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Author Archives: Jay Butchko

DUI Law

Five Hidden DUI Defenses in Loudoun County

By Simms Showers LLP |

In Virginia, the overall cost of a first-time DUI could be over $20,000. Lack of intoxication, or rather lack of evidence of intoxication, is usually the best defense, and often the only defense, in DUI cases. For example, officers might have used a Breathalyzer that wasn’t properly calibrated or the defendant might have refused… Read More »

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CourtroomScales

Why Do I Have to Go to Court Twice for Domestic Violence?

By Simms Showers LLP |

Virginia’s legal system has two layers of protection for domestic abuse victims because serious injuries are so frequent. 75 percent of these victims sustained a serious injury. That injury could be visible, like a broken bone, or invisible, like Post Traumatic Stress Disorder or another brain injury. On the flip side, there are no… Read More »

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Arrested3

Cops Use DNA Evidence to Locate Cold Case Suspect

By Simms Showers LLP |

A 51-year-old New York man is in custody and facing charges for a murder he allegedly committed thirty years ago. In November 1994, a 37-year-old woman was found stabbed to death inside her home in Springfield, Virginia. Her 2-year-old daughter was in another part of the house during the stabbing. While investigating the case,… Read More »

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DrugPossession

The New Frontier in the War on Drugs

By Simms Showers LLP |

One of the most surreal moments of the War on Drugs occurred in December 1970, when Elvis met Nixon in the White House. To this day, the picture of a somewhat befuddled Nixon shaking hands with a velvet-clad Elvis is the National Archive’s most requested photograph. In those days, the War on Drugs was… Read More »

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StreetRacing

Street Racing Penalties in Virginia

By Simms Showers LLP |

Illegal street races occur almost every day in Loudoun County. Virginia drivers have more racing convictions than the drivers in almost any other state. Wyoming and North Dakota are the leading street racing states in the Union, possibly because there’s so much open space and not much else to do in these states. Virginia’s… Read More »

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Larceny2

Breaking Down a Juvenile Larceny Case

By Simms Showers LLP |

Some people don’t think juvenile larceny is serious. In fact, they consider it a rite of passage. But to others, including most prosecutors and judges, juvenile larceny is a cry for help. “Nip it in the bud” prosecutors aggressively pursue these cases and aren’t agreeable to dismissals or light punishments. Judges back them up…. Read More »

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FAQs About Job-Related Marijuana Testing in Virginia

By Simms Showers LLP |

In July 2021, Virginia lawmakers legalized recreational marijuana. Local governments quickly enacted rules that fleshed out the legalization mandate. To this day, many people believe that marijuana has the same legal status as tobacco. But a prescription painkiller is a more apt comparison. Limited marijuana possession and use is legal. Most marijuana possession and… Read More »

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LadyJustice

Three Under the Radar Reckless Driving Violations

By Simms Showers LLP |

Most people associate reckless driving violations with careless driving that clearly endangers other people. Indeed, most Article 7 violations address such driving. But a few are essentially driving technicalities. Officers often issue such citations if they’re bored or if they need to meet a quota. We should pause here and address ticket quotas. Formal… Read More »

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Jail5

Does Back to School Mean Go to Jail?

By Simms Showers LLP |

It could, according to a new Virginia law that addresses the problem of swatting (falsely summoning law enforcement) at a public or private school. Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin signed the new law in the gymnasium of E.C. Glass High School, a school that saw multiple swatting incidents during the 2022-23 school year. “These aren’t… Read More »

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DUI20

Five Key DUI Checkpoint Requirements in Virginia

By Simms Showers LLP |

As part of the 1960s Supreme Court criminal law revolution, the Supremes introduced the reasonable suspicion rule. According to Terry vs. Ohio, officers must have reasonable suspicion, which is an evidence-based hunch of criminal activity, before they pull over motorists or otherwise detain people. The Supreme Court has watered down this rule in recent… Read More »

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