| January 10, 2012 |
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What will a DUI do for my insurance? What is an FR-44?
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| Posted By Shawn Cline |
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| When I meet with a client facing a DUI charge, they are typically worried most about the possibility of jail time. The reality is that for routine misdemeanor DUI charges, jail time is typically just a few days, and sometimes is suspended altogether. ... |
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| Continue reading "What will a DUI do for my insurance? What is an FR-44?" » |
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| December 22, 2011 |
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Unlawful filming of another? What is this charge?
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| Posted By Shawn Cline |
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| Like most states, Virginia makes it a crime to videotape or photograph an individual without their knowledge while they are naked or in some state of undress. While there are numerous exceptions to this rule, and it can be difficult for presecutors ... |
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| Continue reading "Unlawful filming of another? What is this charge?" » |
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| December 14, 2011 |
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What laws apply to hit and run cases in Virginia?
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| Posted By Shawn Cline |
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| Hit and run cases are fairly common in any criminal and traffic practice. Virginia has created a complex series of statutes governing the various reporting responsibilities of drivers and passengers involved in accidents. The primary statute is ... |
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| Continue reading "What laws apply to hit and run cases in Virginia?" » |
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| December 01, 2011 |
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Facing marijuana charges in Virginia?
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| Posted By Shawn Cline |
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| Even as we see the governors of other states petitioning the Drug Enforcement Agency to reclassify marijuana as a Schedule II controlled substance, which would allow doctors to prescribe it to patients in the 16 states with medical marijuana statutes ... |
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| Continue reading "Facing marijuana charges in Virginia?" » |
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| October 11, 2011 |
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Is today really the "National Day of Johns"?
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| Posted By Shawn Cline |
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| Many of you probably saw the article in the Daily Press today commemorating the "National Day of Johns" in Newport News. "Commemorating" might not be the right word, unless your idea of a commemoration is to arrest 27 individuals suspected of ... |
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| Continue reading "Is today really the "National Day of Johns"?" » |
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| September 28, 2011 |
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Can the police search my car when I'm stopped?
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| Posted By Shawn Cline |
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| I can't tell you how common it is for clients to come to me with all sorts of charges that emerged from a search of their automobiles. There is almost a limitless variety of contraband that people can and do conceal in their cars as they commute from ... |
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| Continue reading "Can the police search my car when I'm stopped?" » |
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| September 24, 2011 |
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My BAC is over .08, I guess I have to plead guilty...
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| Posted By Shawn Cline |
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| Not true! I can't tell you how often I hear clients who feel absolutely defeated by the fact that they were stopped for DUI and produced a breathalyzer result over .08. "Over the limit, under arrest", right? Well, being over the limit can certainly ... |
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| Continue reading "My BAC is over .08, I guess I have to plead guilty..." » |
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| September 21, 2011 |
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What can be done on a prostitution or solicitation charge?
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| Posted By Shawn Cline |
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| Prostitution and soliciting a prostitute are some of the most common charges in this area. Local law enforcement agencies conduct stings using websites like backpage.com to catch individuals involved in these types of transactions. Perhaps it is ... |
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| Continue reading "What can be done on a prostitution or solicitation charge?" » |
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| September 16, 2011 |
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How bad are federal sentencing guidelines in child pornography cases?
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| Posted By Shawn Cline |
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| This is kind of a loaded question, and the answer is "terrible". I'll explain why, but the take away from this posting is that if you are facing federal child pornography charges, your long-term liberty is at considerable risk. Let's start by ... |
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| Continue reading "How bad are federal sentencing guidelines in child pornography cases?" » |
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| September 14, 2011 |
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What is the Virginia Sex Offender Registry?
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| Posted By Shawn Cline |
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| One of the most enduring effects of a conviction for a sex crime in Virginia, and really throughout the entire country, is the sex offender registration that follows. Virginia, like most states, maintains an online database of individuals who have ... |
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| Continue reading "What is the Virginia Sex Offender Registry?" » |
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| August 22, 2011 |
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Assault on a family member in Virginia
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| Posted By Shawn Cline |
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| Assault and battery on a family member in violation of Virginia Code §18.2-57.2 is one of the most common offenses that I see in my office. Very often, the parties have resolved their differences, and neither wants to go forward on the matter. The ... |
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| Continue reading "Assault on a family member in Virginia" » |
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| July 19, 2011 |
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What does "implied consent" mean for a DUI charge?
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| Posted By Shawn Cline |
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| Usually the most powerful evidence that the prosecutor has in a DUI case is the breathalyzer result. This is rarely the only piece of evidence in a DUI case, but prosecutors rely heavily upon breathalyzer BAC (blood alcohol content) in the vast ... |
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| Continue reading "What does "implied consent" mean for a DUI charge?" » |
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| July 12, 2011 |
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What are Virginia child abuse laws?
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| Posted By Shawn Cline |
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| I frequently meet with distraught parents who have been charged with child neglect or abuse. In most cases, these are loving parents who either lacked the skills and resources to effectively care for their children; or in many cases these are parents ... |
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| Continue reading "What are Virginia child abuse laws?" » |
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| June 20, 2011 |
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What are the possible penalties for child pornography charges?
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| Posted By Shawn Cline |
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| Possession and distribution of child pornography are some of the most common felony charges that I deal with. Almost without exception, the individual was caught as part of a "catch a predator" type of sting, conducted by either federal or state law ... |
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| Continue reading "What are the possible penalties for child pornography charges?" » |
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| June 15, 2011 |
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What is the difference between malicious wounding and assault?
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| Posted By Shawn Cline |
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| I frequently meet with clients who are facing charges of malicious wounding, which is a Class 3 felony, who are wondering why they were not charged with simple assault, which is a Class 1 misdemeanor. Obviously, the difference in potential ... |
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| Continue reading "What is the difference between malicious wounding and assault?" » |
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