Author Archives: Jay Butchko
MINIMIZE CHILD ABUSE- HOW TO DO EXCELLENT BACKGROUND CHECKS FOR CHILD AND FINANCIAL PROTECTION-PART 1
By H. Robert Showers, Esq. Protecting your organization, both from legal liability and from the havoc that one employee or volunteer can create, is a long-term responsibility that requires vigilance and care at every level. This responsibility begins even before you hire an employee or retain a volunteer, as you create questions on your… Read More »
Is Virginia Gun Violence Really Out of Control?
A woman was recently killed and a man was critically injured during a shooting at Virginia Beach, according to The Virginian Pilot. A woman who gave medical assistance to the injured man later told reporters that “It’s unfortunate that these young folks get into these altercations about unnecessary things” because the arguments they get… Read More »
Forensic Science Gone Wrong
Forensic science is any science that is used for legal purposes. While forensic evidence can be used in civil cases, it is most often associated with criminal cases. Both the defendant and the prosecutor can use the unbiased information found through forensic science to support their case. However, forensic science can sometimes be flawed…. Read More »
Animal Abuse
A woman in Stephens City, Virginia was charged with one count of animal cruelty after a video of her kicking three dogs went viral, according to The Northern Virginia Daily. The woman was shown kicking the dogs out of frustration, and only one of the three was her own pet. According to Frederick County… Read More »
The Difference Between a Felony and a Misdemeanor Charge
Misdemeanor and felony are common words heard when crimes are committed, but what exactly is the difference? In the eyes of the law, felonies are always more serious offenses compared to misdemeanors. What is considered a felony or misdemeanor can vary slightly from state to state. Virginia Code 18.2-8 defines a felony as any… Read More »
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 »