Resources for the Public

Welcome to the public section of the CDRC website. We hope that the following pages will increase your understanding of your rights as a citizen and, if ever, as a Defendant in the United States and Pennsylvania Judicial Systems. We have also provided information on common Pennsylvania crimes as well as a glimpse into the duties and obligations of criminal defense attorneys. While we cannot answer specific legal questions, we are open to all content requests and suggestions. If there is a topic that you wish addressed, please email webmaster@pacdl-cdrc.org and we will do our best to accommodate should your request fall within the parameters of our mission.

Criminal Law - an overview

Take a crash course on the United States and Pennsylvania criminal justice systems.

The Juror's Guide: A Quick Reference to Your Role in the Trial Process in Pennsylvania

Presented by Pennsylvanians for Modern Courts and the Pennsylvania Bar Association. Learn about the Pennsylvania court system, what you can expect when serving as a juror, and the critical role jurors play in our justice system. Download the Guide in Acrobat® (.pdf) format.

Pending Legislation

Legislative Updates: there are always bills being considered by the Pennsylvania General Assembly that have an impact on criminal law. We provide daily updates to the status of these bills. To read the text of the bill, just click on the bill number. To learn about the bill's primary sponsor, click on their name. Should you wish to have an impact on this legislation, please contact the bill sponsor for more information.

Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes

Read the text of current state laws for free on the web.

Common Legal Terminology

Click here for a link to a dictionary of commonly used legal terms.

Common Pennsylvania Offenses

The following is a list of some of the most common misdemeanors and felonies seen in the courtroom.

Your Rights as a Citizen

One of the benefits of being a citizen of the United States is that you have certain inalienable rights. Guaranteed. Take the first step in exercising those rights by learning what they are and how they work.

The Pennsylvania Judiciary

Click here for a brief overview of the Pa. Judiciary and links to the Judiciary websites.