More than 60% of American adults take prescription drugs and more than 20,000 of these drugs were on the market as of 2020. Unfortunately, nearly 17,000 people died of prescription drug overdoses in 2021. Many may feel surprised to learn that prescription drug fraud...
Criminal Defense
Can police search your vehicle without a warrant?
Getting pulled over is a high-stress event. Having a solid understanding of what police can and can not do helps you recognize when something is not right. There are certain situations in which police can search your vehicle without a warrant in Virginia....
Avoiding arrest when carrying prescribed medicine
Virginia has strict regulations and penalties regarding illegal drug use. This includes prescription medicine abuse. According to Virginia Rules, almost two million teens between the ages of 12 and 17 unlawfully use prescription pills. Adults also abuse them....
Can police use facial recognition software for probable cause?
Police must have probable cause to get a search warrant from a judge or make an arrest. This means that police must have a valid reason to think a person committed a crime before they can take these actions. As facial recognition technology becomes more common, the...
Sharing prescription medications may lead to drug charges
Many people assume that, because they have a medical use, prescription drugs are “legal drugs.” However, federal and state laws consider many medications controlled substances. Just as with illegal drugs like marijuana or methamphetamine, possessing or sharing another...
Understanding the basics of constructive possession
You do not have to have illegal substances directly on your person to be in danger of possession charges. If you are in a vehicle with another individual who does have drugs, police may arrest you. This applies even if you were previously unaware of the unlawful...
Doctor shopping may lead to criminal consequences
If you have acute or chronic pain from a back injury, you may rely on prescription pain medication to get through your day. Unfortunately, if you take certain opioids or other substances, your body is likely to adapt over time. Eventually, you may need to take more...
Know your rights when communicating with authorities
You have certain rights when you interact with law enforcement officials, and understanding what these rights are may help you avoid conflict and, in some cases, even criminal charges. The rights you have when communicating with authorities vary based on where they...
Breaking down your Miranda rights
You have probably heard about Miranda rights. They often come up in movies and television shows about law enforcement. Many people, even though who have never been under arrest, have some knowledge of the Miranda warning. This warning is more than a classic Hollywood...
Is a misdemeanor a big deal for those accused?
Misdemeanors aren't always a big deal in your daily life, and you could even get one for petty offenses like trespassing or loitering. While they're not particularly serious crimes, there is a risk that you could be found guilty and face penalties that affect you now...