On behalf of Law Offices of Howard, Clark & Howard | Nov 17, 2020 | Criminal defense
Virginia Governor Ralph Northam recently signed into law a bill giving criminal defendants convicted at jury trials the choice between being sentenced by a judge or the jury that convicted them. Arguments for and against jury sentencing Proponents of the new reform...
On behalf of Law Offices of Howard, Clark & Howard | Nov 3, 2020 | Criminal defense
Alcohol and large groups of people seldom have positive outcomes. Alcohol tends to take our social filter away, and as alcohol levels rise, often so do tempers. This, in turn, can lead to fights and sometimes, shootings. This is, unfortunately, the alleged case at a...
On behalf of Law Offices of Howard, Clark & Howard | Oct 14, 2020 | Criminal defense
Regardless of the criminal charges you’re facing, there’s a lot riding on your criminal defense. An inadequate one can leave you at risk of facing severe penalties that might include prison time, fines, and a criminal record that can have a profound impact on your...
On behalf of Law Offices of Howard, Clark & Howard | Aug 6, 2020 | Criminal defense
You shouldn’t plan on having to pull over on the side of the road and run through a series of tests to prove you aren’t under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Rather, your best bet is simply planning a sober ride. However, if you ever do find yourself at a DUI stop,...
On behalf of Law Offices of Howard, Clark & Howard | Aug 3, 2020 | Criminal defense
It is illegal to operate a motor vehicle without a license in Virginia or any other state. However, the law generally differentiates between those who don’t have a valid license and those who aren’t able to produce their licenses when asked to present...
On behalf of Law Offices of Howard, Clark & Howard | Jul 23, 2020 | Criminal defense
Virginia residents who are forced to engage in sexual activity against their will are likely victims of sexual assault. Examples of sexual assault include inserting something into a person’s anus or vagina or kissing a person without his or her permission. Those...
On behalf of Law Offices of Howard, Clark & Howard | Jul 12, 2020 | Criminal defense
A new law went into effect in Virginia on July 1 that raises the reckless driving threshold from 80 mph to 85 mph on some of the state’s busiest highways. Senate Bill 63 was passed by the Senate in January, the House in March and signed into law by Gov. Ralph Northam...
On behalf of Law Offices of Howard, Clark & Howard | Jul 7, 2020 | Criminal defense
It isn’t uncommon for defendants in Virginia and other states to receive a plea deal at some point during the legal process. To entice a person to accept a deal, a prosecutor may drop the most serious charges a person faces or offer a reduced sentence on those...
On behalf of Law Offices of Howard, Clark & Howard | Jun 10, 2020 | Criminal defense
Reckless driving charges may seem minor to you. Yet in Virginia, the penalties can be stiff depending on the offense you’re accused of. If you’re facing these charges, it’s important to know the state’s reckless driving laws. Learning them can...
On behalf of Law Offices of Howard, Clark & Howard | May 1, 2020 | Criminal defense
Vox reports that Virginia has decriminalized simple possession of marijuana. The commonwealth joins fifteen other states in decriminalizing cannabis possession. However, lawmakers opted against fully legalizing the drug. Decriminalization falls short of legalization...
