In Virginia as well as throughout the United States, our legal system – in theory – is set up so that a person charged with a crime is innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. Theory or not, this legal principle – foundational to our legal system – is lost on persons arrested for d...
Like all things in life, how long you are held in a Virginia jail after a DUI arrest depends on the circumstances and severity of the alleged DUI or DUI-related offense. Here's an overview of how long you can expect to spend in jail directly after a DUI arrest but before a conviction is rendered....
Being charged with a crime in the D.C. and Virginia metro area, regardless of whether it is a driving under the influence (DUI) offense or another type of crime, is scary. The prospects of going to trial and being convicted are scarier. That's why, when a defendant is offered a plea deal by the p...
The sirens light up the night sky. You do as you are supposed to and pull over. You show your driver license and your insurance and you think all is good. But then something happens. Maybe you admit to having a drink earlier in the day. Maybe the officer suspects your bloodshot eyes are the resul...
Here's a common scenario for you... You were out with friends and had more to drink than you anticipated. At first, though, you thought you were capable of driving, but then soon realize it is not a good idea. So, you pull over -- thinking you are doing the right thing -- and decide to rest for a...
For many young adults, college is their first time away from home and their parent's watchful eyes. One reckless mistake or even being in the wrong place at the wrong time can lead to drug-related charges. Although these charges may seem minor, a conviction can have long-lasting consequences on t...
Social media is a popular way to stay in touch with family and friends. However, some of your posts can land you in jail, even if you thought they were a joke. These are four things you should never post on social media. Anything Gang Related Posting anything gang related on your social media a...
With the rise of digital technology, text messages are an increasingly popular way to communicate. Texting creates a written record of your communications, and, if you discuss illegal activity, these may be used against you in court. The Supreme Court of the United States and the Court of Appeals...
In most situations, law enforcement officers in Virginia need probable cause to stop your vehicle for Driving Under the Influence (DUI). Virginia law allows law enforcement agencies to use DUI checkpoints to catch intoxicated drivers, but law enforcement agencies using this procedure to reduce th...
In Virginia, your vehicle has fewer privacy protections than your home or yourself. In some instances, law enforcement has probable cause to search your vehicle on a routine traffic stop, but it is important to remember that you still have rights under the Fourth Amendment, and law enforcement mu...
If law enforcement suspects that you committed a crime, they may want to search your cell phone location records for evidence. The Fourth Amendment of the Constitution of the United States of America protects you from unreasonable searches and seizures, but until recently, your digital privacy wa...
The Eighth Amendment to the Constitution of the United States protects you from excessive fines. If you are convicted of a crime, you may face forfeiting assets to the state or the federal government. The Supreme Court has ruled that the Eighth Amendment applies to asset forfeiture as well as cou...
The United States and Washington, D.C. have laws to protect you from intentional discrimination based on your sex, race, color, national origin, religion, and other protected characteristics. As businesses create policies that appear neutral on the surface, they may unintentionally discriminate a...
While social media can be a powerful networking tool, careless posting can devastate your case when you face a civil lawsuit in Washington, D.C., either as the Plaintiff or the Defendant. In litigation, the other party may gain access to all your social media postings, and this can devastate your...
Employers in Washington, D.C. face a variety of lawsuits from current and former employees. Any lawsuit can be financially devastating for your business, so you need an experienced civil litigation attorney from S.L. England, PLLC, to fight for you. These are the most common types of employment l...
In Washington, D.C. murder cases, the defendant's attorney may argue that the defendant was acting in self-defense when they took another person's life, and, therefore, not guilty of murder. The defendant's attorney has the burden of raising self-defense as a defense to the charge, and the prosec...
The Constitution of the United States gives defendants in criminal cases the right to confront their accusers in court. However, the Supreme Court of the United States ruled that in some cases -- specifically, domestic violence criminal cases -- out-of-court statements, including recorded 911 cal...
In Virginia, you can be charged with a misdemeanor or a felony for eluding law enforcement officers, depending on the circumstances of the incident. In court, it may be your word against the officer's, so hiring an attorney with extensive courtroom experience is the best way to protect your freed...
In Virginia, "theft" is called larceny. Larceny may be a misdemeanor or a felony, depending on the value of the item or items taken. In most cases, larceny occurs when a person deliberately takes an item to keep. However, is it larceny when someone finds an item left behind and takes it? What is...
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