Category Archives: Criminal Law

The Supreme Court issues one order today that affirms a conviction for abuse or neglect of a vulnerable adult, resolving the case on sufficiency-of-the-evidence grounds while deliberately leaving a broader statutory question open. More

Three published opinions come out of the Supreme Court today. In this one, the Supreme Court reinstates a bench trial conviction for driving under the influence. More

In one of three published opinions released today, the Supreme Court of Virginia clarifies that an Edwards violation—continued questioning of an accused who has invoked the right to counsel—does not automatically make all subsequent statements inadmissible. More

In one of three opinions issued today, the Supreme Court of Virginia clarifies the role of circumstantial evidence and the “reasonable hypothesis of innocence” principle. More

In one of its three opinions today, the Supreme Court of Virginia found that an officer did not impermissibly extend a traffic stop by spending approximately twelve seconds asking whether the driver had drugs or weapons in her vehicle.More

In one of two opinions released today, the Supreme Court of Virginia held that a sentencing order imposing supervised probation “until released by the Court or the Probation Officer” did not violate Code § 19.2-303’s five-year cap on supervised probation. More

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