Harrisonburg Virginia Legal Blog
Drunk driving penalties in Virginia
Drunk driving laws are enforced strictly in Virginia. Motorists are considered too impaired to operate a motor vehicle safely when they have blood alcohol concentrations of .08 or higher, but DUI charges can also be filed against drivers with no alcohol in their...
Official misconduct identified in wrongful convictions
A study conducted by the National Registry of Exonerations uncovered a disturbing trend relating to the cases of individuals wrongfully convicted of a crime that landed them time in prison. The study focused on determining the role prosecutors and police officers...
What to know about recording the police
Generally speaking, you are allowed to record police in Virginia while they are carrying out their official duties. However, there is a chance that your phone or camera could be confiscated if it contains evidence of a crime or if you are being taken into custody...
Why women are more likely to initiate divorce than men
In recent years, women have started initiating divorce more frequently than men. In fact, studies have shown that nearly 70% of divorces are initiated by women. Decades ago, women were largely reliant on their husbands; women now have more freedom than ever, which...
Financial considerations before and during a Virginia divorce
There are many things that can cause a marriage to fail, and these issues often pop up in the divorce. The decision to end a marriage is usually a difficult one, but the process of divorce itself can be even more complicated. Finances can impact marriage and divorce...
Virginia Senate passes new reckless driving legislation
The Virginia Senate passed an amendment to the current state statute that raises the reckless driving threshold from 80 to 85 mph. The bill, passed by a 25-14 vote, would amend the Virginia Code to read that reckless drivers are defined by driving at least 20 mph over...
Can child support undergo modifications after a job loss
Responsible parents often work their budgets so that they can make timely child support payments. Unfortunately, economic factors may cause budgetary problems that affect many areas of a parent's life. Job losses in Virginia and subsequent unemployment could impact a...
Man pleads guilty to manslaughter, DUI in Virginia
A 37-year-old Virginia man pleaded guilty to aggravated involuntary manslaughter in connection with a March 2020 car accident. He also pleaded guilty to a charge of DUI for the same incident. According to media reports, the man and a 38-year-old male passenger were...
Lack of legal system diversity can hurt criminal defense cases
Many people of color accused of crimes in Virginia and throughout the United States have felt that the justice system has been stacked against them. Two recent studies of the nation's justice system have found that the racial demographics show a mammoth disparity...
Calculating Social Security benefits after divorce
Many retirees in Virginia rely on Social Security payments for at least a portion of their income, so it's important that they know how much money they should be receiving. Divorcees who were married for at least 10 years may be entitled to a portion of their...
