Monthly Archives: June 2017
Litigation Issues for Church Property Ownership
By Daniel J. Hebda, Esq. Among the many amazing assets and tools with which Churches are equipped, the real property on which they worship, train, minister, and serve has to rank near the top of the list. Owning a piece of land brings invaluable security and stability to a ministry and those church properties… Read More »
Virginia Witnesses
You might be under the impression, like most people, that anyone can be a witness in a criminal case, and that all witnesses and what they have to say is treated equally. However, depending on who the witness is, their age, and other factors, that may not be the case. Unfortunately, some courts permit… Read More »
Virginia Abduction, Kidnapping, and Hostage Defense
In 2015, there were 1,299 kidnappings, abductions, and hostage situations, involving 1,484 victims, according to the Uniform Reporting Crime Section. Legally, kidnapping and abduction are the same. Abduction/kidnapping is a serious felony in Virginia, and can also be punished as a federal crime. Similarly, taking a hostage falls under Virginia’s abduction and kidnapping statute… Read More »
Illegal Impersonation
A Virginia Beach woman was recently arrested for impersonating a police officer in an effort to purchase prescription painkillers. The 24-year-old defendant allegedly told pharmacists that she was a police officer, supposedly with the hope that that identity carried extra persuasion to procure the narcotics without a prescription. However, she was not in police… Read More »
Obscure Weapons Offenses
Whenever a deadly weapon is either used or brought along during the commission of a crime, the penalties are inevitably upscaled. However, many Virginians may not realize that the use or display of certain weapons in and of itself can bring a criminal charge that results in a heavy fine and lengthy jail or… Read More »
State Crime Commission To Study Decriminalization of Marijuana
The Virginia State Crime Commission, which is made up of citizens and state lawmakers, will soon begin a study looking at the pros and cons of decriminalizing marijuana, and will later give its report to the General Assembly. This report could be the beginning process of a 2018 bill that would present changes to… Read More »
4 Items That Need to Be on Your Nonprofit or Church’s Mid-Year To-Do List
By Mike Grubbs, Esq. and Robert Showers, Esq. Review your budget and financial controls For churches and nonprofits on a calendar-year budget cycle, mid-year is the perfect time to consider a mid-year budget adjustment. Collect all expenses and donations and other revenue for January – June, and, in early July, project out for the… Read More »
Illegal Gambling
Gambling laws vary widely from state to state. Virginia’s gambling laws are strict, and very little gambling is permitted in any form. The exceptions include horse racing in licensed arenas and off-track licensed venues, as well as gambling set up by nonprofit organizations, such as raffles or bingo. Playing the lottery, of course, is… Read More »
Possible Expansion of State DNA Database
House Bill 711, sponsored by House Minority Leader David. J Toscano, D-Charlottesville, seeks to address the pros and cons of increasing the range of misdemeanors to be included in the state’s DNA database. The bill would enlist the assistance of the Virginia Crime Commission to examine existing data from other states that have already… Read More »
