A conviction on public corruption charges can be a game-ender for a politician. The former governor of Virginia and his wife, Bob and Maureen McDonnell, recently were found guilty of a total of 20 corruption-related allegations. The ex-governor, who served as the...
Year: 2014
The elements of a Virginia larceny charge
Newport News residents may use terms like theft, larceny and robbery interchangeably in everyday discussions. In fact, the legal definitions of these words, which all refer to taking something that doesn't belong to you, vary significantly. The distinctions among the...
A larceny defense must fit the alleged crime
Theft crime charges are divided into a number of different types, all of which come with different possible consequences should conviction occur. It can be difficult to understand the variations in theft crimes, especially when some of the allegations may sound less...
Virginia drug distribution: Legal facts and consequences
By far, the majority of charges for drug wrongdoing include the possession of drugs. According to a 2012 report from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, more than 82 percent of the arrests reported dealt with drug possession, while fewer than 18 percent of arrests...
Virginia man arrested twice for repeat DUI within 8 days
Any time a Newport News criminal defendant is convicted of the same crime more than once, penalties can increase substantially. A Virginia defendant convicted of multiple offenses for driving under the influence may be facing severe punishments for a felony. For this...
What is the role of juvenile courts in Virginia?
Under Virginia's judicial system, every city or county is home to a juvenile and domestic relations district court. The courts preside over a variety of cases related to juveniles, including both criminal and family law matters.In most cases, a juvenile in the state...
Virginia man’s embezzlement charge reduced by plea deal
Embezzlement may be categorized as larceny or theft. Virginia defendants charged with embezzlement are accused of stealing property, usually money, they were authorized to handle. The criminal charge remains the same, whether property is taken in one lump sum or...
Virginia man accused of DUI manslaughter faces new drug charge
Although individuals are not guilty of a crime unless they are convicted, some Virginia defendants will await trial in jail. Bond is set as a guarantee that freed defendants will return to court. Newport News judges can change their minds about a defendant's freedom...
Guilty plea entered in trust-fund theft crime
Terms such as theft often bring to mind robbery scenarios for residents of Newport News, Virginia. Most residents would never thing of breaking into another person's home and walking away with items or money, but when individuals are put in a position of trust...
Why some Virginia couples get 2 divorces
The Commonwealth of Virginia considers physical marital separation as a kind of quasi-divorce. Other states simply call a formal split a legal separation. Virginia's term is a divorce from bed and board – you remain married, apart and unable to remarry.The...