LATEST NEWS & ARTICLES
Discussion about the latest legal news plus helpful resources.
Mike Gives Thoughts on Jury Sentencing in Washington Post Article
Over the weekend, The Washington Post ran a story on the front page of the Metro section on Virginia’s new jury sentencing reform law. You can read the article here. WaPo columnists Rachel Weiner
The Most Important Law in Virginia History?
A bill banning police from initiating searches based on marijuana odor and making traffic stops for many minor infractions is heading to the governor’s desk. A bill I wrote about last week, and a
Criminal Justice Reform Update
Anti-Communist novelist Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn wrote: The Law lurches from side to side: one year criminality falls sharply! — arrest fewer, put fewer on trial, and let the convicted out on bail. And then it
Mike Selected to Best Lawyers in America
Best Lawyers® selected me for inclusion in the 2021 edition of The Best Lawyers in America: Ones to Watch. Lawyers were selected for inclusion in the 2021 edition based entirely on a peer-review process.
Civilian Security Clearance & Arrest
Hundreds of thousands of people in Northern Virginia possess a security clearance. Security clearances are issued by many federal government agencies and civilian contractors, including the Department of Defense (DoD), the Department of Homeland
More Expungement Reform Coming to Virginia
Next week the Virginia General Assembly will consider a bill to revamp the commonwealth’s expungement laws. SB 5009 provides that a person with a previous first-offender dismissal under the underage alcohol or false ID
New Virginia Expungement Law Would Allow For Removal of Convictions
The Virginia General Assembly enters a special session on August 18 to debate COVID-19 issues and continue “criminal justice reform” efforts. Among the bills introduced for the special session is one that would allow
My Mission Statement
“Why do you practice law?” I was asked that question recently and had to think about it. That is shameful. I know exactly why I practice law. Here it is for all to see.
It Feels a Bit Like 1934
The situation in America may not appear as grim as it did during the Great Depression. But with tens of millions unemployed and thousands of small business closed forever, we aren’t really that far
A Tale of Two Virginia Marijuana Cases
Last week I represented two young people who were both charged with possession of marijuana in Virginia. But their cases were treated very differently. The reason is that one was charged in federal court
The Qualified Immunity Quandary
Under qualified immunity, a police officer can be sued for damages if he or she violates a clearly established constitutional or statutory right.
Criminal Records, Expungement, & Marijuana
Starting July 1, 2020, possession of marijuana in Virginia will not be a crime. What does that mean if you have a prior charge or conviction of marijuana possession when it was a crime?
PPP May Not Help Your Small Business at All
Congress passed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (also known as the “CARES Act”) in March. It is the single largest economic stimulus package ever in the history of the United States and will add $1.8
How Lawyers Steal From Their Clients
Every day attorneys across Virginia commit grand larceny. No area of law is exempt. Whether it’s criminal defense lawyers charging flat fees, or civil attorneys and their hourly billing, lawyers everywhere are taking their
No, Marijuana & Hash Oil Are Not Legal in Virginia… Yet
Sorry everyone, but you still must make the trip into Washington, D.C. to get your legal marijuana fix (assuming you’re interested in following the law). However, Virginia has taken another step toward full marijuana
