Tag Archives: Criminal Defense Fairfax County
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 »
Collision Involving School Bus, Minor Driver Teaches Lessons in Safe Driving
A recent Virginia bus collision that sent 28 children to the hospital is still being investigated. None of the injuries are life-threatening, but five are described as serious. The cause of the crash is unclear at the moment, but it appears that a 17-year-old driver of a van was leaving Caroline High School and… Read More »
Reckless Driving, Aggressive Driving, and Improper Driving
In Virginia, there three general categories of violations commonly associated with what in other jurisdictions is known simply as reckless driving. These general categories each carry different penalties, and within the categories provided the penalties can be increased or decreased depending on the attendant circumstances. Reckless Driving Unlike many other states, reckless driving is… Read More »
Fighting a DUI in Virginia
If you have been arrested on suspicion of DUI in Virginia, you may have rights and defenses you are unaware of. Below we discuss two common defenses to DUI charges. This is not an exhaustive list, and the facts of your case may be better suited for other defense strategies. Nevertheless these defenses are… Read More »
251 Disposition
Many times we make mistakes; however, these mistakes can be costly, depending on the circumstances. Certain mistakes can lead to criminal charges, fines, jail time, and a wide variety of other consequences that can cost you your freedoms and can impact the rest of your life. However, the Virginia legislature understands that sometimes these… Read More »
Police Entry Into Your Home
Under what circumstances can an officer enter your home? Since the inception of our democracy courts have tried to balance the desire of citizens for privacy in their lives and their property, and the job of police to investigate, to stop crime, and to protect the citizens. The courts have determined that your home… Read More »
The Plain View Doctrine
When an officer enters a home or is conducting a traffic stop and encounters evidence of illegal activity they may seize any contraband or evidence of a crime if it is within the plain view of the officer. This is known as the plain view doctrine. If an officer was present lawfully that contraband… Read More »
