Category Archives: Criminal Law

In this opinion, the Court denies a petition for a writ of actual innocence, filed over three decades after a 1991 conviction for rape, sexual abuse, and abduction.More

The Supreme Court of Virginia releases one opinion today in which it clarifies the fine line between a judge properly considering a defendant’s lack of remorse at sentencing and improperly punishing someone for exercising their constitutional right to plead not guilty. More

In today’s sole opinion, a fractured Supreme Court of Virginia discusses under what circumstances a trial court has the power of summary contempt. More

The one published opinion out of the Supreme Court of Virginia today centers on the constitutional limits of police searches during arrests, specifically addressing how intrusive a search can be before it violates Fourth Amendment protections. More

The Supreme Court of Virginia releases one opinion today in which it addresses the “good-faith claim-of-right defense.” More

In one of two opinions issued today, the Supreme Court applies constitutional harmless error analysis to reinstate a second-degree murder conviction. More

In this, one of two opinions released today, the Supreme Court of Virginia case addresses the interpretation of Virginia Code § 19.2-306.1, which governs how courts may sentence individuals who violate probation terms. More

The Supreme Court of Virginia releases two opinions today, both criminal cases. In this case, the Court affirms warrantless arrests on home curtilage are constitutional when officers are lawfully present and have probable cause. More