Most traffic offenses are civil infractions. That means that while you did break the law, the only real repercussion is a citation or traffic ticket. Once you pay the ticket, other than points on your license and potentially increased insurance costs, you won't...
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Study finds some psychology tests used in court may be invalid
People in Virginia who are facing felony charges might be required to take IQ or psychology tests that are not well-regarded by psychologists. According to a study that appeared in "Psychological Science in the Public Interest," around 33% of tests used by courts did...
Paper offers suggestions for reducing implicit bias
Attorneys and judges in Virginia might be able to reduce the likelihood that jurors will return verdicts based on implicit racial bias by discussing the phenomenon openly. This was one of the conclusions of a paper written by an Arizona assistant federal public...
Lawsuit shows tainted evidence may lead to false allegations
When a person is arrested in Virginia, evidence is a key factor in the case. This is true for relatively minor crimes like marijuana possession and for major crimes like murder. During an investigation, law enforcement is required to adhere to certain protocol in...
Drugs and weapons seized during Virginia narcotics sweep
A multi-agency narcotics operation in Virginia on Jan. 22 resulted in five individuals being taken into custody and the seizure of guns and illegal drugs according to the Amelia County Sheriff's Office. All five suspects were being detained at the Piedmont Regional...
Evidence may be considered hearsay
In-court testimony that includes statements made outside of court may be considered hearsay. Generally speaking, hearsay evidence is not admitted in cases that take place in Virginia or other states. However, there are scenarios in which it may be allowed to be heard...
What does a burglary charge mean?
Burglary charges are serious criminal charges that accused individuals should not take lightly. Burglary charges are not taken lightly by the criminal justice system and can result in serious and life-changing potential penalties and consequences for accused...
What is considered domestic violence?
When people hear "domestic violence," they often conjure images of physical violence. While physical violence certainly can constitute domestic violence, the definition of domestic violence is much broader. This means that those who find themselves embroiled in a...
The basics of juvenile crimes and what to do if charged
Juvenile crimes are important to understand because there is a lot on the line for young people who have been accused of committing a crime. Offenses committed by juveniles are treated somewhat differently than offenses committed by adults, so it is helpful to know...
What is a sex offender registry?
A concern that accused individuals facing sex crimes charges may have is if they will have to register with a sex offender registry and what that means. Anyone facing sex crimes charges should understand what a sex offender registry is and the potential impacts of sex...
