Commonwealth v. Montalvo is a reminder that when a court misstates the reasonable-doubt standard, the verdict can’t stand. The Pennsylvania Supreme Court affirmed a new guilt-phase trial because the charge twice inverted the Commonwealth’s burden and trial counsel didn’t object.
The Pennsylvania Superior Court reversed an indecent assault conviction after finding prosecutors withheld key exculpatory evidence. Learn how this Brady violation led to a new trial in Commonwealth v. Reyes-Acosta and what it means for defendants seeking a fair trial.
Even after conviction, your rights matter. The Pennsylvania Superior Court reversed a firearms conviction in Commonwealth v. Martin because police illegally entered a hotel room, suppressing evidence and overturning the conviction.
The Pennsylvania Superior Court granted a new trial in Commonwealth v. Alceus after ruling the defense attorney failed to present critical character witnesses. In credibility-based cases, this kind of legal error can overturn a conviction.
The Pennsylvania Superior Court ordered a new trial in Commonwealth v. R.S. after ruling the defense attorney was ineffective for failing to present character witnesses in a credibility-based child sexual assault case.