In a post last week, this blog discussed the special statutory meaning of "close proximity" in Pennsylvania's sentencing laws that requires a mandatory five year sentence for anyone convicted of selling drugs when, at the time of the offense, drugs and firearms were...

In 2004, Pennsylvaniadded a sentencing provision that increases penalties when drugs and weapons are used together. Generally, this provision was aimed at criminals who involved guns in their illegal sale of drugs. It requires a mandatory sentence of five years...

On November 27, 2010, Govenor Rendell vetoed a bill that significantly altered self-defense law in Pennsylvania.  The bill, which easily passed both the Pennsylvania House and Senate, expanded the “castle doctrine” which permits citizens use deadly...