Author Archives: Jay Butchko
Street Racing Law in Virginia: Breaking it Down
Many local law enforcement agencies highlight street racing enforcement. Although fewer than 0.5 percent of fatal crashes involve street racing, these incidents receive lots of attention. Multiple news outlets report about them, many people blog about them, and politicians crow about them. To stem the street racing “epidemic,” Virginia law includes a number of… Read More »
What Happens in a Weapons Possession Case?
Most weapons possession cases, and other criminal cases, settle out of court. PLea bargains were almost unheard of in 1900, somewhat common by 1950, and very common by 2000. Today, fewer than 5 percent of criminal cases go to trial. These resolutions avoid the uncertainty and drama of a trial. However, as outlined below,… Read More »
Watch Out for DUI Checkpoints
The number of fatal alcohol-related wrecks spikes over Labor Day Weekend. Largely for that reason, peace officers are usually out in force during this three-day weekend. Their show of force often includes DUI checkpoints. If they had their way, police officers would operate checkpoints every day of the year. But roadblocks are so costly… Read More »
VA Couple Arrested in PA on Drug Charges
Few details were available after Somerset County law enforcement officers arrested a Virginia couple and charged them with drug possession. A 45-year-old man and 44-year-old woman, from Beaverdam, Virginia, allegedly gave inconsistent stories about why they were traveling through the area. They gave Somerset police consent to search their vehicle, Somerset County District Attorney… Read More »
Protective Order Basics in Virginia
Virginia, like most other states, has a comprehensive protective order law. Protective orders are extremely common in domestic violence cases. Typically, when they make domestic violence arrests, police officers must inform alleged victims of their right to request a civil protective order. Furthermore, protective orders are easier to enforce than assault, stalking, or other… Read More »
Trump Burglary Suspect On the Loose
Loudoun County law enforcement agencies are looking for a white man who broke into the Trump 2024 campaign headquarters in Ashburn. The LCSO was contacted about the burglary yesterday at approximately 9:00 pm and deputies responded. The investigation is ongoing, and the LCSO has video surveillance of the suspect. He is a white adult… Read More »
Online Sex Solicitation Sting Nabs Six People
Officials arrested a half-dozen men between the ages of 23 and 66 who allegedly tried to have sexual relations with who they believed to be an underage girl. According to the Sheriff’s Office, all six individuals chatted online with “girls.” Several committed additional offenses, such as a child pornography offense or attempting to meet… Read More »
What Do Cops Look For in a Field Sobriety Test?
When they administer the DUI eye test and other field sobriety tests, police officers look for clues that indicate intoxication. Usually, these clues are related to test performance or the ability to follow directions. Alcohol affects physical and mental abilities. Intoxicated persons cannot act or think straight. Although the science behind FST clues, and… Read More »
Finding the Right DUI Lawyer in Loudoun County
There’s no shortage of lawyers in Northern Virginia. In fact, the region has the highest number of lawyers per capita in the country. Almost all of them could handle a simple DUI case. However, there’s really no such thing as a simple DUI case. Unlike many other cases, DUIs usually involve legal, factual, and… Read More »
Dealing With Protective Orders in Loudoun County Courts
Once upon a time, fighting a protective order in Loudoun County was essentially a waste of time. Now, as the number of false or inflated complaints continues rising, judges scrutinize these matters more closely at the ex parte stage, and are more willing to hear both sides of the story during appeals. A Leesburg… Read More »