Pennsylvania Supreme Court

The Pennsylvania Game Commission is ending its Deputy Game Warden program on September 1, affecting approximately 140 wardens across the state. These part-time or volunteer workers assist with law enforcement patrols and wildlife control. The decision stems from a goal of establishing a full-time professional workforce and follows a ruling by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court regarding warrantless searches in "open fields."

District attorneys expressed concern over potential 'chaos' resulting from the state legislature’s failure to create a sentencing structure for felony murder following an unconstitutional Supreme Court ruling regarding mandatory life sentences. Larry Krasner pointed to successful individualized resentencing efforts for juveniles as a template, citing Robert Saleem Holbrook as an example of community reintegration. The General Assembly was given 120 days to draft a solution but failed to achieve consensus.

Terri Harper and over 1,000 Pennsylvania inmates convicted of second degree murder face unresolved sentencing issues after the legislature failed to adopt new guidelines by a court deadline. The Pennsylvania Supreme Court must now decide if its March ruling against mandatory life sentences applies retroactively, while partisan disagreements between the Senate and House left conflicting proposals in place.

The Pennsylvania Supreme Court denied a 120-day stay of a ruling that declared mandatory life sentences for second-degree murder unconstitutional. The decision, stemming from Derek Lee's case where he was sentenced to life without parole after an accomplice shot a victim during an armed robbery, affects approximately 1,100 inmates serving similar sentences. The legislature failed to agree on new sentencing guidelines, and the court's decision allows affected individuals to challenge their sentences.

The Pennsylvania General Assembly missed a Supreme Court deadline to revise sentencing guidelines for second degree murder, leaving 1,100 individuals in unconstitutional life without parole sentences. State Representative Andre D. Carroll discussed stalled negotiations and potential next steps for legislation.

The Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruled mandatory life sentences for second-degree murder unconstitutional, prompting a potential large-scale resentencing effort as lawmakers miss a deadline to address the issue. Convicted individuals will not be immediately released, but the legal process could leave them in limbo.

Allegheny County District Attorney Stephen Zappala petitioned the Pennsylvania Supreme Court for a 120-day extension to address legislative changes to second-degree murder sentencing after a March ruling deemed mandatory life sentences unconstitutional. The House passed a partisan bill allowing parole after 30 years for such cases, but Senate GOP leaders opposed it, and the court deadline approaches.

Phillip Ocampo, incarcerated in Pennsylvania since 1994 for felony murder, may see sentencing reforms after the state Supreme Court ruled mandatory life without parole for felony murder violates the state constitution. The ruling leaves retroactive justice to the legislature, which has stalled on a Senate bill proposing 35-year minimum sentences for future felony murder cases.

Supporters of Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner rallied in West Philadelphia to defend him amid a Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruling and accusations of mishandling post-conviction cases. The court's 4-3 decision imposed new oversight on Krasner's office, requiring future cases to be reviewed by the state Attorney General’s Office.

Pennsylvania Medicaid now covers abortion procedures as of July 16, following a court decision overturning the state's prior ban except for cases of rape, incest, or maternal endangerment. Pro-life groups and the state Attorney General are appealing the decision to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, arguing against using taxpayer funds for abortions.

The Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruled that warrantless searches by state game officials on private land are unconstitutional under the state constitution, favoring two western Pennsylvania hunting clubs. The decision overturned a 2007 state ruling and emphasized stronger privacy protections compared to federal standards.

Pittsburgh City Council approved a $1,000 annual tax per skill game machine after Pennsylvania's Supreme Court ruled in June 2026 that these devices are gambling devices. The state legislature is also considering taxation schemes, while debates continue over regulating skill games that combine monetary stakes with skill-based elements.

A Commonwealth Court judge ruled Pennsylvanians can temporarily use Medicaid to cover abortions, overturning a 40-year ban. The decision follows a 4-3 ruling in April that found the ban violated the state constitution’s Equal Rights Amendment. The Republican state Attorney General has appealed to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, but a judge allowed the lower court’s decision to stand pending review.

Pennsylvania lawmakers advanced a $50.8 billion spending plan after a week-and-a-half delay, including funding for public education, energy policies, and teacher pensions. The bipartisan budget excludes tax code changes and recreational marijuana, with the governor's proposed funding sources now requiring legislative action due to a court ruling.

Twenty-three women in Pennsylvania, including Beth Markman and Louisa Reyes, are awaiting legislative action on their second-degree murder convictions after a state supreme court ruling declared mandatory life sentences unconstitutional. Two competing bills propose different sentencing frameworks, but uncertainty persists as the legislature must decide by July 24.

The Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruled skill games unlawful, creating uncertainty for businesses and potentially affecting traditional arcade games at venues like Chuck E. Cheese and Dave & Busters. The decision challenges whether games like Skee-Ball and claw machines qualify as gambling devices, with lawmakers urged to regulate and tax these games to resolve legal ambiguity.

The Pennsylvania Senate passed a bill creating new sentencing guidelines for second degree murder cases, requiring a minimum 35-year sentence in most cases and allowing life sentences if judges deem them warranted. Over 1,100 individuals currently serving life sentences without parole for second degree murder may be eligible for resentencing under the law.

District Attorney Larry Krasner is serving as both Philadelphia's prosecutor and effectively its top public defender, according to a Pennsylvania Supreme Court opinion that criticizes his leadership as dishonest.

A divided Pennsylvania Supreme Court, including two Democratic justices, mandated new oversight for Philadelphia DA Larry Krasner’s office after finding its post-conviction handling of a murder case unreliable. The 4-3 ruling requires judges to notify the state attorney general before granting relief in cases where Krasner’s office concedes a conviction should be overturned. The court cited over 100 prior concessions and more than 1,000 pending reviews by Krasner’s Conviction Integrity Unit.

A divided Pennsylvania Supreme Court, including two Democrat justices, mandated new oversight for Philadelphia DA Larry Krasner’s office due to unreliable post-conviction concessions in a murder case. The 4-3 decision requires judges to notify the state Attorney General before granting relief in cases where Krasner’s office concedes convictions, citing evidence of withheld information and misstated facts in multiple cases.

A federal appeals court ruled in favor of the Trump administration's attempt to replace a slavery exhibit at the President’s House Site in Philadelphia. The city had sued to recover the removed panels, securing an injunction in February. Juneteenth weekend events in Philadelphia include parades and festivals, while a Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruling adds state oversight to Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner.

The Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruled that Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner's office misled courts in criminal conviction reviews, requiring future cases under the Post Conviction Relief Act to undergo state Attorney General oversight. The 4-3 decision cited recurring issues with Krasner's office, including misrepresentations and inadequate investigations, and reversed a new trial granted to Lavar Brown, a convicted murderer.

The Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruled skill games illegal under state gambling laws, citing concerns over violence and crime linked to the machines. The decision, stayed for 120 days, overturns previous rulings that exempted the games due to their skill-based elements, with lawmakers expected to address legalization and regulation.

Pennsylvania lawmakers are pushing to regulate and tax skill games following the state Supreme Court's ruling declaring the devices illegal. The decision, which came ahead of the June 30 budget deadline, has intensified efforts to address the proliferation of skill games in stores, with bipartisan hopes for legislative action. Governor Josh Shapiro and House Democrats have emphasized the need for a resolution.

The Pennsylvania Supreme Court has taken action against 'skill' games, implementing stricter regulations or enforcement measures. The article directs readers to a ruling for more details.

Pennsylvania's Supreme Court ruled skill games are unlawful under the state's Gaming Act and Crimes Code, overturning prior lower court decisions that allowed their proliferation. The 4-2 majority opinion criticized the games' widespread presence in various establishments, while Pace-O-Matic, the company producing the games, expressed disappointment. The state Attorney General hailed the decision as a victory for legal oversight and consumer protection.

The Pennsylvania Supreme Court upheld the arrest of Jamar Foster in Pittsburgh based on ShotSpotter gunfire detection system alerts, despite civil rights concerns about the technology's reliability. The 5-2 decision found reasonable suspicion for the arrest under the 'totality of the circumstances,' including late-night alerts, rapid police response, and Foster's evasive behavior. Two justices criticized the ruling for failing to address the system's reliability and the relevance of proximity to a high-crime area.

Senator John Fetterman warns Democrats about rising antisemitism after clashes outside NYC synagogues and a Pennsylvania Supreme Court justice leaves the party. The incidents involved mobs and pro-Palestinian protests with antisemitic symbols. Fetterman calls for his party to confront the issue.

Senator John Fetterman warns Democrats of a rising antisemitism problem after clashes outside NYC synagogues and a Pennsylvania Supreme Court justice leaves the party. The incidents involve mobs clashing with police and pro-Palestinian protests. Fetterman calls for the party to confront the issue.