On Monday, September 24, 2019, the state Senate Appropriations Committee unanimously approved State Sen. Lisa Boscola ’s bill know as Christine’s Law. The bill is named after Christine Lambert, a motorist killed in 2005 when a 10-inch chunk of ice dislodged from a trash truck and struck the vehicle she was driving causing her death. … Continue reading Law requiring the removal of ice and snow from car to be voted on by Pennsylvania Senate and House.
Author: Jorge Pereira, Esq.
I was born in Portugal and raised in Bethlehem after immigrating with his family to the Lehigh Valley at the age of 2.
I attended Rutgers University, New Brunswick graduating with B.A. in Political Science and a minor in Psychology. After graduating with honors from Rutgers University, I attended Rutgers-Newark Law School. While at Rutgers-Newark Law School, I was part of Appellate Moot Court, Urban Legal Clinic and the Animal Rights Clinic.
Upon graduating Rutgers-Newark Law School Law, I initially practiced at a small boutique law firm in Newark, New Jersey but always maintained a desire to return to his home in the Lehigh Valley. I spent the last eighteen years working in civil litigation and personal injury law firms in the Lehigh Valley. For the last sixteen years, I has worked at an Allentown law firm, The Law of Business, P.C. f/k/a Douglas M. Marinos & Associates, P.C. focusing on business divorce, corporate law, creditor’s rights and general civil litigation.
I am a member of the Pennsylvania and New Jersey bars and admitted to practice in the United States District Court of Pennsylvania for the Eastern District and the United States District Court of New Jersey. I have litigated cases throughout the Courts of Common Pleas of Eastern Pennsylvania from Susquehanna County to Philadelphia County and represented both debtors and creditors in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern and Middle District of Pennsylvania. As counsel for Sovereign Bank, I wrote the appellate brief in the precedent setting decision in the matter of Sovereign Bank v. Schwab, 414 F.3d 450 (3rd Cir. 2005).
I am an avid cigar smoker and a founding member, board member and former officer of the Lehigh Valley Cigar Club, a non-profit social club with over 200 members dedicated to protecting and promoting the enjoyment of cigar smoking in the Lehigh Valley.I played Rugby for ten years on the men’s team of the Lehigh Valley Rugby Football Club, becoming a captain of the men’s team, and President of the club. I own a commercial building in the historical district of Main Street, Bethlehem where my business partner and I own a hair salon, Hair Studio Main.
Governor calls for expedited pardon process for Pennsylvanians with small amount, non-violent marijuana convictions.
On Wednesday, September 25, 2019, Governor Tom Wolf and Lt Governor John Fetterman held a news conference to announce that it is time for Pennsylvania to legalize adult recreational use of marijuana. Previously, Governor Wolf had stated that he wanted to study the effects of legalization on the 11 states that had already legalized adult … Continue reading Governor calls for expedited pardon process for Pennsylvanians with small amount, non-violent marijuana convictions.
Lehigh County Judge Rules Police Search Prompted By Weed Odor Illegal After Man Presents Medical Marijuana Card
Lehigh County Court of Common Please Judge Maria L. Dantos ruled that a warrantless police search prompted by the smell of marijuana was illegal once the passenger showed his medical marijuana card. On August 2, 2019, Judge Dantos issued an opinion stating that Pennsylvania State Troopers overstepped the law when they searched a vehicle that … Continue reading Lehigh County Judge Rules Police Search Prompted By Weed Odor Illegal After Man Presents Medical Marijuana Card
Supreme Court holds that probable cause can defeat a First Amendment retaliatory-arrest claim under 42 U.S.C. § 1983.
On May 29, 2019, the U.S. Supreme Court decided the matter of Nieves v. Bartlett, Docket no. 19-1174. The central question was whether probable cause defeats a First Amendment retaliatory-arrest claim under 42 U.S.C. § 1983. In a 6-3 decision, the Court held that because police officers had probable cause to arrest Russell Bartlett, his … Continue reading Supreme Court holds that probable cause can defeat a First Amendment retaliatory-arrest claim under 42 U.S.C. § 1983.
Pennsylvania makes habitual DUI violations a felony.
On October 24, 2018, Act 153 of 2018 was signed into law by Governor Tom Wolf increasing penalties for habitual offenders of Pennsylvania’s DUI Laws. The new law went into effect just before the Holiday Season, on December 23, 2018. Multiple convictions for driving under the influence in Pennsylvania is now a felony under the … Continue reading Pennsylvania makes habitual DUI violations a felony.
Marijuana wins the midterms!
With the resignation/firing of former Attorney General Jeff Sessions as well as the legalization of marijuana in three states, the clear cut winner of the 2018 midterm elections is the marijuana industry. As everyone is aware by now former AG Jeff Sessions resigned at the President’s request on November 7, 2018. While it is not … Continue reading Marijuana wins the midterms!
Some lesser know violations of the Pennsylvania Motor Vehicle Code.
In keeping with some of my previous blogs concerning lesser-known violations of the Pennsylvania Motor Vehicle Code, here are several more violations most people are not aware of. Pennsylvania's "Unattended Motor Vehicle" law limits where a vehicle can be left running and unattended. Under § 3701, no person driving or in charge of a motor … Continue reading Some lesser know violations of the Pennsylvania Motor Vehicle Code.
What exactly is a “debt collector” under the FDCPA.
It is quite common for a debtor to receive a call from a 3rd party he or she does not recognize concerning a delinquent debt. Often, the calls are at inconvenient times and are quite confusing since the debtor does not recall ever borrowing money from or having a credit account with the 3rd party. … Continue reading What exactly is a “debt collector” under the FDCPA.
HOW DOES ACCEPTANCE INTO THE ARD PROGRAM AFFECT POTENTIAL 1983 CIVIL RIGHTS CLAIMS
When an individual has been arrested and in the process his civil rights have been violated, he has the dilemma of navigating pending criminal charges and preserving any potential civil rights claim under 42 U.S.C. § 1983. In Heck v. Humphrey, 512 U.S. 477, 478, 114 S.Ct. 2364, 129 L.Ed.2d 383 (1994), the Supreme Court … Continue reading HOW DOES ACCEPTANCE INTO THE ARD PROGRAM AFFECT POTENTIAL 1983 CIVIL RIGHTS CLAIMS
More Pennsylvania Cities Decriminalize Marijuana Despite State Law.
With the noted exception of the current Attorney General, there is a growing acceptance of legalize use of marijuana in the United States. Thirty of the fifty states have legalized marijuana for either medical and/or recreational use. As the laws with regards to marijuana use continue to change state by state, the states which have … Continue reading More Pennsylvania Cities Decriminalize Marijuana Despite State Law.
Prince Law Offices Blog 