The police have several methods to confirm whether a driver is drunk. The police may begin by questioning whether a driver had been drinking. They may even ask drivers to perform physical exercises called field sobriety tests to help the police spot signs of...
Virginia regulates open alcohol containers in motor vehicles. Knowing the law is necessary to avoid breaking it and reducing the likelihood of criminal charges. Here, you can learn the specifics of Virginia's open container law. Virginia's open container law The open...
Driving under the influence (DUI) is a serious offense in Virginia, and law enforcement utilizes various tools to enforce DUI laws. One such tool is the K9 unit, a specially trained dog and handler team. When exactly can the police use a K9 during a vehicle search at...
Getting caught with illegal drugs can be a frightening experience. The legal repercussions can vary greatly depending on whether you're charged with possession or trafficking. Virginia honors clear distinctions between drug possession and drug trafficking. While both...
Evidence is the most important aspect of any criminal case. The police obtain evidence for the prosecution that aims to prove the defendant’s guilt beyond reasonable doubt, and the defense looks to create reasonable doubt by showing flaws in the evidence. Despite...
There are numerous rules that limit the conduct of police officers. For example, the Fourth Amendment protects people from unreasonable searches of their property, and the courts have ruled on many cases clarifying what constitutes a reasonable search. For example,...
If you break the law while attending college, you may be worried that it’s going to hinder your academic career. After all, that education was a building block toward your eventual career in the workforce, and now all the plans that you’ve made could be derailed. Are...
Motorists who have driven for years sometimes no longer recall the details of Virginia traffic statutes. They might then make mistakes during an interaction with the police officer that could increase their risk of criminal prosecution. There are very clear...
It’s easy to assume that you’re definitely going to be convicted on drunk driving allegations if the police give you a breath test. This test will provide scientific proof that you are over the legal limit. As such, you assume you will be convicted in court. Don’t...
An arrest does not automatically lead to criminal consequences. The state needs to prove that someone actually broke the law. That process typically involves formal arraignment or indictment, followed by a trial if the defendant pleads guilty. Prosecutors bringing...