The most important role of a parent is in the instruction of a child so that he or she may enter adulthood as a well-adjusted and contributing member of society. One of the biggest frustrations of many parents is finding the appropriate method for disciplining a child. Does corporal punishment play a role in modern parenting? Is spanking legal in Virginia? If it is legal, are there clear boundaries in the law so that parents do not commit a crime in disciplining their children?

Corporal punishment is defined as “physical punishment” according to Dictionary.com, more specifically, “physical punishment, as spanking, inflicted on a child by an adult in authority.” Spanking is a legal form of discipline from a parent to a child. However, not all spankings are created equal. Parents who use physical punishment to discipline their children can sometimes be charged with assault … Read More »

Going to court for the first time can be an intimidating experience. Whether you are facing criminal charges or find yourself in court in a divorce or custody case, remaining calm in court can really help you make your most effective case. We put together the infographic below to help you understand all the different parts of the courtroom, so you can feel at ease on your day in court. This infographic explains who people are, what they do, and where they sit. We’ve also included some interesting facts about courtrooms, and funny quotes from actual court cases.

Our experienced attorneys feel right at home in the courtroom– hopefully this information will allow you to also be at ease in front of the judge or jury.

Click the image to see a bigger version

If you enjoyed this infographic, or found it useful, feel free to use it on … Read More »

Have you ever felt that there is never a cop around when someone else is violating a traffic law, but the one time you go slightly above the speed limit or make a rolling stop through a stop sign, there’s sure to be an officer watching? An officer who just can’t wait to pull you over and write a ticket?

Traffic violations are often no respecter of persons. Many fine, upstanding, law-abiding citizens receive them. They are not generally a reflection on one’s moral quality. But it feels that way when we receive them, and we want to have a way to redeem ourselves to avoid the stain of that mark against our driving record. We don’t want the points, and we don’t want the insurance premium increase.

So instead of prepaying the offense, we take time from work or school, we … Read More »

In Prince William County, petit larceny is anything but petty. Petit Larceny is a misdemeanor offense under Virginia Code Section 18.2-96. It is the wrongful taking from another person of less than $5, or of another person’s property with a value less than $200, without that owner’s permission with the intent to permanently deprive that owner of said property. In common terms, it can be referred to as petty theft or stealing. A close relative of this offense is “concealment,” more commonly known as shoplifting, under Virginia Code Section 18.2-103. The maximum punishments for both petit larceny and concealment or shoplifting are 12 months in jail and a $2,500 fine.

Petit Larceny and concealment are in the same misdemeanor class as DWI/DUI, simple assault and battery, and trespassing; however, theft crimes are treated much more harshly than those other crimes in … Read More »

Virginia law prohibits both the illegal possession of controlled substances and possession with the intent to distribute controlled substances. Both offenses are addressed under Virginia Code Section 18.2-248. For a breakdown of the penalty ranges associated with drug possession and distribution, see our website pages on possession and distribution, respectively. Conviction of possession with intent to distribute requires that the Commonwealth prove that an individual “intentionally and consciously possessed the controlled substance, either actually or constructively, with knowledge of its nature and character, together with the intent to distribute it.”

To prove intent to distribute, the Commonwealth has to introduce sufficient evidence showing that the substances at issue were intended for distribution and not just for the individual’s own personal use. Barring an admission by the defendant, how does the Commonwealth prove an individual’s intent with regard to the substances he or … Read More »