Experienced, Personalized And Effective Legal Solutions
For more than 40+ years, the attorneys at Gusty A.E. Sunseri & Associates, P.C., have produced trusted legal results for our clients.
Negligence occurs around us more than most of us realize. Other motorists are distracted, drunk or tired, and medical professionals may fail to order or accurately read certain tests. Even property owners can be negligent in failing to recognize and free their premises from hazardous conditions. These situations can lead...
Regardless of what you may have heard about states relaxing their drug laws, the fact of the matter is that the war on drugs rages on. Local law enforcement and prosecutors are aggressive in their investigation and prosecution of those they feel have broken the state’s drug laws. Those on...
Legal issues can arise among families. This blog has previously discussed family law issues and why it is important to address them appropriately. One topic we have touched on is prenuptial agreements. Regardless of one’s wealth or strength of relationship with his or her soon-to-be spouse, a prenuptial agreement can...
If you are thinking about starting a business, then you have a lot on your plate. You may find yourself pondering how you will raise capital, who you will hire to help you provide your goods or services and how you will protect your brand. Yet, from the get-go, the...
You already know that so much goes into starting your own business, from its conception to realization. One step you want to remember is forming your company’s handbook. Also known as the employee handbook, it outlines to your employees the policies and procedures of your company. Having your employees read...
Family law matters, as it relates to child custody, tends to favor mothers. If you are a woman, this is a good thing. If you are a father who is hoping to secure parental rights, then this may pose as a barrier. For these men, establishing paternity can be a...
There are a number of sex-related criminal offenses recognized by Pennsylvania law. One subset of these offenses are those crimes related to prostitution. Those who are accused of prostitution or solicitation can find themselves embarrassed, but there is often much more at stake than just their feelings. And if convicted,...
Pennsylvanians who have been injured in an accident caused by the negligence of another may rightfully ask what they can do to recover compensation for their damages. In order to succeed on one of these claims, certain legal elements must be proven by a preponderance of the evidence. Amongst these...
Raising a child can be quite expensive. When young, children will need diapers and baby food as well as childcare. As they age, the expenses may change, but they remain constant. School supplies, clothing, food and extracurricular activities can all put a massive dent in parents’ wallets. While covering these...
The damages suffered in a car accident can be quite extensive. A victim may be subjected to physical pain and suffering, and the emotional toll taken can be quite significant. Additionally, a victim can be left with financial losses that can leave him or her on unsteady financial footing. These...
If you are finally getting around to starting that business in Pittsburgh you have long been thinking about, there are some things you need to take into consideration first. Starting a business is one of the most rewarding ventures you can ever undertake. However, if you do not plan things...
Previously, this blog discussed how Pennsylvania law defines the criminal offense of theft. Knowing how the law defines these offenses is critical, as oftentimes the statutory language can give rise to criminal defense options. For example, with many kinds of theft, prosecutors must show some sort of intent before a...
Alcohol is a drug that can either be enjoyed responsibly or irresponsibly. Although most people know their limit, even these individuals may inaccurately assess their driving abilities after consuming any number of alcoholic beverages. When these individuals get behind the wheel, they may put themselves and others at risk of...
Choosing the right structure for your business is an essential step toward its future success. Several options exist for Pennsylvania business owners, each offering its own pros and cons. Your choice may depend on your type of business, its size and your future plans for it. The Limited Liability Company...
As drunk driving accidents continue to be prevalent in today’s society, the authorities are always looking for a reason to stop drivers. Once a stop occurs, police officers rely on a multitude of tests in order to determine, in their opinion, whether a motorist is intoxicated. The results of these...
Nearly every day, we all enter onto the premises of another. Whether we go to work, go to the store or visit a friend, we often step onto these properties without much thought about our safety. There is good reason for this. After all, the law aims to protect people...
When property goes missing, many individuals are quick point the finger and blame others for their loss. Although sometimes others are responsible for missing property, other times allegations are falsely made or falsely levied against an individual. Yet, when accusations are made, a Pennsylvania resident can wind up facing criminal...
You need to consider all of your options to protect your identity, credit scores, bank accounts, etc. If you are a victim of the Equifax Security Breach, contact our law firm, Gusty A. E. Sunseri & Associates, P.C., for a free legal consultation regarding how to protect yourself. To determine...
The decision to get married is often one that is made out of love, and this is rightly so. Yet, despite the flood of emotions a couple may feel when they decide to take the plunge into matrimony, they need to realize that they are not only making a decision...
Contracts are a pivotal part of conducting business. Without them, businesses would be left to rely on each other’s word, leaving them no legal recourse in the event that a party does not live up to its side of the bargain. Therefore, contracts can be a great way for businesses...
As you get ready to create estate plans and make your end-of-life care instructions, you may find yourself wondering if you really need a living will or trust. Although they sound alike, they serve two different purposes. Both documents allow you to leave explicit details on how you want your...
Divorce can be a big decision, not only because of the emotional ramifications that can come with ending what was once a strong relationship, but also because of the financial impact it can have on an individual’s post-divorce life. Of course, child support and alimony can play key roles in...
Law enforcement officers and prosecutors are constantly looking for ways to build cases that leave them well positioned to obtain a conviction against an individual they believe has committed a crime. Although the law tries to strike a balance between protecting personal liberty and public safety, far too often overzealous...
Pittsburgh residents who are slapped with criminal charges can find themselves afraid on many levels. They might be concerned about how the allegations will affect their reputation, but their primary concern may revolve around the potential penalties they could face if convicted. Depending on the crime at hand, a criminal...
Whether one is buying real estate, entering into a business deal, or hiring an employee, a relationship exists. Contracts are an integral part of just about every major transaction. Generally speaking, a contract is an agreement to enter into a bartered exchange. Therefore, an offer must be made by one...
Recently, this blog discussed how semi-trucks need additional distance to come to a safe stop when compared to the stopping distances of passenger vehicles. This distance can be affected by a number of factors, including driver attentiveness and sobriety. Far too often, though, truckers are distracted, fatigued, intoxicated or otherwise...
If you are planning to own a business in Pennsylvania that serves and sells alcohol, you will need to get a liquor license. The application process may seem like it is an easy one. However, if you are not careful, you could make mistakes that prevent approval of your application....
In many instances, in order for businesses to operate properly promises have to be made and kept. Because of this reality, many individuals and businesses find themselves relying on the promises of others. This is the basis of contracts. Most often, parties come together to barter over some sort of...
It’s not uncommon for relationships to sour. When they do, negative animosity towards one another can leave individuals amidst heated arguments and false accusations. In some instances, these allegations take on a criminal nature, which, in turn, can lead to criminal charges and the potential for the imposition of serious...
If you’re about to get married, then you may find yourself concerned about a number of issues; not least amongst them is your finances. Sure, you’ve probably discussed a budget with your soon-to-be-spouse, but since you’ve likely heard a number of horror stories involving divorce and financial ruin, you might...
Semi-trucks play an important role in our society in that they can quickly move goods from place to place, keeping costs relatively low for consumers. Although these vehicles and their drivers can provide a benefit to Americans, they can also pose a serious risk. A negligently driven semi-truck can place...
When you go to the store, you probably don’t think much about your safety. This is for good reason because most are under the assumption that the safety of patrons are considered and addressed. Property owners who fail to ensure the safety of others who enter their premises may be...
Selling alcohol in your store or restaurant can significantly boost profits and draw in a new group of clientele. Any savvy business owner would be attracted to this idea, and if you are one of them, you might consider applying for a liquor license. For all the benefits it can...
For many, July 4 means sitting on the curb on your town’s Main Street watching the band march by and saluting our veterans. For others, it means laying out a blanket and watching the sky light up at night with a fireworks display. For many others, it means sharing the...
In order to protect yourself and your business, it is crucial to have a firm understanding of the laws and regulations in place. There may be instances where you find yourself in an uncomfortable or unwelcome situation either facing business litigation or the victim of another business’s illegal tactics. In...
One of the inevitabilities of human life is that as we age, our bodies start to break down. Everybody is different. Some people at the age of 90 are healthier than others at the age of 70. If you have an elderly loved one who is getting up in age,...
Different business entities have different characteristics in different areas, including: ownership and control; liability; taxation, reporting requirements; formation and dissolution requirements; distribution of profits, and so on. The type of entity selected when forming a business is important to get right, as making a wise selection will help ensure the...
Earlier this year, a new Pennsylvania law went into effect which made significant changes to several types of partnership entities and limited liability companies. The changes were fairly widespread touching upon matters of formation, dissolution, registration, governance, distribution and liability for general and limited partnerships, limited liability partnerships, and limited...
Part of owning a company and preparing your estate is forming a business succession plan. This entails deciding what will happen to your small business once you no longer are willing or able to run it. You do not need to wait until you want to move on to another...
We’ve been looking in recent posts at the two bases on which the government can build a drunken driving case, and some of the issues that need to be considered when building a strong defense against DUI charges. As we’ve noted, meeting or exceeding the legal blood alcohol limit and...
In our last post, we mentioned several important factors that need to be considered when scrutinizing the reliability of alcohol tests in drunken driving cases. As we mentioned, the scientific acceptability of breath testing software; proper calibration, use and maintenance of breath testing devices; proper performance of blood testing and...
Most people understand that it is important to work with an experienced criminal defense attorney when facing drunken driving charges, if for no other reason than they do not understand the legal process and how to build a strong defense case. While in every drunken driving case, the goal is...
As a business owner, you can expect to sign a lot of contracts. You will enter into contractual relationships with vendors, customers, service providers and employees. Knowing how contracts work can help you deal with some common problems. First of all, you need a valid contract if you want performance...
Previously, looked at the federal Hours of Service rules in summary form, noting their important role in addressing the problem of truck driver fatigue. As we mentioned last time, the 34-hour restart rule has received a lot of attention in recent years due to a provision requiring truckers to include...
Truck accidents can occur for a variety of reasons, though there are some factors that come up with more frequency than others. Some of these factors tend to get more attention because of the public interest in effectively addressing them so as to reduce the risk of accidents. One of...
In previous posts, we looked briefly at some of the important ways businesses can protect valuable information, including intellectual property protections and trade secret protections. Both are useful tools when employed strategically and with the help of an experienced attorney who knows how to make effective use of them. Another...
Starting a new business is an exciting venture, but it often comes with some questions and stress. As you begin to follow your dreams to become a business owner, you might be wondering what type of business you should form. With so many options out there, this choice can be...
Last time, we began commenting on some of the tools and strategies businesses can use to protect sensitive information from competitors, specifically taking a brief look at intellectual property rights. As we noted, registering and enforcing trademarks, patents and copyrights, and establishing an effective strategy for licensing, can be an...
For employers, protecting valuable businesses resources from competitors is critical to ensuring the success of the business. Valuable resources include not only intellectual property created by the company, but also trade secrets and employees, particularly high-level employees who have access to sensitive company information. Protecting intellectual property includes not only...
It starts with an idea and a dream, and you have been successful at turning it into a business that continues to thrive and grow. Unfortunately, no matter how great your ideas or business skills are, you are likely to run into some type of growing pains as you stretch...
We’ve been looking in recent posts at the topic of searches and seizures, the warrant requirement, and some recent cases involving jurisdictional issues surrounding warrants. Another warrant-related issue that is a hot-button issue at present is to what extent cell phones and other mobile digital devices should be treated as...
It is well known among business owners in Pennsylvania that liquor licenses and permits are some of the most complicated pieces of running a service industry business. However, in 2016 The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (PCLB) became a lot easier to work with when they began accepting requests for various...
In our last post, we began looking at the important issue of the Fourth Amendment in criminal defense, particularly in the context of investigation of suspected Internet crimes. As we noted, the federal government’s ability to search data stored on overseas servers is part of this discussion. Although the FBI’s...
In an age of technology, the Fourth Amendment protection against unreasonable searches and seizures is increasingly being tested in new contexts. One of the issues currently being played out in the courts is that of the government’s ability to access electronic data located outside a court’s jurisdiction. Last year, the...
Previously, we began looking at some of the pressures that are bearing upon electronics and app manufacturers to address the problem of distracted driving. As we noted, this pressure is coming both from highway safety regulators and from the court system. App developer Snapchat, for instance, was sued last year...
Distracted driving is a major safety issue on roadways, and states have taken a variety of approaches to address the problem. These include not only regulating, if not banning, the use of cell phones while driving, increasing enforcement of highway safety laws, and increasing public awareness of the problem. Liability...
In our previous post, we began discussing the topic of the best interests of the child and how family courts make child custody determinations in Pennsylvania. As we noted, Pennsylvania judges have wide discretion in making these decisions and, as in other states, weigh a number of factors in determining...
Child custody is an important issue in divorce, and typically the most important issue for divorcing parents. One of the challenges parents can face in child custody proceedings is that the mode of advocacy is different than it is for financial matters. Whereas financial disputes in divorce are aimed at...
Divorce symbolizes the end of a marriage and the beginning of a new life. Starting a new life without a former spouse may be intimidating, especially when financial obligations that were once shared as a couple are the sole responsibility of a single individual. Although setting out on your own...
When you set foot onto someone else’s property, it is reasonable to expect you will not be injured. This legal theory falls under the legal term “premises liability.” It means property owners are responsible for maintaining a safe environment for guests. Premises liability applies to a wide range of property...
It’s best to get any important agreement in writing. Even among friends and family that go into business together, a contract can save a lot of frustration, anger and even unease. The idea is that by writing it down on paper (make sure there is a hard copy), the terms...