LYNCHBURG CRIMINAL DEFENSE BLOG
What is a wet reckless driving charge?
The penalties for driving while intoxicated (DWI) can seriously affect your life. You may not be able to drive for up to a year and pay fines to reinstate your license. The effect of these charges is enough for many drivers to negotiate a plea deal. Many states have a...
Voting rights can depend on a legal “wobble”
Most people think of felonies simply as more serious than misdemeanors, and with higher fines and more jail time for the convicted. There is some truth in this. But it is sometimes hard to tell felonies from misdemeanors looking only at the seriousness of the alleged...
Can Virginia police force you to unlock your phone?
If you are arrested and police ask you to unlock your phone, can you refuse? Do they need a search warrant? What are your rights to privacy when it comes to your phone? Do your rights to privacy include your phone? It is no exaggeration to say that our lives are on...
FBI data: Nationwide, marijuana arrests were actually up last year
Considering that over half of the states have legalized marijuana for at least medical purposes, you might expect that the overall rate of marijuana-related arrests would go down. At least, you would assume that, with so many states no longer enforcing laws against...
Marijuana Breathalyzers promised in 2020
Breathalyzers are one of the most common tools law enforcement uses to determine whether a driver has a blood alcohol content above the legal limit of .08%. Testing for marijuana, however, has been a challenge because the drug stays in the body for up to a month after...
College students should avoid using fake IDs
There are several things that a college student can do that are rather harmless. Staying up too late with friends and missing an occasional class usually aren’t big deals. College is for learning both inside and outside of the classroom. Mistakes are sometimes the...
What is stalking in Virginia?
College is a great time to discover yourself and make new friends. You may even take a romantic liking to someone and try to get their attention. While this is generally harmless, it’s possible for that person to consider your actions stalking. You may not intend to...
Who can carry a knife in Virginia?
People carry knives for many reasons. Some use knives for fishing, hunting, work, and even hobbies. Chances are that you use a knife for something in your life, but do you know the laws surrounding them? The law classifies knives as weapons, which means that illegally...
Progress slows for Virginia justice reform
Recent years have brought major strides forward for the rights of Virginians accused of crimes. They have also brought setbacks and delays, concerning advocates for the rights of defendants. For example, this year prosecutors were supposed to begin sharing much more...
Make your record reflect your innocence with a clean slate
College is all about new experiences. But sometimes things get a little rowdy, and someone calls the police. They’re looking to contain things, and they do it by casting a wide net. Before you know it, the police arrest you for being in the wrong place at the wrong...
