Author Archives: Jay Butchko
Submitting to a Virginia Breathalyzer: What You Should Know
When it comes to being pulled over by a police officer, there is a lot of misinformation. Some of it is harmless, but other information can be very dangerous. There is a sense of fear and uncertainty every time a person is pulled over. It is not normal to have one’s freedom limited. We… Read More »
Do Virginia Cops Have Ticket Quotas?
If you have ever seen the police out in force on a holiday or during a special event, you have probably wondered if the police somehow have a requirement to ticket people. Perhaps you were cited for going 5 miles per hour over the speed limit and feel like you got a raw deal…. Read More »
Understanding Virginia Record Expungement
Perhaps you have heard the terms “expunge,” “sealed record,” or “record destruction.” There is a lot of misinformation on the Web. In fact, this is one of the most misunderstood areas of Virginia law. Here is a brief discussion of expungement and how it is applied in Virginia, including Loudoun, Fairfax, Prince William, and… Read More »
Virginia Red Light Cameras: What You Should Know
For over a decade, red light cameras have been an unpleasant reality. They seem to be just about everywhere. Some states allow them; some states do not. Few drivers really take time to know the laws of each state they drive through. So, red light cameras catch millions of drivers every year. The revenue… Read More »
Reasonable Suspicion in a Routine Traffic Stop
Maybe you have been pulled over by the police recently and would like to know your chances of getting the ticket dismissed. Perhaps you were charged with serious moving violations, such as excessive speeding or reckless driving. In Virginia, these can be very serious offenses that carry harsh penalties. No matter what the infraction,… Read More »
Court Says Death Caused by Repeated Use of Police Taser is Excessive Force
A Tenth District Appellate Court decision this month has clarified and highlighted the need for police to exercise caution before relying too heavily on their police-issued tasers. Advocates of non-lethal force have for years moved to increase taser use in law enforcement as a potentially safer way to secure armed and unarmed suspects, thereby… Read More »
Understanding Noise Ordinances
If you live in or around Leesburg, Virginia, you may or may not be aware of some of the very strict noise ordinances that are in place in towns and villages near you. Over the past few years, there have been a number of landmark cases involving the legality of noise ordinances in Virginia… Read More »
Using Caution When Traveling Between D.C., Virginia, and Maryland: Handheld Device Laws are not Always the Same
Many residents of northern Virginia commute to and from the District of Columbia every day, whether for work or other obligations. With border states in such close proximity, Virginia drivers and D.C. drivers often become accustomed to the laws and nuances of their home state and forget to alter their driving behaviors when traveling… Read More »
4 Deadly New Street Drugs that are Gaining Popularity Nationwide
In 1960, there were only a small handful of widely used street drugs. Marijuana, cocaine, psychedelic mushrooms, and LSD were the most reported. However, fast-forward just 56 years and the landscape of illicit drugs becomes far more diverse. Here are just six of the most recent additions to the ever-changing street drug market. Spice/K-2… Read More »
A Look at Increasing DUI Sentences
Over the past 20 years, Americans have seen a significant increase in the harsh penalties for intoxicated drivers. Perhaps this is a necessary move given the thousands of lives lost to drunk drivers. In a January case out of Texas, a judge sentenced Ray Eberhardt, a man convicted of his tenth DUI, to a… Read More »
