the crimes. In these cases, the individuals spent months, if not years in jail, waiting for justice. There is a saying, often attributed to William Penn, who ...
• Murder Charges in Pennsylvania – Murder Law in Pennsylvania (April 23, 2022)
  An explanation of Pennsylvania murder laws including Section 2502. What is murder in the first degree, murder in the second degree and murder in the third degree. Get a summary of the definitions under Pennsylvania criminal law.
• Sentencing for 1st Degree Murder in PA (January 19, 2022)
  In this article below we discuss sentencing for 1st degree murder cases in Pennsylvania. In later articles, we will discuss sentencing for 2nd and 3rd degree murder cases. If you or a loved one is facing murder charges in Philadelphia or the surrounding counties, please contact our law firm for a free consultation. Mr. Nenner ...
• Driving Equality bill passed in Philadelphia, limiting traffic stops for blacks and latinos (Nov. 2021) (November 16, 2021)
  Historically, Philadelphia residents of color are pulled over for minor traffic violations more often than white residents. In Philadelphia, police have used traffic stops as a pretext when they suspect illegal activity, even if there’s no basis for suspecting such activity. Blacks and Latinos who are pulled over in Philadelphia are often treated as criminals ...
• Philadelphia Criminal Trials – Evidence Pointing to Another Perpetrator in Drug Possession or Drug Manufacture Cases (September 27, 2021)
  In criminal trials in Philadelphia, one pretty common defense tactic is pointing the finger at another person at trial. This can raise enough doubt to result in a not guilty verdict by the judge or jury that the defendant was not the perpetrator of the crime. Here’s an example: Two residents of Philadelphia, Mr. A and ...
• Philadelphia Murder & Gun Possession Cases Increasing in 2021 – A Look at Common Charges & Defenses (August 25, 2021)
  A look at PA criminal law for Murder (1st, 2nd, 3rd Degree), Aggravated Assault, Robbery, Possession of a Firearm, Carrying a Firearm Without a License, Carrying a Firearm in Philadelphia (misdemeanor).
• Pennsylvania Murder Charges, Deceased Person’s Statements Used to Prove Guilt (July 27, 2021)
  Defense Trial Strategies – Excluding Statements That Accuse the Defendant Prosecutors often look to a deceased individual’s statements made prior to a murder to show that the defendant is guilty. These statements may point to a history of violence between the deceased and the defendant, such as “ bought a gun and pointed it at me,” ...
• Pennsylvania (State) Drug Charges, Dog Sniffs & Constitutional Law (October 15, 2020)
  Federal and Pennsylvania state courts treat narcotics dog searches differently. So different that the same scenario could result in different outcomes in federal versus state court. For example, a Philadelphia resident is pulled over for speeding. During the traffic stop, a narcotics officer arrives on the scene with a drug dog who sniffs the ...
• Dog Sniff Searches of Cars in Pennsylvania Traffic Stops (Federal Law) (October 6, 2020)
  Dog or canine searches of cars during traffic stops in PA often lead to drug possession/dealing charges and gun charges. For example, a police officer pulls over a driver for speeding. During the traffic stop, a canine search is performed revealing several bags of heroin. The individual is arrested and charged with federal charges, drug ...
• Federal Drug Dealing Crime Sentencing Law – Mandatory Minimum Sentences Reduced in Phila. Cases (September 17, 2020)
  On December 21, 2018, federal sentencing laws for drug cases were amended significantly. The First Step Act removed the mandatory life sentence for 3 time drug offenders in high quantity drug dealing cases and also reduced the mandatory minimum sentences for 2nd offenses. Also, the First Step Act also made the Fair Sentencing Act of ...
• Philadelphia Gun & Violent Crime Cases on the Rise (July 20, 2020)
  Shootings and gun cases in Philadelphia have risen sharply in 2020. Here’s a look at some of the most recent data provided by the Philadelphia Police Department: From July 12, 2019 to July 12, 2020, there’s been a 55% increase in the number of shootings. (1018 versus 1578 shootings) During the same period, there’s been a ...
• My son was arrested in Philadelphia, PA for drugs and guns after he was chased by police for no reason. He didn’t do anything wrong. Can he beat the charges? (May 22, 2020)
  My son was arrested in Philadelphia, PA for drugs and guns after he was chased by police for no reason. Can we beat the charges?

Philadelphia Criminal & Legal Resources

• Court of Common Pleas (Philadelphia) Criminal Trial Division

Philadelphia Criminal Justice Center
1301 Filbert Street,
Philadelphia, PA 19107
Court of Common Pleas (Philadelphia) Criminal Case Forms

• United States District Court, Eastern District of PA

James A. Byrne U.S. Courthouse
601 Market Street
Philadelphia, PA 19106

• Jenkins Law Library

833 Chestnut Street, Suite 1220
Philadelphia, PA 19107