Author Archives: Jay Butchko
BREAKING LEGAL NEWS: Hobby Lobby and What It Means for Churches and Nonprofits
The Supreme Court recently delivered a decisive, though limited, victory for religious liberty in its decision in Burwell v. Hobby Lobby Stores, Inc. In a 5-4 decision, the Supreme Court held that the Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) contraceptive mandate violates the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA), a statute that was passed… Read More »
Granting Money from a U.S. Charity or Church to a Foreign Individual or NGO: Substantial Risks and Best Practices
Many times, conducting charitable work necessitates broadening an organization’s reach, which often in turn requires working outside of the United States. Unfortunately, while these endeavors are exciting, they are complicated and risky for the churches and nonprofit organizations who are involved. Of the many types of risks involved, one of the primary areas involves… Read More »
Six Common Defenses to DUI and DWI
Driving under the influence (DUI) and driving while intoxicated (DWI) are common charges in Virginia. Many people think that if they are charged with either of these offenses there is no point in defending the charges, but that is not true. A knowledgeable DUI and DWI lawyer can help you craft a persuasive defense… Read More »
The Juvenile Justice Process in Virginia
Depending on the age of the person and the crime and circumstances, some offenses are referred to the juvenile justice system for prosecution. For this purpose, “juveniles” include anyone under the age of 18 at the time of the offense. Some juveniles are transferred to the adult criminal justice system if they are charged… Read More »
Most Common Causes of Reckless Driving Charges
In Virginia reckless driving can be a criminal offense. Reckless driving is usually a misdemeanor charge, though felony reckless driving does exist. The Virginia traffic and criminal codes provide many different sections and kinds of violations that can lead to a reckless driving charge. Some of these behaviors are more common than others and… Read More »
Aggravating Factors for Assault and Battery Penalties in Virginia
Assault and battery are criminal charges in Virginia. Generally, these crimes are charged as misdemeanors; however, there are some factors that may lead to the crimes being charged as felonies. Assault and Battery To understand the circumstances that make assault and battery felonies, it is important to first understand the charges themselves. Assault is… Read More »
New Criminal Laws in Virginia
On July 1, 2016 hundreds of new laws went into effect in Virginia. Some of these laws may affect you so it is important to be aware of the changes. This article highlights some of the new laws, including the changes to criminal law in Virginia. Criminal Law One of the major changes in… Read More »
Marijuana Laws in Virginia
Marijuana laws are changing quickly throughout the country. It is important to stay up to date on the laws in your area so you know how to avoid legal trouble. Marijuana is illegal for the most part in Virginia, but as you will see, the laws are much more complicated than that. The laws… Read More »
Virginia DUI Basics
Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, known as DUI, is a crime and can come with harsh penalties. While DUI is illegal in all states, each state has its own laws. This article looks at Virginia DUI laws and other important DUI-related information. Virginia Law For most drivers, it is illegal to… Read More »
Virginia Domestic Violence Laws and First Offender Program
If you are charged with domestic violence you may be worried about possible penalties. The first thing you should do after you have been charged is to contact a skilled domestic violence attorney to help you defend the charges. If you are convicted, a knowledgeable attorney can also help get you the lowest penalty… Read More »
