As a member benefit, the ACBA gathers information regarding court rule amendments and important court opinions, then publishes this information and relevant links on this web page, under the appropriate court heading. When new information is added, the ACBA will share this news on Twitter and Facebook. Also look for summaries every Tuesday in the Pittsburgh Legal Journal. ACBA Court Capsules are presented by bit-x-bit.
For past tweets, please follow the corresponding link below.
Current | 2017 | 2016 | 2015
US Supreme Court
US Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
Pennsylvania Supreme Court
July 19, 2017 | Contested evidence, tainted by the initial illegality, must be suppressed, even absent a demonstrable expectation of privacy in the locations where the evidence was found. Read the opinion here and the concurring opinion here.
July 19, 2017 | There is a proposed amendment to Pa.R.Crim.P. 462 (Trial De Novo) and a proposed revision of the Comment to Rule 460 (Notice of Appeal). More information can be found here.
July 26, 2017 | Veterans’ preference not bestowed to someone who was a cadet at a military academy, but never obligated himself to perform, or otherwise undertook, any subsequent military service. Read the opinionhere.
July 26, 2017 | There is a proposed amendment to Pa.R.Crim.P. 602) (Presence of the Defendant) and a proposed revision of the Comment to Rule 150 (Bench Warrants). More informationhere.
July 27, 2017 | There are proposed amendments to Pa.R.J.C.P. 160, 1160, 1409, 1515, and 1631 governing custody matters. Read the notice here , the report here and the new rule here.
Pennsylvania Superior Court
Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court
July 5, 2017 | Zoning Board erred in concluding the objectors met their burden of showing the proposed duplexes were incompatible with the surrounding area. Read the opinion here.
July 7, 2017 | Under the Municipalities Planning Code (MPC), the filing of a mandatory sketch plan creates a vested right for consideration of the plan as well as any future zoning applications related thereto under the ordinance in effect when the sketch plan was filed. Read the opinion here here.
Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas
July 3, 2017 | The July 7 PLJ Opinions is now available. The issue contains opinions on criminal appeals, real estate tax collection, and workers compensation. View it here.