Author Archives: Jay Butchko
Virginia Supreme Court Rejects Criminal Discovery Reform
The Virginia Supreme Court recently rejected a major criminal discovery reform proposal that would have provided criminal defendants with much needed procedural protections. The following explains the legal context of this decision and what it may mean for you if you are accused of a crime. The National Epidemic According to the landmark case… Read More »
Holiday Traffic Fatality Concerns See Spike in Enforcement Efforts
Concerns over safety prompted the Commonwealth of Virginia to step up its police presence on the highways over Thanksgiving weekend this year. According to reports, the past year has seen an increase in death tolls on Virginia’s highways. Additionally, the highly publicized dangers of driving Thanksgiving weekend have caused concern as well. Whether the… Read More »
Fiery Crash: a Reminder that Fleeing the Police is Always a Bad Idea
A recent high-speed police chase has led to another tragic death. As is so often the case, this horrific event can be instructive for anyone facing the possibility of arrest. At the outset, we should state unequivocally that fleeing the police is always a bad idea. Not only do you risk greater criminal penalties… Read More »
Reckless Driving Charge in Fatal Crash on U.S. 15
A woman from Madison County was killed while a passenger in a single car accident in Culpepper County, Virginia. The driver of the vehicle lost control while driving south on U.S. Highway 15, running off the left side of the road into a row of cedar trees. The 21-year-old driver was treated for injuries,… Read More »
Semi-Driver Charged with Reckless Driving in I-95 Turnover
The driver of a tractor trailer has been charged with reckless driving after a crash that overturned his trailer and completely blocked all southbound lanes of Interstate 95 in South Richmond, Virginia. The trailer ran off the interstate and hit the left barrier before overturning. Police believe fatigue was a factor. This seems to… Read More »
Virginia Larceny Case Shines Light on Immigration Issues
In February of this year, the Virginia Supreme Court reversed the conviction of an Ethiopian immigrant who has been in the United States since the age of nine. Michael Zemene, whose father obtained asylum in the United States as a political dissident in his home country, became a lawful permanent resident (LPR, more commonly… Read More »
School Principal from North Carolina Facing Felony Charges in Virginia Accident
A North Carolina school principal faces felony charges in the aftermath of an accident involving a minor. In addition to reckless driving, he is charged with fleeing the scene of an accident. Rickey Eley has resigned from his job as principal of Bertie High School in Windsor, NC, according to reports. His attorney claims… Read More »
Legal Lessons from Fatal Police Chase Crash: Part 2
Part one of this post introduced the case of Rakim Kilpatrick, a 25-year-old Richmond man who caused a fatal collision by running a red light during a police chase. That post discussed the offenses that most directly relate to what may generally be considered “traffic offenses.” We explained how a chain of mistakes ultimately… Read More »
Legal Lessons from Fatal Police Chase Crash: Part 1
Man Charged in Fatal Police Chase Crash to Undergo Mental Evaluation A Virginia man facing a variety of charges (including murder) for a police chase that ended in a fatal crash has been ordered to undergo a mental evaluation before he stands trial. Rakim Kilpatrick of Richmond, who has a history of mental issues… Read More »
Virginia Man Facing Serious Jail Time after DUI Manslaughter Conviction
A jury recently recommended an 11-year sentence for a Virginia man after he was convicted of DUI-related homicide. The conviction, for aggravated involuntary manslaughter and leaving the scene of an accident, came after Dwayne Gray Miller plowed his SUV into the side of a tow truck, pinning its driver between the tow truck and… Read More »
