Portsmouth Legal Blog
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...
Coparenting relationships require effort from the parents
Coparenting is an excellent arrangement for many divorced parents, but it only works if you can put the past behind you and focus on the children. This type of agreement won't always be easy to handle and it's important to plan for disagreements. Always remember that...
When can police enter your Virginia home?
The freedom from unreasonable searches and seizure of your property is one of the most basic rights you have as an American. That is why it is in the Fourth Amendment to our Constitution as part of the Bill of Rights. Unfortunately, if people do not understand the way...
Probable cause and electronic information
When Virginia police officers want to search a suspect's home, car or possessions, they generally must first obtain a search warrant, and the judges who issue these warrants only do so when they are presented with probable cause to believe that useful evidence will be...
Power of attorney may be your most important legal document
While most of us would prefer not to think about it, a person’s cognitive abilities decline as they age. Once we reach an age where we can no longer manage our financial and medical affairs, we need someone we trust to step in and help make those decisions. That is...
