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Virginia FOIA does not apply to judiciary
Long distance phone records sought from the judiciary are not public records, as the Virginia Freedom of Information Act does not apply to the judiciary, including its executive secretary. Background […]
Judiciary not subject to open records law, judge says
As the Supreme Court of Virginia considers a new batch of rules to govern access to judicial records, a circuit judge explicitly ruled on a proposition the high court has […]
Student hurt when column at state school fell on her – $1.6 Million Settlement
Plaintiff, a student at a Virginia public university, tied her hammock to two concrete columns in an open, public area on campus. One of the 800 pound columns fell on […]
Ruling clears judge of judicial misconduct
A ruling by a circuit judge may absolve a general district judge of claims that he misused his judicial status in a property dispute with a neighbor. The decision from […]
Head-on collision left plaintiff with severe headaches – $250,000 Verdict
Plaintiff was struck head-on on Va. Rt. 40 in Franklin County by a vehicle operated by the defendant. Defendant veered into plaintiff’s lane of travel. Both vehicles were damaged, and […]
Va. Tech verdict likely not the last legal word
CHRISTIANSBURG, Va. (AP) — After a jury concluded Wednesday that Virginia Tech officials were negligent in their actions leading up to the 2007 deadly mass shooting, the state was giving […]
University President Out as Defendant
A Montgomery County Circuit Court dismisses, on res judicata grounds, Virginia Tech’s university president as a defendant in this negligence suit filed by the estates of two students who were […]
Bill: Warrant would be needed for GPS tracking
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. […]
GPS Tracking Device Substitute for Surveillance
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 […]
Hall: AG should quit Tech shootings case
The lawyer for the families suing Virginia Tech over the April 16 shootings says Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli should step aside from representing the school because of his public […]
Recusal can be a touchy moment for a lawyer
It can be a ticklish and touchy moment for a lawyer: the judge in a case has a conflict and needs to pass the file to a colleague. But whether, […]
Ad damnum, defamation cases settled while on appeal
Don’t look for rulings from the Supreme Court of Virginia in the Spear ad damnum case or the much-litigated defamation claim of a former Raytheon Technical Services Co. executive. Both […]
Legal Tech
- How large language models are leveling the personal injury playing field
- Attorney Share, Lawmatics integrate to automate law firm referrals
- How ransomware tactics against law firms are changing
Verdicts & Settlements
- Workers’ Compensation-Vehicle accident paralyzes Brazilian cement worker
- Medical Malpractice – Death from cancer followed stomach pain misdiagnosis
- Workers’ Compensation – Seasonal worker paralyzed in tobacco baler accident
- Medical Malpractice – Jurors side with doctor in suit over rescue surgery
- Motor Vehicle Negligence – Unicycle rider dies after being hit by car
Opinion Digests
- Prisons – No immunity for prison officials who allegedly failed to provide medical care
- Search and seizure – No immunity for guards who intentionally failed to check on injured inmate
- Prisons – Compassionate release denied despite end-stage renal disease
- Criminal – Correctional officer’s civil rights’ violation conviction is vacated
- Constitutional – Board member lacks property interest in zoning board position
- Habeas corpus – District court erred when it granted writ of habeas corpus
- Tort – Salvadoran colonel denied immunity for alleged murder of journalist
