Virginia Lawyers Weekly VA Lawyers Weekly

An optometrist lost his appeal challenging his conviction for sexual battery after a trial on allegations he inappropriately touched more than one complaining witness. Background Three women testified that appellant, a licensed optometrist, inappropriately touching them during eye exams. Appellant ...

Tagged with: Criminal Judge Mary Grace O'Brien Virginia Court of Appeals

Where the commonwealth failed to prove the date of a video purporting to show the defendant at an ABC store and failed to prove that the defendant willfully concealed a bottle with the intent to steal from the store, the ...

Tagged with: Criminal Judge Randolph A. Beales Virginia Court of Appeals

A defendant granted a habeas review of his life sentences for capital murder and robbery was given a fair hearing and properly sentenced to 99 years in prison. Background In 1999, appellant was convicted, pursuant to a guilty plea, of ...

Tagged with: Criminal Judge Glen A. Huff Virginia Court of Appeals

A mother whose parental rights were terminated was not entitled to a continuance because she had been informed of the court date and simply failed to appear. Background On Nov. 1, 2017, the Bedford County Juvenile and Domestic Relations District ...

Tagged with: Domestic Relations Per Curiam Opinion Virginia Court of Appeals

Where a mother had a history of drug abuse and intellectual and functioning deficits, it was in the best interests of a child to terminate the woman’s parental rights to her daughter. Background Mother is the biological parent to K.H. ...

Tagged with: Domestic Relations Per Curiam Opinion Virginia Court of Appeals

A man with two firearms convictions was required to serve his sentences consecutively, not concurrently, according to the plain language of statute. Background On Aug. 1, 2016, Botkin was indicted by a grand jury for two counts of possession of ...

Tagged with: Criminal Justice S. Bernard Goodwyn Supreme Court of Virginia

Because a school superintendent’s production of documents waived the right of privilege on records produced before a certain date, a former employee claiming gender-based wage bias may review them. Background In this action by a former public school employee claiming ...

Tagged with: Employment Discrimination Judge James P. Jones U.S. District Court - Western District

The NLRB was entitled to recover $7,503 in fees based on accepted rates for  attorneys in Washington, D.C., after it prevailed in a discovery dispute with a coal company. Background The National Labor Relations Board moved to compel Cobalt Coal ...

Tagged with: Judge James P. Jones Labor U.S. District Court - Western District

Where a suit between a company and Wells Fargo is pending in state court, the plaintiff cannot pursue its claims against in federal court as well. Background Property Damage Specialists brought this suit to recover money it alleges it is ...

Tagged with: Civil Practice Judge Elizabeth K. Dillon U.S. District Court - Western District

Where a money-laundering defendant brought a claim that her lawyer was ineffective, at sentencing she has asked if she had been satisfied with his services, answering yes, her ineffective assistance claim is denied. Background On Aug. 30, 2016, petitioner pleaded ...

Tagged with: Criminal Judge Claude M. Hilton U.S. District Court - Eastern District