Commonwealth v. Dumont

TAMILIA, Judge:

These cases require us to consider various issues pertaining to convictions for gambling devices and criminal conspiracy regarding video poker machines located at different establishments in the city of Pittsburgh.

Initially, and of primary importance, we must determine whether discovery of the fact that a video poker machine is equipped with a “knock-off” switch provided probable cause to warrant its seizure as a gambling device per se, and if answered in the affirmative, whether a judge of the Pittsburgh magistrates court is authorized to issue a search warrant as process…