West Virginia prosecutors, like their counterparts nationwide, depend on powerful evidence to secure convictions for violent crimes like murder or assault. During a trial, this evidence is presented to a jury for careful consideration. While DNA testing has become a...
Criminal Defense
Drunk driving stops: The basics
Being pulled over by the police is troubling for most people. You may even be tempted to panic if you see flashing lights and you don’t think you’ve done anything that warrants being pulled over. If you find out an officer has stopped you because they think you’re...
Why do prosecutors search defendants’ social media accounts?
Prosecutors often turn to the digital footprints created by defendants on social media platforms as part of their investigative and case-building processes. This modern investigative tactic is rooted in the understanding that social media accounts can be treasure...
Some criminal cases rely on junk science
Some evidence of criminal activity is relatively straightforward. There are messages between people confirming their plan to break the law. In some cases, there might be security camera footage of a particular criminal incident. Other times, police officers and...
4 mistakes to avoid when arrested for DUI
Being charged with driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol or other drugs can easily lead to serious consequences. You can lose your driving privileges, pay fines or go to jail. Your future may also be jeopardized – a DUI on your driving record can affect your...
How to avoid a holiday DUI
The holidays are here! This is the time of year when people gather to celebrate with friends, family and coworkers while enjoying festive foods and alcoholic beverages. Between all of the parties and celebrations, it’s easy to overindulge. While you plan to simply...
The crucial role of evidence suppression in criminal cases
Just because you think the prosecution has substantial evidence against you does not automatically spell trouble. This is because not all of the evidence may be admissible in court. In other words, you can exclude specific pieces of evidence from being used against...
Criminal records come with consequences
When someone runs into trouble with the legal system, they benefit from due process after an arrest. A defendant will appear in a West Virginia court and have a right to a defense and jury trial. Even so, the chances of a conviction loom, and those chances could be...
Body camera footage raises questions about police K-9 impartiality
Police departments in West Virginia and around the country use dogs that are trained to signal an alert when their keen senses of smell detect illegal drugs, explosives or firearms. The courts usually take it for granted that drug-sniffing dogs are impartial as long...
Judges and plea bargain agreements
The courts and legal processing system in West Virginia are increasingly stretched thin, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic. Any legal process, whether civil or criminal, takes much time and specialized effort, from law enforcement officers to clerks to lawyers to...