LYNCHBURG CRIMINAL DEFENSE BLOG
Eyewitnesses are often wrong
One of the biggest issues with the criminal justice system is that it’s dangerous to trust witnesses. They may think they know what happened, they may believe they know what they saw, and they may offer a testimony to the jury that is incredibly compelling. However,...
Virginia men face harsh possible sentences after drug arrests
If you drive about three hours due east of Lynchburg, you find yourself staring at Windsor Castle. No, not the enormous stone palace that is home to the UK’s royal family, but rather the much smaller, much more modest historic home in Toano, Virginia. Three men at a...
Virginia ranks 37th in nation in DUI arrest rates
A TV station about two hours east of Lynchburg recently reported that Virginia’s drunk driving arrest rate ranks 37th in the nation. Our rate of arrests for driving under the influence of alcohol was 253.4 per 100,000 residents. The national average is 330 DUI arrests...
Virginia man arrested after undercover drug investigation
It is about a two-hour drive southwest of Lynchburg to get to Henry County. The sheriff’s office there recently announced that it had made an arrest after conducting an undercover drug investigation. A 31-year-old Collinsville man has been arrested and charged with...
Thanksgiving tradition: Lynchburg’s increased DUI patrols
Just try to find someone who doesn’t like Thanksgiving. It’s virtually impossible to find someone who doesn’t enjoy warm gatherings of friends and family filled with laughter, love and good food. However, the fun can come to a sudden halt when a Lynchburg police car...
Is carrying a concealed weapon legal in Virginia?
The Second Amendment gives citizens the right to keep and bear arms. However, there are some limitations and exceptions to this rule. If you wish to own a firearm, you need to obey specific federal and state laws. Virginia allows you to carry a concealed weapon in...
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...
