Guilty Until Proven Innocent: Pennsylvania Post-Conviction Relief Act

In this review of Guilty Until Proven Innocent, the reviewer finds a focused, practical resource for Pennsylvania criminal practitioners and judges; its single biggest reason to buy is the book's thorough, case law-grounded guidance on post-conviction relief that saves research time and reduces procedural uncertainty. Updated and revised for 2014, this guide reads like a working reference rather than a theoretical textbook, and it is especially useful when a practitioner or judge needs clear annotated commentary on rules, statute language, and ready-to-adapt sample documents.

Key Features

• Comprehensive case discussion: Detailed citation to Pennsylvania case law helps clarify how courts have interpreted post-conviction issues.
• Annotated procedural rules: The book annotates applicable rules of criminal procedure so readers can quickly find the procedural basis for relief.
• Statute guidance: The governing statute is explained and contextualized, reducing guesswork about statutory requirements and timing.
• Practical samples: Included sample forms and pleadings give practitioners and judges templates to adapt for actual filings.
• Revised edition: The 2014 update consolidates changes and recent authorities up to that date, making it more current than earlier editions.

Who It's For

This guide is aimed squarely at Pennsylvania criminal defense attorneys, appellate practitioners, and trial judges who handle post-conviction petitions and need a single-volume reference that combines statute, rules, and case law. It is also useful for law clerks and public defenders who draft petitions and need practical samples.

Those seeking a general criminal law treatise or materials covering jurisdictions beyond Pennsylvania should look elsewhere; the book is narrowly focused on the Pennsylvania Post-Conviction Relief Act and presumes familiarity with basic criminal procedure concepts.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Consolidates statute, rules, and Pennsylvania case citations into one accessible reference.
• Annotated comments clarify application of procedural rules, helping reduce filing errors.
• Sample pleadings and forms accelerate drafting and courtroom preparation.
• The 2014 revision updates authorities and practice notes compared with prior editions.

Cons

• Limited to Pennsylvania law and the 2014 revision, so more recent developments after 2014 will not be covered.

Specifications

Title	Guilty Until Proven Innocent: A Practitioner's and Judge's Guide to the Pennsylvania Post-Conviction Relief Act
Author / Brand	J. Andrew Salemme
Edition	Updated and revised for 2014
Primary subject	Pennsylvania Post-Conviction Relief Act practice
Intended audience	Criminal practitioners and judges
Includes	Case law discussion, annotated rules, governing statute commentary, sample documents

Our Verdict

For Pennsylvania criminal lawyers and judges who handle post-conviction matters, this guide is a practical, time-saving investment that brings together statute, rules, and case law with useful sample pleadings. Although it reflects law through 2014 and users should supplement it for later developments, its focused coverage and annotated guidance make it good value for courtroom practice and petition drafting.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this book specific to Pennsylvania?
Yes; the guide concentrates on the Pennsylvania Post-Conviction Relief Act and related state case law and rules.

Does it include sample pleadings?
Yes; the book contains valuable sample documents and pleadings designed for practitioner and judicial use.

How current is the material?
The edition is updated and revised for 2014, so readers should check for subsequent case law or statutory changes after 2014.