Insights
Malicious Wounding in Virginia
What is considered Malicious Wounding in Virginia? Malicious Wounding in Virginia is often a catch-all charge that covers a wide array of acts. It can apply to many serious criminal acts--which involve serious injury--and law enforcement can charge it for far less...
Rehaif v. United States: knowledge of status is required for conviction
The United States Supreme Court recent holding in Rehaif v. United States, 139 S.Ct. 2191 (2019), signals a substantial change in U.S. criminal law, which could have significant implications for Virginia state and federal criminal prosecutions. The Supreme Court held...
Virginia Burglary and Breaking and Entering Crimes
Virginia Burglary and Breaking and Entering Crimes What is Burglary in Virginia? Unlike larceny and robbery, the common law crime of burglary in Virginia was considered a crime against the security of one’s home or place of habitation. Common law burglary has...
Willfully Discharging Firearms in Public: Va. Code § 18.2-280
What is willful discharge of a firearm in public? If any person willfully discharges or causes to be discharged any firearm in any street in a city or town, or in any place of public business or place of public gathering, and such conduct results in bodily injury to...
Copyright Infringement Lawsuits under United States Copyright Act, 17 U.S.C. § 101
Cases by Malibu Media, LLC and Strike 3 Holdings, LLC In recent years federal courts, including the Eastern District of Virginia, have been flooded with copyright infringement cases filed against individuals by Plaintiffs, Malibu Media, LLC, and Strike 3 Holdings,...
The Rocket Docket (EDVA)
The United States District Courthouse for the Eastern District of Virginia (EDVA) is nicknamed the "Rocket Docket" for good reason. It routinely comes in at the top of the fastest federal district court jurisdictions in the country. It is also run by strictly enforced...
Grand Larceny in Virginia
What is Grand Larceny in Virginia? Grand Larceny in Virginia is defined by Va. Code 18.2-95: "Any person who (i) commits larceny from the person of another of money or other thing of value of $5 or more, (ii) commits simple larceny not from the person of another of...
Possession of Marijuana in Virginia
What constitutes possession of marijuana in Virginia? According to Virginia Code § 18.2-250.1, "It is unlawful for any person knowingly or intentionally to possess marijuana unless the substance was obtained directly from, or pursuant to, a valid prescription or order...
