Portsmouth Legal Blog
Virginia program aims to decrease drunk driving
A campaign aimed at educating Virginia drivers about the dangers of driving under the influence of alcohol began on Aug. 26 and will run on holiday weekends for the rest of the year. Known as Checkpoint Strikeforce, the campaign also has an enforcement element and...
What are my rights during a police traffic stop?
When you are on the road and see the flashing lights behind you, your heart might stop. Even once you pull over, you’re thinking about what will happen next. With multiple cases of police brutality after traffic stops or during arrests in recent years, you may be...
Magic mushrooms following marijuana in decriminalization
Legalization of marijuana has been a major milestone in the United States legal system as opinions in several progressive states regarding the substance have eased. Medical marijuana is actually the model that convinced most state residents that it is a relatively...
What are the changes to Virginia’s marijuana laws?
On July 1, 2020, Virginia enacted new marijuana laws that effectively decriminalized its possession in small amounts. State officials passed two bills in March 2020 that revised former, stricter guidelines. These bills make Virginia the 26th state to overhaul...
Drug dogs not always accurate
When police officers in Virginia suspect that a driver might have drugs in his or her vehicle, they might call for the assistance of K-9 units. These dogs are trained to alert when they detect the smell of drugs, including marijuana, cocaine, heroin, fentanyl, and...
LSD: the effects and penalties
LSD, lysergic acid diethylamide is sold under countless different names. It’s often referred to as acid. LSD often known as a party drug because of its extreme hallucinogenic properties. How is LSD made? Lysergic acid, a fungus that grows in grains, is what LSD is...
Court protects freedom of expression in Virginia cop case
There is little doubt that many Portsmouth drug arrests have their genesis in traffic stops. While there are many valid reasons to stop a driver who has driven through a red light, driven the wrong direction on a one-way street, exceeded the speed limit and so on,...
Could I face drug charges if I report an overdose?
The past two decades have seen a dramatic rise in overdose fatalities in the U.S., especially deaths related to opioid use. The CDC reports that more than 70,000 Americans died of an overdose in 2017, and there are 192 such fatalities in the U.S. each day. ...
Understanding the involuntary commitment of drug users to rehab
Virginia allows for the involuntary commitment of a person to drug abuse rehab centers. Like most states, Virginia has laws that establish criteria for whether an individual can be involuntarily committed for either mental health treatment or drug rehabilitation....
Avoid a DWI charge this holiday season
With the holidays coming up, you might find yourself indulging in a few drinks at a bar, casual get-together or holiday party. But if you choose to get behind the wheel afterwards, your decision to drink and drive can have major consequences. Virginia DWI penalties...
