Whether you are a state employee or you work for a company that contracts with the federal government, you may require security clearance to do your job. A review of your professional and educational history, as well as any criminal activity, will determine if you...
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Criminal Defense
Restoring gun rights in Virginia after a felony conviction
A felony condition continues to limit your freedom even after your prison sentence and parole terms end. For one thing, having a felony on your record, even a non-violent one, costs you your right to own or possess firearms in Virginia. For hunters, people who enjoy...
What happens if I receive a DWI vacationing outside of Virginia?
For many people, alcohol and vacation go hand in hand. Your plan is to spend the week at the beach enjoying cocktails or maybe to throw back some beers while attending an out-of-town tournament featuring your favorite sports team. Unfortunately, people may go a bit...
Expungement: Why it pays to start the process early
Seeking an expungement of your criminal record can help you change your life. Having a criminal history open to the public can make it harder to get a job and find housing. It essentially takes away some of your rights, and you continue to be haunted by your past. The...
How will my criminal conviction affect my security clearance?
Whether you are a servicemember in a branch of the United States military, a defense contractor or an employee of the federal government, you may have had to undergo the process of obtaining security clearance before you could begin your employment. Depending on the...
Is it worth going to court over a speeding ticket?
Most people, at one time or another, will end up with a speeding ticket. They might have been in a rush to get to work or pick up their child, to head to the hospital in an emergency or just not paying attention to their speed. Whatever the reason is, if you’re...
How Virginia law sets people up to lose their property to police
When a police officer pulls you over for a traffic stop in Virginia, you probably expect temporary inconvenience and maybe a ticket. What you might not realize is that if the stop goes poorly, the officer could arrest you and possibly take your vehicle. Civil asset...
If your child faces charges, it’s time to fight against harsh penalties
Being the parent of a child who gets into trouble with the law is not easy. You have to weigh the potential benefit of your child being punished for violating the law with the risk of their future being ruined because of it. It is essential that you work with a...
When could you get charged with reckless driving in Virginia?
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...
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...
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