LYNCHBURG CRIMINAL DEFENSE BLOG
When do you need a firearm permit in Virginia?
For most adults, owning a firearm is a basic constitutional right. However, states around the country have placed certain rules or restrictions on the ownership, use and carrying of certain firearms. A common rule involves the requirement to secure a permit for the...
Am I free to go? (What to know when dealing with a police stop)
One of the most important questions that you can ask a police officer who has stopped you is whether or not you are free to go. Their answer helps dictate where the conversation is going to go, as well. If the police are detaining you or arresting you, they have to...
Is marijuana addictive?
With many drug crimes, the root of the problem is actually a medical condition known as addiction. Someone who gets hooked on painkillers may know that it’s illegal to keep buying them and abusing them, but they can’t stop without medical intervention, no matter how...
Threatening to expose someone unless you get money is a crime
Someone you know or work with did something illegal or deeply unethical, and you were either a witness or somehow wound up with evidence of what occurred. Most people in this situation will do the right thing and go to the police with the evidence they have or to...
College crime: Talk to your student to keep them out of trouble
There are dozens of crimes that college students may commit knowingly or unknowingly. As a parent who has a college-aged child, it may worry you that they will get in over their head and end up causing serious damage to their reputation. A charge and conviction during...
Understanding drug crimes and associated charges in Virginia
Allegations of drug crimes can cause significant problems for people in Virginia. The mere act of drug possession can result in a variety of penalties. There are, however, different categories of drug possession. For example, if a person has a relatively small amount...
Can you legally drive with your gun in your vehicle in Virginia?
Firearms of all styles are very popular in Virginia, just as in many other states, but not everyone who owns a firearm truly understands the rules that apply to their use, ownership and transportation. You may have no hostile intentions whatsoever, but you could still...
Remember what to do if you’re arrested for a DUI
A DUI arrest is serious business. You could face heavy fines and even be placed in jail. The good news is that knowing what to do if you’re stopped can help you protect yourself and may help you prevent serious consequences from the DUI charges. Initially, during the...
What are police interrogation tactics and your rights?
Every Virginian has seen it at least once in movies or TV shows: Police arrest a suspect, read them their Miranda rights and later take them to a tiny, windowless room down at the station for a lengthy interrogation. When you’re suspected of a felony, the situation...
Physical evidence isn’t as conclusive as people think it is
When you find out that the state of Virginia intends to charge you with a crime, it is common to feel panicked. After all, prosecutors typically don't move forward with criminal charges unless they already believe they can likely win the case in court. When you know...
