Tag Archives: Leesburg Criminal Defense Lawyers
Virginia Cigarette Trafficking
Cigarettes are legal in all 50 states. However, the illegal transport of cigarettes out of state could land you in jail or prison for a very long time. Recently, a two-year undercover investigation of more than 150 crime ring suspects led to 43 indictments and 740 charges, according to The Washington Post. Law enforcement… Read More »
Forensic Science Gone Wrong
Forensic science is any science that is used for legal purposes. While forensic evidence can be used in civil cases, it is most often associated with criminal cases. Both the defendant and the prosecutor can use the unbiased information found through forensic science to support their case. However, forensic science can sometimes be flawed…. Read More »
The Difference Between a Felony and a Misdemeanor Charge
Misdemeanor and felony are common words heard when crimes are committed, but what exactly is the difference? In the eyes of the law, felonies are always more serious offenses compared to misdemeanors. What is considered a felony or misdemeanor can vary slightly from state to state. Virginia Code 18.2-8 defines a felony as any… Read More »
Illegal Impersonation
A Virginia Beach woman was recently arrested for impersonating a police officer in an effort to purchase prescription painkillers. The 24-year-old defendant allegedly told pharmacists that she was a police officer, supposedly with the hope that that identity carried extra persuasion to procure the narcotics without a prescription. However, she was not in police… Read More »
Obscure Weapons Offenses
Whenever a deadly weapon is either used or brought along during the commission of a crime, the penalties are inevitably upscaled. However, many Virginians may not realize that the use or display of certain weapons in and of itself can bring a criminal charge that results in a heavy fine and lengthy jail or… Read More »
Possible Expansion of State DNA Database
House Bill 711, sponsored by House Minority Leader David. J Toscano, D-Charlottesville, seeks to address the pros and cons of increasing the range of misdemeanors to be included in the state’s DNA database. The bill would enlist the assistance of the Virginia Crime Commission to examine existing data from other states that have already… Read More »
Criminal Defense of Street Gang Activity or Membership
The Mara Salvatrucha gang, MS-13, is an international gang comprised mostly of Central American members, in particular, El Salvadorans. The gang has a strong presence in Virginia and has been getting a lot of media attention recently because of the political atmosphere around criminal illegal immigrants. Dcw50, a Virginia television station, recently reported on… Read More »
Malicious Wounding
In November of 2016, a 35-year-old McLean, Virginia man was arrested for attacking and biting the face of a 31-year-old man, as reported by the Washington Post. The defendant faces charges of malicious wounding after confronting and attacking the other man in a parking lot. The victim’s face was significantly wounded, according to police…. Read More »
Defense of Virginia State, and Federal, Racketeering Charges
In Baltimore, Maryland, seven police officers were recently charged with federal racketeering, fraud, and extortion, according to Vice News. The crimes that some of the seven Baltimore police officers are being accused of include stealing from suspected trap houses, robbing citizens of drugs and money at traffic stops, reporting overtime pay while at a… Read More »
The Legal Powers of Private Security Guards in Virginia
In Virginia, security guards are given more power than in many other states. In the wake of a recent fatal shooting by an armed security guard, in which the officer killed an unarmed 60-year-old man who was simply playing Pokemon Go, it is more important than ever to understand the powers and limitations of… Read More »
