Welcome to the DiDonato & Burke Law Firm’s Resources page. As experienced attorneys in criminal defense and civil rights, we believe in empowering our clients with knowledge.
Here, you’ll find articles containing a wealth of information on various legal topics, from understanding your rights during an arrest to navigating complex real estate transactions. While these resources provide valuable insights, they are not a substitute for personalized legal advice.
Our team, led by criminal defense attorney Thomas F. Burke who is always available to personally discuss your specific case and provide the expert guidance you need. We hope these resources help you better understand the legal landscape and underscore our commitment to serving as your dedicated advocates when winning matters most.
Pennsylvania’s Clean Slate Law automatically seals certain criminal records after specified waiting periods, allowing individuals with qualifying misdemeanors and felonies to have convictions hidden from public background checks without filing petitions. The law automatically seals summary offenses after 5 years, misdemeanor convictions with sentences under 2 years after 10 years,
Gun crimes in Philadelphia include illegal firearm possession, carrying without a license, using firearms during other offenses, and federal firearms violations prosecuted aggressively by both Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office and federal authorities. Pennsylvania law prohibits firearm possession by convicted felons, domestic violence offenders, and other prohibited persons (18 Pa.C.S. §
The difference between murder and manslaughter in Philadelphia centers on intent and circumstances—murder requires intentional killing or circumstances showing extreme indifference to human life, while manslaughter involves killing without malice aforethought, typically during sudden passion provoked by the victim or through reckless conduct. Pennsylvania law defines three murder degrees: first-degree
Plea bargain decisions in Pennsylvania criminal cases require weighing guaranteed outcomes against trial uncertainty, considering evidence strength, sentencing exposure, collateral consequences, and trial risks. Approximately 90-95% of Pennsylvania criminal cases resolve through plea agreements rather than trials, with defendants accepting negotiated guilty pleas in exchange for reduced charges, lower sentences,
Federal criminal charges in Philadelphia differ fundamentally from state charges in jurisdiction, investigation procedures, court systems, sentencing guidelines, and potential penalties. Federal cases are prosecuted by U.S. Attorneys in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania for crimes violating federal law—typically involving interstate commerce, federal property, federal
DUI defense strategies in Pennsylvania require challenging field sobriety tests, breathalyzer accuracy, blood test procedures, and traffic stop legality to protect your driving privileges and avoid criminal conviction. Pennsylvania’s tiered DUI system imposes increasingly severe penalties based on blood alcohol concentration (BAC), with general impairment (0.08-0.099%), high BAC (0.10-0.159%), and
Meet the experienced criminal defense attorney Thomas Burke who turn legal challenges into opportunities for justice and freedom for our clients.
