Allegheny County Lawyer
Custody Relocation Hearings in Pennsylvania
When a custodial parent wants to relocate with the child outside the jurisdiction and the non-custodial parent does not consent, there must first be an evidentiary hearing, at which the court will apply a three-prong test to determine whether relocation of the children can occur.
The test covers:
- the potential advantages of the move and the likelihood that the move will substantially improve the quality of life for the custodial parent and the child, and is not the result of a momentary whim on the part of the custodial parent;
- the integrity of the motives of both the custodial parent and the noncustodial parent in either seeking the move or opposing the move; and
- the availability of alternative, realistic, substitute visitation or partial custody for the non-custodial parent.
To speak with an experienced child custody lawyer, call Spivak Law Firm at (412) 344-4900 or toll free at (800) 545-9390.
5 Factors for Setting Bail in Allegheny County
A court uses several factors to determine the amount and type of bail it sets. Under Pennsylvania law, bail is security used to guarantee a person’s appearance in criminal court. A court may release you from jail on a Cash Bail, in which you must post the full amount of the face value of the bond, or a Percentage Cash Bail, in which you must deposit 10 percent of the face amount of the bond, or Release on Own Recognizance (R.O.R.) bond, in which you need not post any cash whatsoever.
In Allegheny County, the five main criteria used in the setting of bail are:
(1) The nature of the offense charged;
(2) Prior criminal history;
(3) Length of residence or community ties in Allegheny County;
(4) History of prior appearances in Court; and
(5) Whether or not the defendant poses a threat to the safety of the community.
To speak with an Allegheny County criminal attorney, call Spivak Law Firm at (412) 344-4900 or toll free at (800) 545-9390.