Let’s be fools...for our own good

The month of April begins with a day where everyone across the world plays harmless pranks or practical jokes on other people. The significance and history of this day are not fixated on one single event. Rather, it has many explanations that change across nations and their long-standing tradition. There are beliefs that the practice originated for the first time in France. However, the truth about the real story of April Fool’s day is unknown because of the multiple iterations and origins.

Even though its historical significance is murky and present-day reception is somewhat mixed in nature, the idea of April fool’s day gives a very interesting perspective on day-to-day life. It allows us to tone down the seriousness that surrounds our daily routines and approach living with a slightly frivolous mood.

This year in April many of us celebrate Passover and Easter with our loved ones making it a good time to also celebrate and reflect upon one’s spirituality, and reset the internal engine amidst the fast-paced chaos of life.

Introduction to the Juvenile Court System in Pennsylvania

By David C. Dagle

A phone call from the police advising a parent that they would like to speak to their child about something that has happened is often a family’s introduction to the Pennsylvania juvenile justice system. With that phone call, parents are going to experience a flood of emotions and have more questions than the police are going to be willing to answer. It is important for parents to understand not only what is happening but what could happen as their child navigates the juvenile system.

The Pennsylvania juvenile justice system differs greatly from the adult court system. First, the Juvenile justice system deals only with offenders who range in age from 10 to 17 years old, although supervision of offenders can continue until the age 21. Due to the age of the offenders the focus is more on treatment and less on punishment. The system is designed to hold youthful offenders accountable for their actions, with the goal to teach them to be responsible and productive members of the community.

Despite the fact that the focus is on rehabilitation and providing services to youthful offenders, there is the possibility that a child could be placed in a juvenile detention center. Although, placement of youthful offenders into a detention facility is a possibility, it is often used as a last resort. Under the Pennsylvania Juvenile Act, detention should only be used if; (1) it is required to protect the child or others (2) the child is at risk of being removed from the jurisdiction or runaway or (3) no parent or guardian is able to provide supervision and care.

How Does the Juvenile System Work?

Just like in adult court, the juvenile process begins with an arrest. After that the system works very differently. After an arrest a juvenile is referred to the juvenile probation department for an intake. Through this process the probation department will interview the juvenile, his parents, and the victim to determine how the case will proceed. The probation department will also complete several standardized assessments of the juvenile to assist in determining the proper recommendations as to appropriate resolutions of the matter. The assessments include a child trauma screening, behavioral health screening and a risk assessment. It is important to note that information obtained during the screening or assessments may not be used in any subsequent adjudication hearing.

During the interview stage, the juvenile will be given an opportunity to admit or deny their involvement in the alleged offenses. If the juvenile does not admit to their involvement the interview process ends and the matter is referred to court for an adjudication hearing.

What Are Potential Outcomes?

There are three basic outcomes for a matter in the juvenile court system. First is a consent decree. A consent decree is similar to ARD in adult court. The juvenile is placed under supervision for a period of up to 6 months. During that time, they are required to comply with certain conditions established by the court. Upon successful completion of the requirements, the case is closed without adjudication (finding of guilt) by the court.

A juvenile may also be placed on formal supervision. Under formal supervision, a juvenile must comply with terms and conditions imposed by the court. A juvenile may be ordered to participate in community-based services or treatment during their period of probation. Cases under formal probation are typically scheduled for review every 6 months to determine the need for continued services or supervision.

The final outcome of a juvenile case is placement in a juvenile detention center. Despite the fact that the focus is on rehabilitation and providing services to youthful offenders, there is the possibility that a child could be placed in a juvenile detention center. Although, placement of youthful offenders into a detention facility is a possibility, it is often used as a last resort. Under the Pennsylvania Juvenile Act, detention should only be used if; (1) it is required to protect the child or others (2) the child is at risk of being removed from the jurisdiction or runaway or (3) no parent or guardian is able to provide supervision and care. A juvenile placed outside the home will have a review hearing at least every 6 months to determine the need for continued placement.

Do Juvenile Records Carry Over to Adulthood?

Unfortunately, involvement in the juvenile justice system does not just disappear when a juvenile turns 18. Certain juvenile offenses can have a significant impact on a child’s future. First and foremost, juvenile court records could be open to the public if the juvenile was 12-13 years-old and adjudicated delinquent of certain serious offenses or if they were 14 or older and adjudicated delinquent of any felony offense. This could impact the juvenile’s ability to enlist in the military, carry a firearm, obtain public housing, or attend school.

The juvenile court system is designed to move much faster that the adult system and could have longstanding unforeseen consequences if not handled properly. Therefore, it is important that if you have a child that is facing charges in juvenile court, that you contact an attorney immediately to protect their rights.

Contact David C. Dagle at ddagle@pjrlaw.comor 717-591-1755 for further guidance.

We are seeking guest writers...

We are seeking guest writers to contribute to our email newsletter which reaches more than 2000 people per month. If you would like to consider a joint article (for example: How COVID has impacted on the wedding industry and the legal recourse you might have), we would be glad to work on something with you. For more information, please contact Ashley Malcolm via email amalcolm@pjrlaw.com or call 717-610-1639.

It’s Your “Move”. A peek into the “Crystal Ball”

By John Anthony

“What are rates going to do?”

“Should I lock now or wait?”

“Should I sell NOW or wait a year?”

“Should I refinance NOW or wait for the market to move lower for me?”

Much like a good financial planner would tell you they do not know which way the stock market will go, or a good trial attorney would tell you that there is no way to know for sure which way a jury will go, a good professional mortgage lender is going to tell you that no one has a crystal ball. That the best we can do is offer our educated guess. Some are more educated than others…. Nonetheless, there are NO guarantees in life, except perhaps death and taxes (and maybe that my Eagles will NEVER win a Super Bowl again). But I digress.

Here is what I would share from what I have seen:

Confidence is High

In the past, many folks who would have liked to have moved did not. Instead, they fixed up their current home. Their confidence in their future was so low that they felt that they could not make decisions that would create major change or that would require them to take on more debt in the form of a larger mortgage. The effect of this lack of confidence was that even though we had historically lower rates in the mortgage market, once the refinances dried up, the level of purchase business was considerably lower than it could have been.

Now, fast forward to today. We see quite a bit of a pent-up supply of buyers (all those folks who wanted to sell over the last several years and move up to a bigger home, but held off), and an influx of Millennials who have been holding off on purchasing their first home longer than their parents’ generation did. Even through COVID, we saw the a “seller’s market” like we have never seen before.

Rates are a Factor

Rates are now in the 2s and not the 3s as they were pre-COVID. A one percent difference on a $250,000 loan over 30 years is a cost of approximately $37,000. Ouch!! But certainly compared to the high teens of the late 70s and early 80s, having a rate in the 3s or 4s is a great place to be. In fact, if the rates do go up over the next year or so, the 4s could very well be in our rearview mirror by the beginning of 2022. Therefore, people in the market in the spring of 2022 may be wishing they had acted in the spring of 2021.

What’s Happening Right Now?

Currently, we are continuing to experience a seller’s market. There are more buyers out there looking for homes than there are people who have put their home on the market. The effect of this over time may be that we see real estate values increasing at a faster rate than before. We are seeing many situations with multiple offers on the same home with escalation clauses built into the contract. Good news for the sellers. Good for buyers if the condition sustains.

Crystal Ball-Wise

I would say this: If it is the right time for you and your family in every other way, I believe now is an excellent time, from rate and market value perspectives, to make your move. Values are lower than in all likelihood they will be in the next several years and so are rates. Also, confidence is high that many will prosper over the same time frame. Carpe Diem.

Just one professional’s view through his Crystal Ball.

About the Author

John Anthony is a 30+ year veteran of the mortgage industry. Over that time, he has worked as a realtor, mortgage broker and mortgage lender. He has also been involved in leadership within the mortgage industry trade associations and has taught on mortgage lending topics to originators and regulators throughout the country. He can be reached at janthony@fairwaymc.com.

Slow down for a while to be more productive

We live in a world where looking and being busy is worn as a badge of honor. While there is nothing wrong with working hard for your career, a pause and reset are also required to save oneself from burnout. Below are a few easy tips to slow down so you can ultimately increase your productivity.

Take out time to do absolutely nothing - If you are one of those people who have no time for leisure activities, then this habit is a must for you and your time management skills. Until you learn to carve out time for yourself to just be and do nothing, your schedule will continue to be hectic. Only when you will have the mental space to sit back and think, reflect, and reorganize is when you will be able to master the practice of time management.

Use the old school pen and paper - In the days of electronic notes, the charm of writing down things on paper has diminished. It has been found that the practice of using pen and paper to write down things boosts creativity.

Enhance your environment - Slowing down is a process that not only requires internal work but external changes as well. It is hard to pause in the fast-moving life if your immediate environment is not reflective of the idea. If you are working from home, then the appropriate environment to slow down would be a place that would be away from electronics and distractions. At the workplace, this would be moving out from your office to a park or taking a short walk. The whole idea is to move to a calmer place.

Make a tweak in your leisure activities - The sort of things you do to relax can also affect the pace of your life. Try switching the Netflix binge with reading or even breathing practices. Swap your high-intensity workouts with yoga or slow movement practice from time to time and see the difference.

Lose the guilt - Last but most important, do not ever take the guilt of slowing down for a short while. No machinery in the world, even as sophisticated as the human body, can function at full throttle all the time. To avoid burnout and maintain longevity, take the foot off the pedal when needed.

Mind, body and spirit

As summer arrives in full strength, many are fixated on getting their bodies in the best shape of the year. However, in the pursuit of aesthetics, many people ignore the importance of their mental health. Read on for some actionable tips to work on your mental well-being as well.

Spend time on the outside - With work-from-home being the new normal, many professionals are going out in the open a lot less. This affects the overall mood of an individual in a negative way. It has been proven that 20 minutes of direct sunlight during sunrise and sunset can do wonders for human health, which is not just limited to Vitamin D.

Eat less refined sugar - Foods that consist of refined sugars lead to energy crashes and induce further cravings for similar foods. Substituting these desserts with other healthier options that contain complex carbohydrates will be a good decision to ensure a consistent mood throughout the day.

Take food supplementation if needed - Consult your physician and get some tests if needed. If there is any requirement for supplementation or efficiency in your body, then follow up with a good nutritionist to get on a properly balanced diet. You can also go for natural nootropics like Lionsmane and Ashwagandha to relieve stress and feel better overall. Before taking any food supplement, make sure you are not allergic to them.