Jenei & Cohen, P.C. Sponsors New Hope Historical Society Garden Tour

We are proud to once again sponsor the New Hope Historical Society Garden Tour.  Details of the Garden Tour can be found by clicking here. You can also purchase tickets online.

Colin Jenei Update

Colin was recently invited to lecture on DUI topics at the Pennsylvania Bar Institute in Harrisburg.  The Harrisburg Criminal Law Symposium typically draws 400 lawyers, including prosecutors and judges, from across the state.  Colin’s presentation will be on the basics of driving under the influence law. 

Colin has had a busy year of trials and arbitrations in personal injury matters.  His last arbitration resulted in a gross award of $300,000.00 in a case where the various insurance companies had only offered $100,000.00 in an attempt to settle the case.

Bucks County Modifies ARD Program

In 2011, the Bucks County District Attorney’s Office made several changes to the Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition Program (ARD).  This is a program for first-time offenders who have not committed a crime of violence.    The program allows offenders to avoid jail and to erase their criminal records.  People charged with a first Driving Under the Influence offense have a chance of getting this program.  It is important that people understand the new rules and regulations with regard to ARD.   These policies are not written and must be known by the attorney practicing in Bucks County.  Ultimately, the District Attorney’s Office decides whether a person gets ARD.  Some of the policies with regard to ARD have actually been loosened.  Other policies have become more restrictive.  Knowledge of the DA’ s  ARD policies and practices is critical in representing first-time offenders.  

Colin Jenei, who previously served as the Chief of the Homicide by Vehicle Unit of the Bucks County District Attorneys' Office has almost 30 years experience representing clients facing DUI charges.  Contact Colin at cjenei@jeneiandcohen.com to request a consultation.

Congratulations to Charissa J. Liller

Charissa J. Liller has been named a Shareholder of Jenei & Cohen, P.C. as of January 1, 2012.  Charissa has been with the firm since 2005.  Her practice focuses on criminal defense and domestic representation, including divorce, custody and support.  As a former Assistant District Attorney, Charissa has substantial courtroom experience.  Recently, Charissa litigated and won two precedent-setting appeals before the Pennsylvania Superior Court.  

Charissa can be reached at cliller@jeneiandochen.com.

Welcome to Marijo M. Murphy

In September 2011, Marijo M. Murphy joined the firm as Of Counsel.  Marijo has over 30 years experience representing clients in all aspects of domestic matters, including divorce, support and custody.  She joins Charissa J. Liller.  Together, they will continue to provide outstanding services to our clients.

Significant Changes to Federal Estate Tax Law

Due to its inclusion in the recent compromise tax bill, the changes to the Federal Estate Tax have received a substantial amount of publicity.  As most people know, the new tax law substantially changes the Federal Estate Tax.  Under the new law, the first $5,000,000 of a person's estate is tax free.  This increased the available exemption from the $1,000,000 amount set to return in January and the $3,500,000 amount in place in 2009.  In addition, the rate of tax decreases to 35%.  Overall, far fewer people will be paying a Federal Estate Tax and those that are will be paying less than before.

One of the most interesting features of the new law is the portability provision.  Previously, if a spouse died without using his or her exemption (e.g. by giving all assets to the surviving spouse) the exemption would be lost.  When the second spouse subsequently died, he or she would have only his or her own exemption to work with.  Planning would typically be put in place - using bypass trusts often funded through disclaimers - to try to utilize both exemptions.  Under the new law, however, the surviving spouse will be able to utilize the deceased spouse's exemption to the extent it was unused.  This could potentially allow a surviving spouse to carry a $10,000,000 exemption!  While this feature seems like a great gift from the government there is at least one catch.  In order for the surviving spouse to use the deceased spouse's exemption, a Federal Estate Tax Return (form 706) will need to filed following the death of the first spouse.  While the time and cost of filing a return will be worth the potential savings in the future, the new law creates a trap for the unwary.

Jenei & Cohen, P.C. provides estate planning services for individuals and couples at all levels of wealth.  Please call for a consultation.

Life and Estate Planning for the LGBT Community

It is important for everyone to understand their legal rights and obligations when it comes to their relationships with others. This is even more important for members of the LGBT community. While the law establishes certain rights and rules for married couples, those same rights and rules do not apply to unmarried couples. Pennsylvania will not likely recognize gay marriage anytime soon.  There are steps, however, that you can take to protect yourself, your partner and your loved ones.

Click on our The purpose of this page is to introduce you to some issues that should be considered when planning.  While this discussion is far from complete, hopefully, it will encourage you to talk to your partner, pursue these matters and seek the advice of counsel with an understanding of the needs of LGBT clients. 

Click on our Life and Estate Planning for the LGBT Community page for more information.

Paul R. Cohen has worked with numerous LGBT clients addressing their planning needs.  He has spoken at several continuing education programs instructing attorneys on the needs of the LGBT community.  He is a faculty member of the Delaware Valley Legacy Fund, a Philadelphia-based non-profit organization associated with the Philadelphia Foundation.  In 2008, Paul received the Platinum Award from the DVLF for his commitment to the LGBT community.

Colin M. Jenei Gets PennDOT License Suspension Reversed

Recently, Colin was able to reverse a PennDOT suspension of his client’s license.  In a hearing before Bucks County Judge Diane Gibbons, Colin convinced the court that his client did not refuse to give a blood sample after a DUI arrest.  Penndot has taken an appeal of the Court’s ruling and Colin looks forward to vigorously defending his client and the lower court’s position before the Commonwealth Court. 

Colin has over 25 years experience, having served for 14 years in the Bucks County District Attorney's Office, where he was Chief of the Homicide by Vehicle Unit and later appointed Chief Deputy District Attorney.  He regularly presents at continuing education classes, where he lectures on vehicle-related crimes and their consequences, with a focus on DUI.  Colin practices in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.

Charissa J. Liller Obtains Acquittal from Bucks County Jury

Charissa J. Liller recently obtained an acquittal for a client accused of sexual assault.  After a two-day trial and an hour and a half of deliberations, a Bucks County jury returned a not guilty verdict on all counts.

This case was notable for a variety of reasons.  Upon learning that our client wanted a jury trial, the Commonwealth added an extra count that would have required the client to report under Megan’s Law if he was convicted.  Most people do not realize that Megan’s Law can apply to crimes which occur strictly between adults.

After the Commonwealth presented the testimony of the complainant, Charissa conducted an extensive cross-examination, revealing multiple discrepancies in her story.  She then called the police officer who filed the charges.  He corroborated that the majority of the woman’s testimony was not consistent with what she first reported.  It is highly unusual for a defense attorney to call the prosecuting police officer in a case to support her client.  However, since the Commonwealth never called him to testify, it was necessary to call him as a witness for the defense.

The client testified during the trial.  This is a rare occurrence in criminal court.  In this case, however, Charissa believed it was important for the jury to hear from the defendant directly as to what happened, i.e. that he and this woman engaged in a consensual act.  Due to excellent preparation, he provided a compelling response to the Commonwealth’s story.

At the end of the day, Charissa obtained a victory for our client.  The jury quickly ascertained that the woman’s story did not make sense, and found our client not guilty in under two hours.

Charissa J. Liller practices primarily in the areas of Criminal Defense and Family Law, including divorce, custody, support and adoption matters.  Prior to joining the firm in 2005, Charissa Liller served as an Assistant District Attorney in Bucks County and Berks County.  She has substantial experience representing clients charged with sex-related crimes, including appearances at Sexually Violent Predators hearings under Meghan’s Law.  .

New Jersey DUI Update

A recent case in New Jersey establishes that a prior conviction for refusing to give a breath sample after being stopped for suspected DWI is treated as a prior DWI conviction when considered after a subsequent offense. New legislation requires that certain New Jersey offenders have a breath monitoring devise installed in their vehicle after their FIRST DWI.