In Virginia, it is against the law to operate a motor vehicle while under the influence of a mind-altering substance. People get arrested daily because they have too much to drink before they drive. Others get arrested based on accusations of drugged driving. Those...
The police cannot charge someone on a whim. To do so, they first need compelling evidence that amounts to probable cause. Unless the police have directly witnessed a crime, they usually need to conduct an investigation. This is the process of assessing the facts they...
Your child calling to inform you they got arrested can be disappointing. What can you do to protect them? How you handle your child's arrest can substantially affect them. You want to make informed decisions. Here is what to consider doing when your child tells you...
Possession with intent to sell is a serious drug charge that goes beyond simple possession. It implies the drugs were not for personal consumption, and you intended to distribute them for financial benefit. Here are the elements of possession with intent to sell...
A drunk driving offense in Virginia can lead to a number of different significant penalties. The courts can send someone to jail and order them to pay fines if they plead guilty. Frequently, a driver's license suspension follows a driving under the influence (DUI)...
Anyone who’s watched true crime shows has likely heard a person being Mirandized. This means that a police officer has read the person in question their Miranda rights. These rights are based on a case that was heard by the United States Supreme Court. That case...
One of the most challenging aspects of facing a criminal charge is trying to determine what sentence is possible if you’re convicted. This isn’t always easy to determine, and some criminal cases can take a long time to work through the court system to the final...
It is very common for police officers to ask people questions while detaining them. For example, an officer may pull someone over for speeding. But instead of just giving them a ticket, the officer may ask them if they know how fast they were going or where they were...
If you’re ever faced with questioning by law enforcement, know that the experience can vary significantly depending on whether you are dealing with local police officers or federal agents employed by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Most of the time, local...
Juvenile sex offenders are individuals under the age of 18 convicted of a sex crime. In Virginia, the juvenile justice system manages these cases differently than adult sex offenders, focusing more on restoration and less on punishment. Juvenile or adult court: 3...