Lancaster Legal Blog

The agent you name in your health care power of attorney document will be responsible for making medical decisions on your behalf in the event you are too sick to make them for yourself. Because this person is called to action only after you have been incapacitated, there are several important factors to consider when selecting an agent.

Typically, it is best to name one agent and at least one back-up person, just in case your first choice is unable to perform the required duties at the time they are needed. Sometimes people mistakenly think they can select a doctor or other healthcare professional to be an agent, but this is not the case. Instead, a trusted adult family member or friend should be chosen. However, it is important to keep in mind that the person closest to you may not be the person best suited to be your agent.

When you are charged with a criminal offense a preliminary hearing is the initial court hearing normally held the magistrate's office where the offense occurred.  In Lancaster County certain preliminary hearings are held downtown at the courthouse (DUI's and domestic violence cases).  The arresting officer will file the the criminal charges. The District Attorney's Office will prosecute those charges by offering evidence against you.  Evidence can take the form of testimony from witnesses, scientific testing, and statements made to the police.  A preliminary hearing does not determine guilt or innocence.  Instead, the purpose of a preliminary hearing is to determine whether there is enough evidence for the case to move forward.  If so, the case will move downtown to "big court".   If they can not, your attorney can make a motion to dismiss.   At that point the case may be over for good.  But not always.