Possessing prescription drugs without a valid prescription leads to serious legal trouble in Virginia. Many individuals do not realize that holding certain medications, even for a friend or family member, results in criminal charges. Understanding the legal...
Employees facing termination due to addiction may have legal protections under federal and state laws. Knowing these rights can help employees navigate the legal landscape surrounding addiction and employment termination. Understanding addiction under the ADA The...
There is a delicate balance between proper law enforcement and constitutional rights. Exploring the concept of entrapment highlights this because some police tactics may violate the Fourth Amendment. This balance can be especially true in drug possession cases. By...
When we think about drug addiction, we focus on the legal aspects of it—the crimes and punishments associated with drugs. However, most resources do not shed enough light on the root causes of addiction—what makes it tick, what science says about its causes and what...
Many jobs in Virginia require a background check before a business hires someone. That means they will search through a candidate's criminal history. Certain ones, known as barrier crimes, can deem you ineligible for various fields. That can limit employment...
One of the most positive outcomes of a drug charge case in Virginia is when probation has been allowed by the court. Judges have the power to place defendants on probation without any plea agreement, but this is not necessarily the final outcome when prosecutors are...
Police departments in Virginia and around the country use dogs that are trained to sniff the air around vehicles and alert their handlers to the presence of illegal drugs, but a growing body of evidence suggests that these K-9 officers may not be all that reliable....
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...
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...
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...