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...
Virginia has legalized marijuana. It can be purchased for recreational use or medical use at licensed dispensaries. In many ways, buying marijuana is now like buying a bottle of wine. Because you can make these legal purchases in Virginia, you may consider buying the...
Sobriety checkpoints are legally controversial. Some people believe that they shouldn’t be used because of the lack of reasonable suspicion. But the law does allow for the use of sobriety checkpoints in Virginia right now. What some of these critics will say, however,...