Pennsylvania Case Commentaries

Capricious Disregard of Competent Evidence in Workers' Compensation: Da v. Russell

Date: Dec 3, 1988

Capricious Disregard of Competent Evidence in Workers' Compensation: Da v. Russell Introduction Da v. Russell, Petitioner (121 Pa. Commw. 436) is a landmark decision rendered by the Commonwealth...

Withdrawal of Counsel in Post Conviction Hearing Act Proceedings: Insights from COMMONWEALTH of PENNSYLVANIA v. FINLEY

Date: Nov 1, 1988

Withdrawal of Counsel in Post Conviction Hearing Act Proceedings: Insights from COMMONWEALTH of PENNSYLVANIA v. FINLEY Introduction The case COMMONWEALTH of Pennsylvania v. Dorothy Finley (379 Pa....

Constitutional Mandates for Judicial Elections: SPRAGUE v. CASEY (1988)

Date: Oct 26, 1988

Constitutional Mandates for Judicial Elections: SPRAGUE v. CASEY (1988) Introduction The case of Richard A. Sprague v. Robert P. Casey is a landmark decision by the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania,...

Commonwealth v. Blystone: Affirmation of Consent-Based Surveillance and Capital Sentencing

Date: Oct 18, 1988

Commonwealth v. Blystone: Affirmation of Consent-Based Surveillance and Capital Sentencing Introduction Commonwealth of Pennsylvania v. Scott Wayne Blystone is a landmark decision rendered by the...

Establishing Finality in Criminal Sentences: Commonwealth of Pennsylvania v. Bobby Joe Lawson

Date: Oct 18, 1988

Establishing Finality in Criminal Sentences: Commonwealth of Pennsylvania v. Bobby Joe Lawson Introduction Commonwealth of Pennsylvania v. Bobby Joe Lawson is a landmark decision by the Supreme Court...

Balancing Peremptory Challenges and Capital Sentencing: Insights from Commonwealth v. Hardcastle

Date: Aug 11, 1988

Balancing Peremptory Challenges and Capital Sentencing: Insights from Commonwealth v. Hardcastle Introduction Commonwealth of Pennsylvania v. Donald Hardcastle is a pivotal case decided by the...

Probable Cause Affirmed via Counsel's Advice in Malicious Prosecution: Kelley v. Teamsters

Date: Jul 29, 1988

Establishing Probable Cause Through Counsel's Advice in Malicious Prosecution: Kelley v. Teamsters Introduction The case of Nancy Kelley v. General Teamsters, Chauffeurs, and Helpers, Local Union 249...

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania v. Devers: Clarifying Sentencing Disclosure Requirements

Date: Jul 28, 1988

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania v. Devers: Clarifying Sentencing Disclosure Requirements Introduction Commonwealth of Pennsylvania v. Joseph Francis Devers is a pivotal case adjudicated by the Supreme...

Strict Liability Limited: Pennsylvania Supreme Court's Decision on Liquor License Liability

Date: Jul 28, 1988

Strict Liability Limited: Pennsylvania Supreme Court's Decision on Liquor License Liability Introduction Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board v. TLK, Inc., t/a Peter P's, 518 Pa. 500 (1988), presents a...

Spang v. United States Steel: Establishing New Precedent on Damages in Breach of Contract Cases

Date: Jul 13, 1988

Spang v. United States Steel: Establishing New Precedent on Damages in Breach of Contract Cases Introduction The case of Spang Company v. United States Steel Corporation (519 Pa. 14) addressed...

Valuation Date for Marital Assets and Standard of Proof in Equitable Distribution: SUTLIFF v. SUTLIFF

Date: Jun 2, 1988

Valuation Date for Marital Assets and Standard of Proof in Equitable Distribution: SUTLIFF v. SUTLIFF Introduction SUTLIFF v. SUTLIFF is a landmark decision by the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania,...

Operation of Motor Vehicles Under Political Subdivision Tort Claims Act: Insights from Catherine Love v. City of Philadelphia

Date: Jun 2, 1988

Operation of Motor Vehicles Under Political Subdivision Tort Claims Act: Insights from Catherine Love v. City of Philadelphia Introduction Catherine Love v. City of Philadelphia (518 Pa. 370, 1988)...

Reversing Conviction Due to Ineffective Assistance of Counsel: Commonwealth of Pennsylvania v. Davis

Date: May 21, 1988

Reversing Conviction Due to Ineffective Assistance of Counsel: Commonwealth of Pennsylvania v. Davis Introduction The case of Commonwealth of Pennsylvania v. Kenneth Richard Davis serves as a pivotal...

Application of Collateral Estoppel in Subsequent Murder Prosecutions: Commonwealth v. Smith

Date: Mar 30, 1988

Application of Collateral Estoppel in Subsequent Murder Prosecutions: Commonwealth v. Smith Introduction Commonwealth of Pennsylvania v. James Melvin Smith is a landmark decision rendered by the...

Prohibiting Unlawful Police Roadblocks for DUI Enforcement under Pennsylvania Law: Commonwealth v. Tarbert and Commonwealth v. Dannaker

Date: Dec 30, 1987

Prohibiting Unlawful Police Roadblocks for DUI Enforcement under Pennsylvania Law: Commonwealth v. Tarbert and Commonwealth v. Dannaker Introduction The Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, in the landmark...

Mary Jane McGEE v. FEEGE: Redefining the Elements of Abuse of Process in Pennsylvania

Date: Dec 29, 1987

Mary Jane McGEE v. FEEGE: Redefining the Elements of Abuse of Process in Pennsylvania Introduction The case of Mary Jane McGee v. Edward H. Feege et al., decided by the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania...

Duty to Defend in Insurance Policies: Erie Insurance Exchange v. Transamerica Insurance Company

Date: Dec 3, 1987

Duty to Defend in Insurance Policies: Erie Insurance Exchange v. Transamerica Insurance Company Introduction The case Erie Insurance Exchange, Appellant, v. Transamerica Insurance Company, Appellee....

Actual Job Availability Standard for Benefit Modification: Kachinski v. Workmen's Compensation Appeal Board

Date: Oct 16, 1987

Actual Job Availability Standard for Benefit Modification: Kachinski v. Workmen's Compensation Appeal Board Introduction The case Joseph Kachinski v. Workmen's Compensation Appeal Board (Vepco...

Defamation and Employment Contract Obligations in Academic Settings: Analysis of Mel v. Baker

Date: Oct 16, 1987

Defamation and Employment Contract Obligations in Academic Settings: Analysis of Mel v. Baker Introduction Melvin Baker, an Assistant Professor in the Art Department at Lafayette College, initiated...

Molineux v. Reed et al.: Clarifying Statute of Limitations in Wrongful Death Actions

Date: Oct 16, 1987

Molineux v. Reed et al.: Clarifying the Statute of Limitations in Wrongful Death Actions Introduction The landmark case Molineux v. Reed et al. (516 Pa. 398), adjudicated by the Supreme Court of...