by tforrence | Apr 1, 2013 | Uncategorized
Prospective clients often ask me about the statistical possibility of being heard by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court. I typically tell them that the likelihood of being heard is remote. In 2011, the court received 2,363 petitions and granted only 101. That figure is...
by tforrence | Mar 26, 2013 | Uncategorized
Although the Superior Court affirms over 80% of the time, the statistics show an increased percentage of reversals in cases argued before the assigned panel. For each of the calendar years 2007 – 2011, roughly 10% of the cases submitted on briefs resulted in...
by tforrence | Mar 25, 2013 | Uncategorized
Question: In a direct criminal appeal, can a defendant raise the issue that his trial counsel did not provide effective assistance of counsel? Answer: For now at least, the answer is generally “No.” In Commonwealth v. Grant, 813 A.2d 726 (Pa. 2002), the Supreme Court...
by tforrence | Jan 30, 2013 | Uncategorized
Years ago I had the opportunity to watch oral argument in a contract case in the Court of Appeals in London. The argument went on all morning. Then the judges broke for lunch and announced their intent to return for the afternoon session . . . in the same case. The...
by tforrence | Jan 15, 2013 | Uncategorized
“One picture is worth ten thousand words.” This familiar maxim was coined (according to the Oxford Dictionary of Quotations) by Frederick R. Barnard, in the publication “Printers Ink” on March 10, 1927. It is not a Chinese proverb. It is, however,...
by tforrence | Jan 3, 2013 | Uncategorized
Why use sparingly? Many Readers dislike visual impact—requires shift to shorter line length Surveys show judges and staff attorneys tend to skip over quotes more than six or seven lines in length Judges view them as evidence of laziness When to Use? When the quotation...
Recent Comments