A big part of my job involves defending my clients who have been charged with a crime or traffic violation. Oftentimes, however, this can be avoided. We get several calls from clients saying they were first pulled over for an expired registration, which then led to the officer, for example, finding a small amount of marijuana. A simple (and relatively …
A common law marriage is essentially the decision that you and your partner are married, without actually legally being married. Common law marriages in Virginia are one of those rumors that people actually believe. Despite the fact that Virginia does not practice common law marriages, there are 10 states that do. Thus, Virginia will recognize common law marriages as valid …
Virginia law now requires any individual who is convicted of a DUI to have an ignition interlock system installed in their vehicle in order to drive on a restricted license. But, what is an ignition interlock system? Interlock devices are installed directly in the ignition system of the car and determines the blood alcohol content (BAC) of an individual. In …
If you are currently finding it to be nearly impossible to communicate with your ex regarding your children – trust me, you are not alone! Oftentimes, during a divorce or break-up, emotions run high and children can be used as pawns to exact revenge against the other parent. You may have tried, and tried, and tried again, but you just …
There are several things you should do immediately following an automobile accident. This week, we are going to give you a brief outline of things you must do after you find yourself in an accident. Take photos of the vehicles involved Do not make statements to anyone about injuries (especially on social media) Be evaluated by a physician Contact your …
Let’s say you’ve been to court for a criminal matter or traffic offense like reckless driving, but you don’t like the decision of the Judge. Do you have to accept that decision? The short answer is no. If, in a lower court (Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court or General District Court), the Judge makes a decision that you don’t agree …
We get this question a lot and the answer is pretty simple. In Virginia, there is no such thing as a legal separation. One person in the marriage simply decides they want to be separated and in the court’s eyes, you are separated. There is no filing of paperwork, no procedures to follow, basically, nothing needs to happen “legally” to …
We strive to ensure that our potential clients are as informed as possible. This is the why we aim to answer every question presented during the first consultation, but sometimes clients can forget to ask all of their questions during the consultation. In effort to assist our potential clients with this inevitability, we have a quick tip for preparing for …
Requesting a Protective Order can be an extremely emotional, and confusing, process. Where do I go? What do I ask for? Who do I speak to? These could be just some of the questions you are asking yourself when you are considering filing a Protective Order. This week, I’m going to explain where to go to obtain a Protective Order. …
So, you and your spouse have made the decision to get divorced. You’re both on the same page and agree that the marriage can’t be saved. So now it’s time to move on, right? Well, not so fast. Admittedly, this is a period where you may feel “stuck.” You are waiting out the required one year of separation (or 6-months …