Author Archives: Jay Butchko
Drug Crime Penalties in Virginia
If you are charged with a drug crime in Virginia, the penalties can be very harsh. Virginia mirrors federal law in that it divides drugs into “schedules” based on the level of addictiveness and the amount of legitimate medical uses the drugs have. Schedule I drugs are the most addictive and have the most… Read More »
Virginia Sex Offender Registry Basics
If you are found guilty of certain sex crimes in Virginia, you may be required to register with the Virginia State Police and your name will be included in the Virginia Sex Offender Registry. Being included on the Virginia Sex Offender Registry means that your inclusion, and some details of your convictions, are searchable… Read More »
What To Do If You Are Arrested For A Drug Crime In Virginia
If you are arrested and charged with a drug crime in Virginia, it is important that you know your rights and how to protect them. Virginia has very tough drug crime laws and you do not want to do anything that will interfere with your defense later. This article discusses some of the things… Read More »
Reckless Driving Defenses in Virginia
If you are charged with reckless driving in Virginia, it does not mean that you will automatically be convicted. It is up to the Commonwealth of Virginia to prove that all of the elements of the specific kind of reckless driving charged have been met. There are many defenses to reckless driving, and a… Read More »
Virginia Police Using New Technology to Predict Crimes
It sounds like something out of a science fiction movie: police departments able to predict when and where crimes are going to happen before they are even committed. However, it is not fiction; it is reality for Virginia police departments. According to a CBS News affiliate, Suffolk Police Department is using this technology to… Read More »
Virginia Drug Laws
Virginia is known for having harsh drug laws. In Virginia, as in many other states, drugs are divided into “schedules,” with the charges and penalties based on which schedule the drugs are in. This article gives a brief overview of Virginia’s drug laws including what schedule each drug is in, and what crimes you… Read More »
Wired Worship: Is Your Church Ready to Make Wi-Fi Available to the Congregation?
The availability of free wireless internet (“Wi-Fi”) is rapidly expanding, with free Wi-Fi available in coffee shops, parks, and libraries. Many churches want to add their campus to the growing list of “hotspots” (locations where free Wi-Fi is available) in the community, as both a friendly gesture to their congregations and as an aid to their ministries. However, before a… Read More »
The Affordable Care Act’s Employer Mandate & How It Impacts Nonprofits and Small Businesses
Over the past two years, a recurring theme in legal news has been the current Administration’s changes to, interpretations of, and delays in implementing President Obama’s flagship Affordable Care Act (“ACA”) otherwise known as “Obamacare.” This law has wide-reaching implications for many industries across the United States and impacts each individual American’s private life. Two of… Read More »
Is Social Media Helping or Hurting Your Church?
Social media has become the new popular form of communication in the 21st Century. In 2013, 70 percent of churches have a Facebook account and 21 percent use Twitter. The proper use of social media can be a great benefit to your church by providing information to your membership and furthering your involvement in… Read More »
Firm Obtains $98K Jury Award for Race-Based Harassment
Simms Showers attorney Timothy Bosson filed a case in the Loudoun County Circuit Court, seeking recovery for a client who had been subjected to race discrimination and malicious prosecution. A jury awarded damages of over $98,000 after a four-day trial. This case was brought under a little-used Virginia Statute that allows individuals to bring… Read More »
