Blog Posts in 2022

What Are the Murder Degrees in Virginia?

Laws are strict, but they try to be fair. In most scenarios, the law acknowledges that the circumstances around a violent crime vary. There is no one-size-fits-all explanation for what led to a violent act. Therefore, crimes are often charged by the degree of severity. For many, murder is considered the worst crime a person can commit. Even so, the law recognizes that not all murders are the same, ...

Circumstances That Could Reduce a Criminal Sentence

Criminal defense is not just about making sure a defendant walks free. Equally, it can be about securing a fair sentence for someone found guilty. Attorneys spend a good deal of time on this part of the job. Most crimes have direct penalties connected to them. For instance, a Class 1 misdemeanor in Virginia is punishable by up to one year in jail with fines up to $2,500. However, sentencing does ...

Could I Be Kicked Out of College for an Arrest?

College sometimes feels like it exists in this weird middle ground between high school and adulthood. One on hand, the students are considered adults. They are not regulated by bells, hall passes, or confinement to campus. On the other hand, the college still expects certain behaviors from students. Individual professors can penalize absences, tardiness, and classroom misbehavior. Furthermore, ...

Defining Grand Larceny in Virginia

“Larceny” is the legal term for theft. Like most crimes, it is charged and sentenced in degrees. Typically, there are two forms of larceny: “petty” and “grand.” Grand larceny is the more severe of the two charges. Sometimes, people mistake the word “grand,” thinking it means the stolen property is worth $1,000 or more. While that is often the case – as it is in Virginia – the word itself is not a ...