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Questions Answered by Ryan L Hyde
1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law for Pennsylvania on
Q: Can you be charged with theft of a vehicle By a perso who doesn’t have a titile?
Ryan L Hyde
Ryan L Hyde
answered on Sep 18, 2020

Depends on what you mean by "doesnt have a title." Importantly, unless they are a police offixer they cant charge you with a crime, they can accuse you and the police can charge you. This is an important distinction because they are just witnesses in the case. Most people who are... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law for Pennsylvania on
Q: How do I go about pressing charges against someone for abuse of a corpse

Pictures taken and placed on facebook of my mom in casket

Ryan L Hyde
Ryan L Hyde
answered on Sep 18, 2020

Call the police. Outside of that you can petition the DA to charge the matter. You, as a non lae enforcement entity cannot "press" charges on someone. Call the police or oerhaps talk to a civil attorney about suing them.

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law for Pennsylvania on
Q: my nephew got arrested for throwing rocks at a abandoned buding..and someone called the cops.now the owner of that build

wants to press charges, what rights does my 16 year old have at this point t

Ryan L Hyde
Ryan L Hyde
answered on Sep 10, 2020

The right to remain silent, the right to an attorney, if he cant afford one one will be provided. As he is a juvenile they are often routed to the public defender's office. He has the right to a trial where he can assert potential defenses (abandoned property and possibly others) and all of... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law for Pennsylvania on
Q: What does it mean when I get a letter from adult probation that they closed interest in case with a civil judgement
Ryan L Hyde
Ryan L Hyde
answered on Sep 2, 2020

Means you still owe money. So in lieu of continuing to supervise you they referred your case to a collections agency. Can damage your credit and if you dont pay they can move to hold you in contempt but you wont have a PO looking over your shoulder.

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law and Domestic Violence for Pennsylvania on
Q: My ex and I have no trespassing and no contact orders against each other. Can we still do theatre at the same place?

Our order is Title 18 Pa. C.S.A. 2709. We both are actors at the same theatre. Can we still both attend and act at this theatre?

Ryan L Hyde
Ryan L Hyde
answered on Sep 1, 2020

I am not sure how. No contact, as a condition of bail or otherwise means that if either of you did the other could report you. If its a condition of bail it could lead to bail being revoked. If its an order of court one or both could be held in contempt.

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law for Pennsylvania on
Q: How can someone get caught and charged with vandalism
Ryan L Hyde
Ryan L Hyde
answered on Aug 19, 2020

Pretty easy actually, cameras are every where these days.

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law and Gov & Administrative Law for Pennsylvania on
Q: Can a judge give me more time for a probation revocation if I've already been sentenced and without new charges?

I just maxed a 3 to 6 year sentence a judge gave me. I was originally sentenced to 3 to 12 months in the county and 3 years probation. I had no new charges, yet the judge resentenced me and added more time on to my sentence making me have to do 6 years instead of 3. I had tech violations but it... View More

Ryan L Hyde
Ryan L Hyde
answered on Jul 15, 2020

From your location this is an Ohio question, which I am not qualified to answer. However, if this is a Pennsylvania question the answer is that if probation is revoked you can be resentenced to anything that was originally allowable. Its an important differentiation between probation and parole.... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law for Pennsylvania on
Q: My son was in a bad place and shopped lifted to support his kids, was it right no?

But he got caught pleaded guilty I was given a court date but then covid-19 happened. In the meantime they must have ran his picture through other videos and found him three more times in another Walmart. Warrants were served to my mother's house which she never received what's somebody... View More

Ryan L Hyde
Ryan L Hyde
answered on Jul 14, 2020

Regrettfully, there is no way to answer your question of whether or not he is going to jail. The reason most people recommend talking to a lawyer is because there are several factors that go into setting bail. The severity and number of charges is one. Prior history is another. Family support... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Civil Rights, Constitutional Law and DUI / DWI for Pennsylvania on
Q: Did the police legally search my car?

I was pulled over tonight and the officer said he wanted to administer a sobriety test based on the fact that my pupils appeared to be dilated. I informed him I was taking prescription medication yet he gave me the test anyway, told me I didn’t “really” pass and said that was probable cause... View More

Ryan L Hyde
Ryan L Hyde
answered on Jul 13, 2020

Here is the thing, prescription drugs can make you illegale to drive if you ate under the influence. Whether or not he had probable cause to believe you have controlled substances is certainly arguable. If you appeared impaired and admitted to taking medications one could certainly argue he had... View More

1 Answer | Asked in DUI / DWI for Pennsylvania on
Q: Daughter was passenger in a car, they were stopped at a DUI checkpoint, there was open container in car,when asked by

officer she said it was hers, they only thing her and driver had to do was provide license, the officer took container and dumped it, and they were allowed to leave... She just got citation in mail, never recieved anything onsite.. can she fight it

Ryan L Hyde
Ryan L Hyde
answered on Jul 13, 2020

Based on your description of the facts? Maybe. The fact that the officer did not issue the citation at the scene of the crime is not a defense. It is within their discretion to issue the citation up to 30 days after the date of the incident. If they didnt issue it within 30 days there is a... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Criminal Law for Pennsylvania on
Q: I need help with my boyfriend case

My little brother was there during it all he told the cops his side and my boyfriend got arrested because my brother told his if he touch me he would stab him so my boyfriend told him he would shot him they locked his guns up and left them i wasn't strangled i didn't need medical help his... View More

Ryan L Hyde
Ryan L Hyde
answered on Jul 13, 2020

These types of case do not lend themselves well to internet self help. Your best bet is to get him an attorney if he doesn't already have one. Depending on the county the Commonwealth is very aggressive with this particular charge and it sounds like he has a few defenses. Don't gather... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law for Pennsylvania on
Q: how can I file charges on a family member for attempted murder as well as all the people who where involved.

My father in law was amitted to the hospitial for pressure ulcers on the tailbone as well as malnutreion. The pressure ulcers deterated the skin all the way down to his tailbone and poisoned his blood. My father in law is a diabetic as well as a dialysis patent with an amputated left leg. When he... View More

Ryan L Hyde
Ryan L Hyde
answered on Jun 26, 2020

Attempted murder has very specific facts needed. However, there are very serious charges for elder abuse and neglect of an individual needing care. You should call the police department and have a detective do an investigation. In many of these cases the physical abuse is just the tip of the... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law for Pennsylvania on
Q: I was charged with possession of suboxone following a car accident. I didn't have my coat so the driver allowed me to .

Wear his. I was searched due to a warrant for fines and cost. I was charged with possession even though he said they were his and I didn't know they were in there. If I take a written or video statement from him to district court can I have the case thrown out

Ryan L Hyde
Ryan L Hyde
answered on Jun 13, 2020

Doubtful. A written statement from him is hearsay and now allowed. There are ways of arguing around the rule but depending on who your district judge is they may not allow it. Also, the burden of proof at the district court is lower, prima facie is more like probable cause than proof beyond a... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law for Pennsylvania on
Q: How do I get something expunged from my record
Ryan L Hyde
Ryan L Hyde
answered on Jun 4, 2020

Depends on what it is. If it is eligible you file a petition with the court. Most convictions are not eligible for expungement, but some are eligible for sealing. Talk to a local attorney, they can walk you through it.

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law for Pennsylvania on
Q: Dismiss criminal case After Conviction?

in Pennsylvania, can the defendant ask PA Superior Court to dismiss criminal case, even if the criminal case has gone to trial and even if the defendant is convicted in county court? if so, what grounds to dismiss case in appellate brief?

Ryan L Hyde
Ryan L Hyde
answered on May 31, 2020

There are a number of legal grounds for which you can ask the Superior Court to overturn your conviction. It's too hard to explain in this limited of a forum so its important that you contact Appellate counsel immediately. Superior Court appeals have very strict timing requirements (30... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Criminal Law and White Collar Crime for Pennsylvania on
Q: Is signature forgery always a crime no matter the circumstances surrounding it?

If a signature on a document is forged where there will be no financial gain, is that less serious than forging, say, a check? If a signature is forged on a birthday card, for example, without the person’s knowledge or permission, would this be punishable in court? It is, I would say, a little... View More

Ryan L Hyde
Ryan L Hyde
answered on May 11, 2020

Signing a persons name on something in and of itself is not forgery. As Mr. Dutko stated there is an additional element. You have to intend to defraud the other person. Now, you could read a lot of books about what defraud means (and prosecutors read these books too), but if there is no intent... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Criminal Law for Pennsylvania on
Q: Is a victim and a person of domestic violence aloud contact even if there's no court order or PFA stating you can't?

I have criminal charges against me for domestic violence and wondered if my gf the victim are aloud contact. There is no court order or PFA stating we can't have contact.

Ryan L Hyde
Ryan L Hyde
answered on May 9, 2020

Chances are if your bail was set there was a no contact provision put in place. If it wasnt then you can be in contact with her. Be cautious though. If another incident were to happen it could lead to much more serious charges.

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1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law for Pennsylvania on
Q: I am 15 years old. I’ve never been to court but I have to go very soon for fighting. I used self defense. What do I do ?

This girl wanted to fight me because I was dating her ex boyfriend that she had cheated on. She came to me and told me she wanted to fight. I told her it was stupid and that I didn’t want to. I followed her into the bathroom with the intention to talk. She hit me first and I hit her back using... View More

Ryan L Hyde
Ryan L Hyde
answered on May 7, 2020

Say what your attorney tells you to say. Self defense isnt as simple as she hit me first, therefore, I get to hit her. Its a justification defense that is easily rebuttable by a DA using some of the facts you have declared on the internet. Your best bet is not to speak to anyone but an... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Criminal Law, Civil Rights and Constitutional Law for Pennsylvania on
Q: How do I beat a case when the officer was in the wrong

I got arrested because I was supposedly being belligerent but they did no say I was being charge with anything until they decided to be aggressive with me while I was being held down by seven officers while intoxicated and having a panic attack. They tased me 2x, I bit and officer in the process... View More

Ryan L Hyde
Ryan L Hyde
answered on May 7, 2020

The thing that I struggle with on questions like this is there are a lot of missing facts. Please dont share them here, but those facts are important to determining whether or not you have an actual defense or a potential wrongful use of force case. I am assuming you are charged with aggravated... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law for Pennsylvania on
Q: Can you be charged with attempted homicide for hit and run? No injured party?
Ryan L Hyde
Ryan L Hyde
answered on Apr 22, 2020

In Pennsylvania you can be charged for Attempted Homicide if you intended to cause death or serious bodily injury and took a substantial step towards doing so. They are notoriously hard cases to prove. The hit and run aspect of it makes me wonder about the particular aspects of your case and what... View More

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