Court clears the way for deferred judgment 
Finding of guilt part of ‘inherent authority’
By
Published: January 14, 2011
Tags: Alexandria Circuit Court, Criminal, Immigration, Judge Lisa B. Kemler, Justice Charles S. Russell, Justice Donald W. Lemons, Justice Lawrence L. Koontz Jr., Supreme Court of Virginia News
The Supreme Court of Virginia appeared to clear the way Thursday for judges to defer judgment in criminal cases and enter a finding of not guilty even when they find the law and facts sufficient for a finding of guilt.
The ruling in Commonwealth v. Hernandez (VLW 011-6-002) stops short of fully endorsing the practice, however.
The ...
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