Author Archives: Jay Butchko
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 »
Three Reasons for Extreme Caution When Using Ride-Share Services Like Uber and Lyft
Nationwide, we continue to hear stories about assaults, rapes, and even homicides being committed by rideshare drivers. However, we are also beginning to hear about drivers being assaulted and murdered as well. In Virginia, several key stories have highlighted the problem recently. Recent Virginia Cases On March 19, 2016, a Vienna, Virginia man stole… Read More »
Yale Doctor Performs Wrong Surgery: Wrong-Site Surgeries More Common than You Might Think
Just recently, national headlines shocked Americans by reporting the case of a 60-year-old woman who suffered not one but two instances of medical malpractice in one day. The woman has now filed suit against the physician and hospital, among other defendants, alleging that she went to the hospital that day for surgery to remove… Read More »
Legislature Continues Attempts to Reduce Distracted Driving
According to the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles, 8 out of 10 accidents in the Commonwealth can be attributed, at least in part, to distracted driving. In just the first few months of 2015, distracted driving claimed 68 lives on Virginia roadways. Many residents wonder when enough will be enough and existing laws will… Read More »
Five Practical Tips When Arrested by the Police
When you are placed under arrest, it means your rights are being taken away temporarily. For those who have never endured it, there can be shock, confusion, fear, and indignation at being restrained against your will and forced into compliance. While the process has a very good purpose in society, it can leave a… Read More »
The Right to Remain Silent: What it is and How to Use it
All Americans have certain rights protected under the U.S. Constitution. These rights apply to everyone, regardless of what state they live in. States also have constitutions. In some instances, those state constitutions even offer added protections. One of the most common protections people are aware of is the “right to remain silent.” This protection… Read More »
