Media Resources
Distracted driving citations in Pennsylvania see significant jump
Distracted driving citations increased by 52 percent statewide in 2017 – and have increased 172 percent since 2013. In Pennsylvania all drivers are prohibited from texting while driving, which includes sending, reading or writing a text-based message or e-mail, and from wearing or using headphones or earphones while the car is in motion. This infographic highlights key data and demographics about distracted drivers in Pennsylvania. County-specific data is available at the end of the news release.
Drug Delivery Resulting in Death Citations at Five-year High
Drug delivery resulting in death charges statewide have increased by 1,267 percent between 2013 and 2017. In Pennsylvania, a drug delivery resulting in death charge is issued to a person who intentionally administers, dispenses, delivers, gives, prescribes, sells or distributes any controlled substance or counterfeit controlled substance, and another person dies as a result of using the substance. This infographic highlights key data and demographics about drug delivery resulting in death in Pennsylvania. County-specific data is available at the end of the news release.
Pennsylvania Common Pleas Judicial Needs Assessment
Pennsylvania’s judiciary today released the results of a statewide judicial needs assessment study that uses data to help to determine the ideal allocation of judicial resources in Common Pleas Courts to manage and resolve court business timely and effectively for the public.
Pennsylvania’s Veterans Courts Make a Difference for Veterans
Pennsylvania’s veterans population ranks fourth in the U.S. with nearly 846,000 veterans as of 2016. Since 2009, Pennsylvania’s veterans courts have been assisting veterans who are charged with crimes and are struggling with addiction, mental illness or co-occurring disorders. Veterans court participants appear before a judge on a regular basis; receive support and guidance from veteran mentors; and get treatment to address underlying problems often caused by post-traumatic stress disorder. In 2016, 199 out of 274 veterans graduated from this specialty court, which is a 74 percent successful graduation rate.
Infographic: Pennsylvania Protection from Abuse Data
Statewide and county-by-county protection from abuse (PFA) data from Pennsylvania courts is available via an interactive dashboard on the Pennsylvania judiciary’s website, with highlights in the infographic below. For example, 49 percent of processed PFA petitions are terminated by plaintiffs who either withdraw the complaint (20 percent) or don’t appear in court (29 percent).
Underage Drinking Citations in Pennsylvania Declining
Underage drinking citations statewide have decreased by 45 percent between 2012 and 2016. In Pennsylvania an underage drinking citation is issued to anyone under the age of 21 who is caught consuming, transporting, purchasing or attempting to purchase any alcoholic beverage. These numbers do not include driving under the influence offenses. This infographic highlights key data and demographics about underage drinking in Pennsylvania.
Pennsylvania communities receive valuable service from juvenile offenders
By completing 702,919 hours of community service, 14,220 juveniles contributed to $5.1 million worth of volunteer service in 2014 and 2015. Most juvenile offenders in Pennsylvania successfully complete their public service benefiting communities across the state.