In March 2021, Virginia lawmakers passed a law that made it illegal for police officers to stop drivers for minor offenses, such as broken taillights. The goal of the law was to reduce racially motivated traffic stops. Since the law passed, the number of traffic stops...
Criminal Defense And Traffic Violations
When do authorities have the right to search your car?
When a law enforcement official pulls your car over in Virginia, he or she may ask for your permission to look around your vehicle. What the law enforcement official may not tell you when making this request is that you may, depending on the situation, maintain the...
Do criminal convictions impact financial aid for college?
Getting into trouble with the law as a college student can put the breaks on getting much-needed financial aid. It typically will depend on the conviction or charges you face. The U.S. Department of Education explains you will need to consider the charge on your...
What to do if an officer stops you for a traffic violation
It is never a good feeling to get pulled over for violating the law while driving. Sometimes, penalties for things such as going a small amount over the speed limit are not extremely harsh, particularly for first-time offenders. Penalties for DUIs, however, can be...
Penalties for DWIs in Virginia
Individuals in Virginia and elsewhere will get behind the wheel of a motor vehicle in a wide range of conditions. Maybe one is ill and took an over-the-counter medication that has drowsy side-effects. It is possible that a person suffered an injury, is on prescribed...
Holiday crackdown leaves drivers vulnerable to tickets and arrest
The holiday season is a time for travel and visiting with family and friends. From late November through New Year’s, a significant number of people take to the roads and drive to their destination. When doing so, it is important to remember that law enforcement tends...
What are the schedules of controlled substances?
Under state and federal law, there are different classes of drugs and, depending on how dangerous and addictive a substance is, it will be in a specific schedule (category) and the control over that particular substance will be regulated more stringently. In Virginia,...
DUI license suspension in Virginia
If you receive a conviction for driving under the influence in Virginia, you could lose your driving privileges. It is important to understand these penalties if you face a court date for a DUI charge. Review the possible license suspension consequences of a DUI...
What if an underage person is charged with drinking and driving?
In Virginia, with the start of a new college semester on the immediate horizon, young people will be heading off to school. With that, there will likely be the temptation to drink alcohol. This is perfectly legal for people 21 and older. However, people who are not...
Marijuana and its affect on driving
Although recreational use of marijuana is not legal in the state, medicinal use is legal for certain medical conditions. However, even if you have your medical marijuana license, it is still illegal to drive while under its influence. Just like there is with alcohol...
