In The Press : Miscellaneous Cases
Haven DJ Waives Hearing
The Republican Herald
Wednesday January 09, 2008
By Peter E. Bortner
Staff Writer
“He chose to waive his hearing and opportunity to challenge the charges for today’s purposes. It’s not a waiver of all future rights to challenge the evidence,” said Shawn M. Curry, Harrisburg, Deane’s attorney.
The Schuylkill Haven disc jockey charged with using the Internet to try to solicit sex from a child will face Schuylkill County Court action after waiving his right to a preliminary hearing on Tuesday.
Wearing handcuffs and leg shackles, Michael J. Deane, 46, of 147 Haven St., decided not to have a hearing on four charges of unlawful contact with a minor and criminal use of a communication facility.
“He chose to waive his hearing and opportunity to challenge the charges for today’s purposes. It’s not a waiver of all future rights to challenge the evidence,” said Shawn M. Curry, Harrisburg, Deane’s attorney.
Magisterial District Judge James R. Ferrier bound over all charges for court, although he changed Deane’s bail from $75,000 straight cash to $75,000 percentage cash. Deane has been in Schuylkill County Prison in lieu of bail since being arrested Dec. 14.
While that change would permit Deane to go free before trial by posting $7,500 cash, Ferrier also attached other conditions to the bail, including barring Deane from:
- Contact with minor children
- Use of computer Internet connections
- Entrance to victim’s residence, household or place of employment
- Further criminal contact with victim
- Entrance to his residence
- Ferrier said Deane would be allowed to live at a Northumberland County address if he posts bail
- Contact with family at the Schuylkill Haven home, work or school.
Deane did not immediately post bail, and special agents from the state attorney general’s office led him back to prison after the hearing.
Agents with the child predator unit of the state attorney general’s office filed the charges against Deane over his alleged attempts to sexually proposition someone he believed to be a 14-year-old girl — but who was actually an undercover agent.
“He was engaging in online chats with (a special agent),” said Deputy Attorney General Michael A. Sprow, who is prosecuting the case. “The IP information from the computer led back to his address. When he was arrested, he admitted it was him.”
Using the screen name “just7foryou” while online with the agent, Deane made contact once on July 18, twice on Aug. 20 and once on Sept. 19, according to prosecutors. The online chats included Deane making indecent proposals and asking the agent to watch adult Web sites and videos.
Each of the five crimes Deane is charged with committing is a third-degree felony punishable by up to seven years in prison and a $15,000 fine.
Testimonials
Justin McShane is a highly knowledgeable and effective attorney in the area of DUI defense. I am extremely impressed with his ability to recall and provide critical scientific literature references needed to document the faults in the state’s testing of DUI suspects. He is a pleasure to work with and I highly recommend as the best DUI defense attorney in his part of the country.
- Alfred Staubus, President, A & A Consultants, Inc.
[Attorney McShane] has always been there for me. Returning my calls in a timely manner. Reassuring me; keep my hopes up. […] I just want you to know that I am thankful for everything you have done for me and i know you will continue in your diligence regarding what I face in the future. I have the utmost confidence in you and the resources of your firm.
- J.D., Harrisburg
Justin is one of the most knowledgable and aggressive DWI/DUI defense attorneys I know. He shares his experiences willingly, and I look forward to each nugget. If you are lucky enough to have Justin as your attorney, you have a tireless champion on your side.
- Attorney Robert Baska, Partner, Baska & Favata
Click here for What Everyone Should Know about DUI
Click here for the Top 10 DUI mistakes (and how to avoid them)
Click here for the Top 10 things NOT to do if you're arrested
Your DUI Attorney Choice By the Numbers
- Number of attorneys in the world
- 1,600,000
- Of those, the number of attorneys in the US
- 1,250,000
- Of those, the number of attorneys in Pennsylvania
- 43,000
- Of those, members of the National Association Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL)
- 204
- Of those, members of the Pennsylvania Association Criminal Defense Lawyers (PACDL)
- 101
- Of those, members of National College for DUI Defense
- 13
(of which we are 4) - Of those, who received training as Instructors in Standard Field Sobriety Testing as recognized by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
- 5
(of which we are 4) - Of those, who are a Certified Breath Alcohol Test Technician as recognized by the Department of Transportation
- 5
(of which we are 4) - Of those, who received training in Drugs that Impair Driving (Drug Recognition Expert training) as recognized by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
- 5
(of which we are 4) - Of those, who is certified as a Phlebotomist (drawing and analysis of blood samples)
- 2
(of which Attorney McShane is one) - Of those, who is a 2-time graduate and case presenter at the National Forensic Blood and Urine Seminar?
- 1 - Attorney McShane