Everyone else seems to have weighed in on the Casey Anthony trial so it is about time that I put my thoughts out there. While I didn’t see a lot of the coverage of the case, I did record some of defense attorney Boaz’s closing argument. He did an excellent job at least with the [...]
Recently it was reported in the Roanoke Times that a Montanna Department of Transportation video shows a horse picking up a rider at a bar. The message was supposed to be that if you have been drinking you should get a ride. Apparently the Chief of Police in Helena received calls asking if it was [...]
Can a Judge take a charge under advisement and defer disposing of a case after finding that there is enough evidence to convict a defendant of a criminal offense? Many lawyers in Virginia thought that they could. For years many of us would ask Judges not to convict our clients but to consider an alternative. [...]
Do keep your separate property separate If you owned real estate before you married do not retitle or deed the property into your joint names. The same goes for stocks, bonds, etc. If you are gifted money do not put it in a joint account but use a separate account in your name only. Also [...]
The 23rd Judicial Circuit is comprised of the Cities of Salem and Roanoke, and the County of Roanoke. The Judges from each Court can sit in any of our local courthouses. Because of loss of state revenue due to the economic downturn and the resulting need to do more with less, there is a freeze [...]
Although DUI arrests take place all year long there always seem to be more during the Christmas and New Year holiday season. Everyone should know by now that you should not drink (or drug) and drive. Let me repeat that. You should not drink (or drug) and drive. For those who do so anyway I [...]
A power of attorney can be an exceptionally useful tool when properly used. However, one of the difficulties with a power of attorney is the tremendous harm that can be done when misuse occurs. The power that allows an agent to pay bills and “handle” the affairs of a principal who is unable to handle [...]
Attorneys who regularly represent divorce clients will sometimes find themselves saying to a client, "Why didn't you have a prenup?" When representing the side that would not have benefitted from a premarital agreement the comment might be: "You should be thankful you didn't sign a prenup." So what are prenuptial agreements and why do people [...]
The last question on the intake form that we use for divorce clients asks for the grounds of divorce. By far the most frequent response given is “irreconcilable differences.” It’s no surprise as it seems to be a favorite ground of the movie star crowd as we read about their divorces in the paper, on [...]
Since the police didn’t read me my rights will the Judge dismiss my criminal charge? I’ve heard that question more than a few times. Primarily because of police shows on television many people believe that failure of the police to read an accused his (or her) rights will result in a dismissal of their charge. [...]