Posts Tagged ‘litigation’

In Pennsylvania, the Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition program (ARD) functions as a vital alternative to traditional criminal prosecution for eligible, non-violent offenders. ARD is designed to address a critical, yet often overlooked, goal of our criminal justice system – the rehabilitation and reintegration of criminal offenders back into society. It offers a second chance and reduces the deleterious consequences that a criminal conviction would otherwise have on an individual’s life. This article explores the important advantages ARD offers eligible defendants who are charged with a crime. What is ARD? ARD is a pre-trial diversionary program provided by the Pennsylvania Rules of… read more »

Pickleball, a hybrid sport combining elements of table tennis, badminton, and tennis, was invented in 1965 in a backyard in Washington State. By 2024, over 40 million Americans were actively participating at over 14,000 venues with courts. Since 2021, it has been uniformly considered the fastest-growing sport in America by the sports and fitness industries. It seems as if the advent of the COVID virus in 2020 served as a catalyst for the sport’s popularity and growth, which presently appears to have no end in sight. With such a meteoric rise in participation, it is no surprise that some unanticipated… read more »

After you purchase a property at tax sale, you may find that there are people still living in the property.  An ejectment action will need to be filed in order to remove any occupants because the Tax Assessment Office will not remove them for the purchaser. The Pennsylvania Supreme Court confirmed in 2019 that a purchaser of property at tax sale cannot proceed with an eviction under the Landlord Tenant Act.  This is because there is no landlord tenant relationship between the purchaser of property at tax sale and the occupants of such property, which may be the previous owners. … read more »

You are a Pennsylvania property owner and you have just received a notice that your property was sold at an upset tax sale… now what? You are now faced with the reality that you will be stripped of your interest in perhaps the most valuable asset you own – your real property – which was sold to the highest bidder at upset tax sale, likely for a price beneath its fair market value. While these circumstances are no doubt upsetting (upset tax sales are aptly-named) and hard to understand, Attorney John R. Wilson of CGA Law Firm has substantial experience… read more »

            Co-ownership of real estate can be a beneficial arrangement, allowing individuals to increase purchasing power through pooling of resources, sharing the responsibility of property maintenance, and reducing transaction costs. However, co-ownership of property can sometimes lead to conflict and disagreements among the co-owners. Whether it’s siblings who inherit and want to subdivide “the back 40” of a family estate, unmarried couples who break up after buying a house together, or ex-spouses whose property was never disposed of during a divorce proceeding, these disagreements must be addressed in an orderly manner. In Pennsylvania, the primary mechanism for resolving such disputes… read more »

CGA Law Firm is pleased to welcome litigator Derek T. Maninfior to our Litigation Practice Group as an associate of the Firm. Maninfior has experience representing clients in civil and criminal cases throughout central Pennsylvania. His expertise includes trial and appellate advocacy, making him a valuable addition to our team. “I am thrilled to join such a talented team of legal professionals,” said Maninfior. “The breadth of knowledge and experience at CGA is inspiring, and I’m excited to hone my skills as an advocate to provide exemplary legal representation to the York and surrounding communities.” Maninfior has a diverse background,… read more »

On July 1, 2009, the Pennsylvania Home Improvement Consumer Protection Act (HICPA) went into effect. HICPA applies to all persons owning or operating a home improvement business doing $5,000 or more each taxable year, including those who are subcontractors. The Act requires that each home improvement contractor or subcontractor register with the Bureau of Consumer Protection in the Office of the Attorney General. This involves providing various pieces of information in order to obtain a registration number which must be clearly included on all contracts, advertisements, estimates, and proposals. Home improvement contractors are required to list a physical address and… read more »

CGA Law Firm is pleased to announce the election of Stephen R. McDonald, Esq. to shareholder. Stephen has been practicing law for over 25 years and has acquired extensive experience in multiple areas. He is a seasoned attorney in both civil litigation and criminal defense. Well versed in municipal law, Stephen serves as the solicitor for multiple municipalities in South Central Pennsylvania, and the York County Clerk of Court’s Office. He often represents clients in front of zoning hearing boards and other municipal and local government entities.  Prior to joining CGA, Stephen worked at the Office of the District Attorney for… read more »

Finding out that you have been sued can be concerning and unnerving. Whether you’re an individual or part of a company, court papers can be confusing and leave you wondering what to do next. This article addresses some basic information relating to litigation to help you know when to contact our office and what to do at the beginning of litigation. If you have just been served, then you have some time to react but deadlines have already begun. Take a breath and read the papers that you’ve received to find out what the lawsuit is about. It could involve… read more »

When was the last time you updated your lease?  You may be missing important protections or unknowingly violating the Landlord Tenant Act, Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Act, or even the Plain Language Consumer Contract Law. Violating those laws can result in lawsuits brought by tenants, the Pennsylvania Attorney General, or could even invalidate a lease completely. Evictions and other litigation can be irritating, time consuming, and expensive.  An updated lease can help to make the process faster, cheaper, and easier.  It can also provide some important protections to you as the landlord. Contact Attorney Hunter Schenck at hschenck@cgalaw.com… read more »