Top VT officials remain in shootings lawsuit

Deputy Discharge States Bowman Claim

By Deborah Elkins
Published: September 16, 2011
Tags: Employment, Franklin County Circuit Court, Judge Joseph W. Milam Jr., Virginia Circuit Courts

Deputy sheriffs who say they were fired after they reported a sheriff’s violation of a penal statute for his off-the-books employment of his daughter can state a Bowman wrongful discharge claim based on their statutory duty under Va. Code § 19.2-201 to report such conduct, says a Franklin County Circuit Court. Under Bowman v. State [...]

Bill: Warrant would be needed for GPS tracking

By Peter Vieth
Published: June 22, 2011
Tags: Constitutional, Criminal, Franklin County Circuit Court, Judge William N. Alexander II

A bill introduced in Congress this month would put an end to a current police practice – use of a GPS tracking device without a warrant to follow a suspect. The measure would force law enforcement to get a judicial OK before using such electronic surveillance. Supporters say the bill protects basic privacy rights. Police [...]

GPS Tracking Device Substitute for Surveillance

By Deborah Elkins
Published: June 21, 2011
Tags: Franklin County Circuit Court, Judge William N. Alexander II, Search & Seizure, Virginia Circuit Courts

A Franklin County Circuit Court denies a defendant’s motion to suppress any evidence obtained against him after a GPS device was attached to his vehicle when it was parked at night on a public street in the city of Bedford, as the device was attached to the outside of the car, there was no evidence [...]