While loosened restrictions on marijuana possession in Virginia have left many people breathing a sigh of relief, the changes have not eliminated certain issues associated with marijuana possession charges. A case in point is the fact that Virginia's first offender program is no longer availabl...
In 2018, when the threshold (aka, minimum requirement to be charged) for grand larceny in Virginia jumped from $200 to $500, it was the first increase in the threshold in nearly 40 years. But on July 1 of this year, we saw the threshold amount increase again, this time from $500 to $1000. While t...
For over 80 years, a controversial Virginia law allowed police officers to arrest and jail anyone they designated as a “habitual drunkard.” But as of July 1, this archaic law has been repealed, which will improve the situation of many people who have been living with this label for years. Despite...
Domestic assault charges are some of the most challenging to face in the Commonwealth of Virginia. For one, domestic assault is a serious criminal offense, so it carries heavy penalties and will leave a permanent mark on your criminal record. But what makes this situation even harder is the fac...
A well-known part of every DUI conviction is the suspension of your driver's license for up to a year. While it is possible to get a restricted license where you can travel to and from certain destinations after a first-offense DUI, people with multiple DUI convictions often struggle, as they a...
Being charged with a first offense DUID (driving under the influence of drugs) in the Commonwealth of Virginia carries a variety of harsh penalties, but recent changes to Virginia interlock law have made life a little easier for those facing a first-time DUID. Under the changes, those facing a f...
Drivers across the state are rejoicing about changes to Virginia laws that went into effect this July. The first is a change to the threshold for reckless driving speed, and the second changes the rules when one vehicle is passing another. Below, I'll tell you what you need to know about these ...
Learn about Virginia domestic violence laws and how a criminal lawyer can help.
Learn about changes to Virginia protective order laws effective July 1.
Learn about Virginia DUI law changes effective July 1, 2020.
Learn about new changes to Virginia marijuana possession laws effective July 1, 2020.
Learn about new changes to Virginia criminal laws effective July 1, 2020.
In the face of the Coronavirus outbreak, strict stay-at-home orders have caused family tensions for many people to run high. It is not surprising that Fairfax Police report that during April 2020 alone, they experienced a 26 percent increase in domestic-related calls compared to the previous Apri...
Now that stay-at-home orders have lifted, people across northern Virginia are excited to celebrate Independence Day, but don't forget that it's important to exercise caution if you plan to drink alcohol during the holiday. More than likely, we'll see a rash of DUI arrests during the Fourth of J...
As you likely remember, back in April of this year Governor Ralph Northam signed Virginia HB 972 decriminalizing simple marijuana possession in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Now the Virginia decriminalization date is nearly upon us: effective July 1, simple possession of marijuana will no longe...
If you've ever received a DUI in the Commonwealth of Virginia, you're probably familiar with the Virginia Alcohol Safety Action Program (usually referred to as ASAP). ASAP, which is required if you have been convicted of a DUI, is a series of classes and treatment programs that help people with...
As with all criminal charges, if you are convicted of reckless driving, you will need to disclose (if asked) the conviction in a background check, which means that potential, and sometimes current employers will become aware of it. This leaves many people wondering to what degree can it affect th...
Contrary to what some people think, a reckless driving charge in Virginia is not just an everyday “ticket,” but a serious criminal charge. Unfortunately, many of those who are charged with this crime are surprised to learn of the serious consequences they face after a first offense reckless dri...
After being charged with a DUI, most people want the situation to just be over with so they can move forward with their lives. Unfortunately, a DUI is a criminal offense, which means it will appear on your criminal record. In addition, it will be included on your driving record and show up on b...
A first offense DUI can be an incredibly scary and intimidating experience, but it is important to remember that although it may feel like it at the time, your entire life won't come to an end because of the charge. That said, knowing what to expect after your first DUI can go a long way toward...
When it comes to reckless driving, one of the most common questions I am asked is when speeding crosses the line and becomes a reckless driving charge. Virginia law is very specific about this, and recent bills passed in the House and the Senate may be helpful to drivers, allowing them to avoid...
If you have been charged with a DUI in the Commonwealth of Virginia, it can be overwhelming to learn about the harsh penalties the state imposes for this offense. Since a DUI is a Class 1 misdemeanor, if convicted you will incur a 12 month suspension of your driver's license, expensive fines, e...
If you are charged with reckless driving in Virginia, you can usually expect to be charged with a Class 1 misdemeanor. While the penalties for this charge are not ideal, and include up to a $2500 fine, up to 12 months in jail, and the loss of your driver's license for up to six months, a misdem...
While jail time, expensive fines, and a criminal record are some terrible repercussions after a DUI, for many people the worst part of a conviction is losing their driver's license. While fines can be paid and jail time isn't forever, a license suspension, even for a short period of time, can d...
There is nothing scarier that driving home after a dinner with friends or watching a big game at a sports bar and discovering that you are about to be stopped at a DUI checkpoint. Even if you have had little to drink, Virginia law does not require that your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is ...
It's never to early to start preparing for your case.