Virginia refers to DUI as DWI, or driving while intoxicated, which also includes narcotics. A driver in Blacksburg, Virginia, could get charged with DWI if they register .08% when tested with a breathalyzer. If a driver is subjected to a breathalyzer test and they...
Criminal Defense
Factors involved in receiving a reduced sentence
Prison inmates with hopes of getting their sentence reduced for possessing crack cocaine may not appreciate a ruling by the Supreme Court. The First Step Act provided for changes across the board that affects the criminal justice system. Virginia inmates may wonder...
What it means to have an open container in your car
If a Virginia police officer spots an open container of alcohol in your vehicle, you may be charged with a misdemeanor. This may be true even if you aren't charged with driving under the influence of alcohol. Additional penalties may apply if an officer believes that...
Can eyewitness testimony be challenged?
The wide use of dramatic scenes involving eyewitnesses in crime dramas on the big screen, on television and on streaming programs justifiably leads a good number of people to believe that this type of testimony is vital, perhaps even incontrovertible. The reality is...
Your rights when dealing with police questioning at school
Police tend to be present on Virginia college campuses to help enforce the public safety of students and staff members. If you're stopped by a police officer for questioning, you'll want to know about your rights. You can remain silent The rights you have while being...
Virginia set to abolish death penalty
Stake lawmakers have voted on a bill that will make Virginia the first state in the South to abolish the death penalty. Once the Virginia governor signs the bill, the law will go into effect. The state will be the 23rd state to remove the death penalty. Virginia was...
Why must a suspect invoke the right to remain silent?
Individuals placed under arrest in Virginia may find themselves upset, scared and nervous. Such anxiety may lead them to make mistakes, such as not paying attention to their Miranda rights. One such right centers on the right to remain silent. To continue talking...
What happens to passengers at the scene of a DUI arrest?
When a person is suspected of driving drunk in Virginia, police will pull them over and conduct a DUI investigation. Typically, the driver is then arrested at the scene of the incident and transported to the police station. But what happens if there was another person...
What are Virginia’s DUI penalties?
The state of Virginia assigns harsh repercussions toward those convicted of driving under the influence. Even first-time offenders may face unexpectedly strict penalties, and repeat offenders could look at significant jail time. Persons charged with a drunk or drugged...
8 people have been indicted on prison-related charges
In October 2020, a Virginia court issued 36 indictments against 35 individuals for several charges. Among these people were three prison employees and five other individuals who have been accused of having sex with inmates and bringing drugs into the prisons. The...