Giribaldi & Manaras PC

CRIME LAB TECHNICIANS FAIL TEST.

edits — Fri, 18 May 2012 16:26:47 +0000

In DUI arrests, where the crime lab reports make up the bulk of the evidence against the accused, any mistake or miscalibration by the lab technician threatens many people with false DUI convictions. The problem is becoming rampant and widespread. Recently THREE TRACE-evidence technicians have flunked a routine test administered to uphold the Philadelphia Police Department crime lab’s accreditation. Technicians are entrusted with testing hundreds of pieces of evidence a year for traces of blood and semen. If investigators determine that the methods are problematic, it could throw countless court cases into question, authorities acknowledged. The lab has 12 trace examiners; they are tested by an outside agency twice a year, six at a time, to ensure their competency. Accordingly, 50% of the six most recently tested failed. These percentages are inexcusable. Until the three examiners are identified, all six have been removed from their trace-examination duties. The 12 technicians from the Philadelphia lab handle about 3,000 cases a year. These recent announcements comes about a year after police officials announced another embarrassing flub — miscalibrated Breathalyzer machines — that threw more than 1,100 drunken-driving cases into limbo. The goof prompted the District Attorney’s Office to review thousands of ongoing cases and even retry some.

Giribaldi & Manaras, P.C. is Looking for Delaware Valley Non-Profit Groups

edits — Tue, 01 May 2012 12:11:29 +0000

As mentioned in a recent press release, Giribaldi & Manaras, P.C., is looking for a local non-profit organization or charity to sponsor for 2012-13. Over the past three years, the firm has contributed funding as well as time to various organizations throughout the Delaware Valley. Specifically, Giribaldi & Manaras, P.C. has been active in helping the St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church, located in Upper Darby, Pennsylvania. Throughout 2011, we contributed to the Domestic Abuse Project by donating money and helping furnish the venue for their annual charitable event at the Edgmont Country Club, located in Newtown Square, Pennsylvania. Most recently, Giribaldi & Manaras, P.C. sponsored a Delaware County event for the American Cancer Society. If an organization is local to Chester County, PA, Delaware County, PA or Montgomery County, PA and is seeking sponsorship, please call 610-891-8303.

Relocation under the new Child Custody Act

edits — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 19:32:50 +0000

When the new Pennsylvania Child Custody Act passed last year, it left two opened questions for litigants to argue over: First: when does a move constitute a relocation? and Second: Can the moving parent challenge the move being considered a relocation? Relocation is defined as “a change of residence of the child which significantly impairs the ability of a non-relocating party to exercise custodial rights”. Because such as definition does not provide a standard of evaluation for impairment of custodial rights—It encourages many litigants to file a notice of relocation out of caution even if it is only a small move a few miles away. This led to another issue: Does the notice of relocation imply relocation within the meaning of the act or not? The Superior court in C.M.K found that a party cannot be punished for taking the safe route and filing the notice then later challenging in trial that the move is in fact a relocation. Thanks to C.M.K, the court now bases its determination of a move being a relocation and its potential to impair the custodial rights of the non-relocating parent, on a list of 10 determining factors. In looking at this issue the court will now take in consideration how much time the non-relocating parent can spend with his child and also whether the non-relocating parent can continue to be involved in co-parenting decisions, The court weights out the financial and emotional advantages and disadvantages of the move for the child’s sake and the sake of his or her relationship with the non-custodial parent.

CAR ACCIDENTS VICTIMS GET A CRASH COURSE ON THEIR RIGHTS

edits — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 15:12:31 +0000

In several of our recent car accident cases, our clients were contacted by their insurance companies and advised by those companies to contact “approved” auto body repair shops and medical professionals.

The insurance companies claimed that this system was simply designed to provide better customer service and was purely informational. Of course, as always, the insurance companies stated in certain terms that the receipt of this information “should not be considered confirmation of coverage”.

Our years of experience as car accident attorneys, and frankly common sense, dictates that insurance companies are out to serve their own best interest, not their customers. The formula insurance companies utilize could not be more simplistic, they collect your premiums, invest the money, and payout as little money in claims as possible.

Per this philosophy insurance companies will recommend the cheapest auto body repair shops and not the most qualified. In this way the prices are controlled by the insurance companies. Many times this will lead to inferior workmanship and re-utilized or substandard parts.

The situation worsens when insurance companies attempt to dictate where you should receive medical treatment for your injuries.

In the event that you require medial treatment going to the cheapest health care provider could actually put your health at risk making a bad situation of being involved in a car accident even worse. Insurance companies will send you to health care providers that are paid for by the insurance companies. This enables insurance companies to once again control price and in some circumstances the length of treatment an individual receives.

When selecting a doctor, physical therapist, or any other health care provider you should always select a medical professional or facility you’re comfortable with and that you trust.

The good news is that car insurance companies cannot control which medical professional you chose. They have to pay for the medical treatment you receive in accordance with your car insurance policy, meaning that your bills will be paid no matter where or from whom you receive medical treatment.

Insurance companies are out to serve their own best interest, not their customers. The insurance companies will attempt to pressure you into using their health care providers or auto body repair shops. Do not let them get away with it. Stand up for your rights.

Drug Crime in Pennsylvania

edits — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 14:35:05 +0000

Drug dealers are no longer the man at the corner selling you cocaine, marijuana, or heroin under the cover of night. Today’s drug dealer is the neighbor next door, the boyfriend, the girlfriend who sells you prescription pills during the day. Prescription drugs are a major problem in Delaware County, Pennsylvania. Painkillers such as Oxycodin and Vicodin are the most common of drugs being sold in Chester County, Delaware County and surrounding counties. People are trying to obtain large quantities of the drug. It can lead to several different types of prescription drug crimes including: a) forging prescriptions, b) using someone else prescriptions, c) distributing or possessing drugs unlawfully. Many people that are arrested for these crimes have never been in trouble before and do not understand that convictions from these arrests can have substantial jail times and fines.

Expungement Your DUI Record

edits — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 19:14:23 +0000

Any first offense for which you qualify for ARD, you are eligible for an expungement in the state of Pennsylvania. However, in Delaware County, you are required to file a petition for expungement. If you fail to do so, your DUI or any other crime may stay on your record. As such, schools and/or future employers will still be able to view any prior infractions on your record. Be sure to follow up on this after your completion of ARD.

See Our New Video on Slip and Fall

edits — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 13:30:33 +0000

Being involved in an accident is never a joy ride. Slip and fall cases in particular are often a drag for all parties. Injuries from slip and fall accidents are at the very least an inconvenience and can range all the way up to life threatening. Our job is to see to it that the victims of slip and fall accidents are compensated for their injuries by negligent parties involved. To check out our new video on slip and fall injuries, click HERE.

Criminal Defense Lawyers Serving West Chester, PA

edits — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 20:29:56 +0000

The dedicated team of attorneys of Giribaldi & Manaras, P.C. serve clients from all over the Delaware Valley. Though our firm is located in Media, PA, our lawyers routinely represent folks from West Chester, Philadelphia, Norristown and all over the Main Line. Recently, it was our pleasure to help a new client referred to us out of the West Chester, PA area of Chester County. The man was falsely accused of a host of crimes including assault and several other charges. Rightly, he hired the right law team who fairly represented his interests in this matter. Criminal defense can be a tricky matter often with many hurdles involved. It is critical that if you are involved in a criminal case or charged with a crime that you hire the right legal team to represent you and get you justice. For a free consultation, call 610-891-8303 today.

DUI Attorneys on the Main Line get results in Pennsylvania

edits — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 22:38:16 +0000

Be sure to know your rights when you are charged with a DUI. Being charged with a DUI can be a very difficult time for an individual personally and professionally. Not only can an arrest put stress on our families and loved ones, but it can also destroy the careers of those charged with driving under the influence. To learn more about how our law firm approaches DUI cases, Click HERE.

Pete Manaras, Delaware County PA Divorce Attorney

edits — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 19:47:13 +0000

Check out our latest Youtube Video: