If you have ever been convicted of a drug-related crime, you may have faced fines, jail time or drug court, depending on where you live and the specifics of your case. Although drug courts are not currently available in all areas of the United States, they are in operation in Virginia, and they offer numerous benefits for both the addict and the public-at-large. In addition to proving more effective at keeping addicts off drugs than just treatment or just probation, drug courts:
Drug courts benefit more than just addicts
Drunk driving fatalities show decline
Virginia drivers may be interested to learn that the number of drunk driving fatalities in the District of Columbia area dropped approximately 15 percent between 2014 and 2015. This decrease followed drunk driving death increases that occurred in 2013 and 2014.
Virginia man faces heroin charges
A 28-year-old Virginia man is scheduled to appear in court on March 3 to face drug charges stemming from an October arrest. He is currently out on bond.
In case you hadn't heard, warrantless DUI blood tests are out
The law enforcement landscape regarding drunk driving is not fixed. Like any area of law, it can change. All it takes is a decision by a court or action by the Virginia legislature. Back in May of last year, we reported on how the U.S. Supreme Court would be looking at whether laws criminalizing the refusal to submit to breath and blood tests without a warrant are constitutional. This post offers an update for those who might not have heard the outcome.
It's educate over incarcerate for Virginia teens in graffiti case
Juvenile justice requires a special sensitivity. This is widely recognized here in Virginia as well as the rest of the country. The fact that an entire system is dedicated to the special handling of juvenile offenses reflects the widely held view that young people who commit crimes often do so out of ignorance rather than forethought. The logic that follows is that education should be preferred over incarceration for most juveniles.
Imbalanced sentencing based on education worth watching for
We have all heard the chant, "Be cool, stay in school." It's a worthy objective as part of the goal to improve graduation rates whether it's here in Virginia or anywhere else in the country. Statistics suggest high school dropouts find it harder to find living-wage work opportunities than those who do graduate. Some stay in school advocates also suggest a diploma may expand access to quality health care.
Changes to Virginia law regarding license suspension and drug offenses proposed
The consequences of a criminal conviction can impact all kinds of aspects of a person’s life. For example, some such convictions here in Virginia carry license suspensions as one of the penalties. Such suspensions can greatly impede a person’s ability to get around for a time. This, in turn, could pose major difficulties for them when it comes to things like their job, their schooling or their everyday activities.
