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The General Assembly of Pennsylvania recently passed House Bill No. 12, amending Title 23 (Domestic Relations) of the PA Consolidated Statutes relating to divorce. Introduced by Representative Michael H. Schlossberg, the legislation provides simple and meaningful reforms to better protect victims of domestic violence. Summarily, the amendment streamlines the legal process to dissolve a marriage when there have been instances of spousal abuse.

Under the prior law, if the abusive spouse did not consent to the divorce, the marriage could remain intact for two additional years. Under the new law, upon showing that the abusive spouse was convicted of a crime and the filing spouse was the victim, the innocent spouse can obtain a divorce in the same manner as if the convicted spouse consented to the divorce.  Additionally, the victimized spouse is no longer required to undergo court-ordered face-to-face counseling with the abusive spouse.

Terminating a marriage is a legal process that involves confronting the other spouse. This can be painstaking and difficult for victims of abuse. This amendment affords victims greater control over the decision to escape the abuse.

http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billinfo/billinfo.cfm?syear=2015&sind=0&body=H&type=B&bn=12

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On January 4, 2016, President Obama signed the final version of a new ATF** rule that directly affects the transfer and manufacture of weapons regulated by the National Firearms Act. That rule, known as the new ATF Rule 41(f) defines the term “responsible person,” as used in reference to an entity like a Gun Trust. It requires responsible persons to complete a specified form and to submit photographs and fingerprints when the trust or legal entity files an application to make an NFA firearm or is listed as the transferee on an application to transfer an NFA firearm. It also requires that a copy of all applications to make or transfer a firearm, and the specified form for responsible persons, as applicable, be forwarded to the chief law enforcement officer (CLEO) of the locality in which the applicant/transferee or responsible person is located.

Despite those changes, a Gun Trust is still without a doubt the best way to legally share the use of NFA weapons with others and to ease the process of legally transferring those weapons in the event of your death or incapacity. Attorney Matthew Oas is ready to meet with you and to custom tailor a Gun Trust that addresses your specific needs. Call today to set up a consultation to discuss the formation of a Gun Trust and to learn more about how it can help to protect you and your loved ones.

 ** ATF [Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives] defines themselves as “a law enforcement agency in the United States’ Department of Justice that protects our communities from violent criminals, criminal organizations, the illegal use and trafficking of firearms, the illegal use and storage of explosives, acts of arson and bombings, acts of terrorism, and the illegal diversion of alcohol and tobacco products”. ATF “… partners with communities, industries, law enforcement, and public safety agencies to safeguard the public we serve through information sharing, training, research and use of technology.”

Attorney Patterson has become of counsel with Pyfer Reese Straub Gray & Farhat PC as of January 1, 2016. He joins attorneys Robert H. Reese, Jr., Esquire, and Heather L. Adams, Esquire, in our office to continue providing our clients superior representation in our criminal law practice.

Christopher M. Patterson has over 38 years of experience with the criminal justice system. He focuses his practice on defending clients against all types of criminal charges: Felony, Misdemeanor and Summary Offenses. He has represented clients in State Courts throughout Southeastern Pennsylvania and in Federal Court. He is committed to providing the highest quality legal services. His goal in representing clients is to protect their rights, and vigorously defend their cases to achieve the best possible outcomes. He is an experienced trial attorney and will provide our clients with aggressive representation. He has appeared before the Professional Licensing Boards, the Pennsylvania Board of Pardons, Liquor Control Board and PennDOT.

Being arrested and charged with a crime is a traumatic and frightening experience. It can lead to emotional stress, loss of employment, financial penalties and jail. If you are under investigation for a crime, or have been arrested, you need qualified and experienced counsel.   

Attorney Patterson, as well as Attorneys Reese and Adams in our firm, handle each case personally, from initial consultation to conclusion. Every client receives the same attention to detail whether they are an individual or a corporation, public official or private person. Each case is thoroughly researched and investigated. Our attorneys Reese, Patterson and Adams treat every client with respect and compassion. Each has earned a reputation among their clients and the legal community for providing thorough and competent legal representation. They will zealously and ethically advocate for you.

If you are under investigation for a crime, or have been arrested, you need qualified and experienced counsel. Don’t take chances. You only get one opportunity to fight for your rights, so let an experienced and knowledgeable trial lawyer guide you through the complexities of our legal system. Among other areas, our criminal law attorneys handle assault, theft, burglary, homicide by vehicle, drug possession, PWID, DUI/DWI, BUI, DUS, pardons, expungements.

Attorney Patterson is a general member of the National College for DUI Defense.

His primary areas of practice will be Consumer Law, Family Law and Immigration Law.

Matthew  is a graduate of the Pennsylvania State University Dickinson School of Law where he was recognized as a Miller Pro Bono Program Public Interest Advocate. He also participated in the Academy of Trial Lawyers Mock Trial Competition and was active in the International Law Society and the Public Interest Law Fund. During law school Mr. Oas worked with MidPenn Legal Services as the recipient of an IOLTA Summer Fellowship. As part of that fellowship he assisted staff attorneys in representing clients in a variety of cases including protection from abuse, custody, landlord tenant, public benefits and consumer law matters.

Mr. Oas was admitted to practice law in both Pennsylvania and New Jersey in 2012 and is a member of the Pennsylvania Bar Association, the Lancaster Bar Association and the New Jersey State Bar Association. His practice is primarily focused on consumer law, family law and immigration law, including asylum cases. He  has appeared before immigration Courts in both York and Philadelphia.

In his free time, Mr. Oas volunteers for Wills for Heroes and also enjoys hiking Lancaster’s many parks and trails with his beagle, Olive.

PYFER REESE STRAUB GRAY & FARHAT PC Is congratulated by Lancaster County Magazine for being voted in its 2015 Best of Lancaster Readers’ Survey.

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*For the first time Pennsylvania voters will fill 3 of the 7 seats in Pennsylvania’s
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Gabriella H. Farhat, Esq., joined 5,500 walkers in helping to raise $810,000 for Making Strides of Harrisburg. She is a leader in helping to finish the fight against breast cancer.
…When you raise funds and join the community to help finish the fight, you help create a meaningful experience for breast cancer survivors …and all those whose lives have been touched by this disease.
…Thanks again, Gabriella, for supporting Making Strides of Harrisburg and helping to finish the fight against breast cancer.