Virginia Lawyers Weekly VA Lawyers Weekly

A county ordinance prohibiting hindrance or obstruction of sheriff’s deputies performing their duties was not overbroad or vague, and it was thus a proper basis for the defendant’s conviction on grounds that he fled and hid from officers. Background Loudoun ...

Tagged with: Constitutional Criminal Judge Teresa M. Chafin Virginia Court of Appeals

It was unreasonable for the defendant’s prior appellate counsel not to argue that his money laundering convictions were invalid because of a “merger” issue. Thus, the district court should not have denied the defendant’s habeas claim based on ineffective assistance ...

Tagged with: 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals Constitutional Criminal Habeas Judge Diana Gribbon Motz

Officers’ recollection that a strong marijuana odor emanated from a vehicle wasn’t consistent with video of their search: The car doors were closed, the marijuana discovered was raw and enclosed, and the officers never mentioned the odor before the search. ...

Tagged with: Constitutional Criminal Judge David W. Lannetti Norfolk Circuit Court Search & Seizure Virginia Circuit Courts

Evidence was sufficient to prove that the defendant conspired with his co-defendant to collect a debt through intimidation, including with a firearm. Background Appellant Jahsaad Livingston was tried jointly with his co-defendant, Therin Mason Miller-Jones. For several months in 2015, ...

Tagged with: Criminal Judge Robert P. Frank Virginia Court of Appeals

A continuance ordered due to the hospitalization of defense counsel tolled the speedy trial deadline, because the reason for the delay was unanticipated and beyond the control of the Commonwealth. Background Appellee Calvin Craighead was indicted for two counts of ...

Tagged with: Criminal Judge Robert J. Humphreys Virginia Court of Appeals

The government was denied rehearing as to a habeas petitioner, previously granted permission to seek relief under the savings clause contained in 28 U.S.C. § 2255. Statement respecting denial (Agee, J.) The issues in this case are of significant national ...

Tagged with: 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals Criminal Published Order Sentencing

The district court erred in sentencing the defendant as a career offender because his prior convictions for conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine are not controlled substance offenses for career offender purposes. No career-offender predicates Appellant ...

Tagged with: 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals Criminal Per Curiam Opinion Sentencing

Because not all of the offenses encompassed under Maryland’s theft statute qualify as crimes involving moral turpitude, the Board of Immigration Appeals erred in concluding that the petitioner committed such crimes and was thus ineligible for cancellation of removal. Background ...

Tagged with: 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals Criminal Immigration Judge William B. Traxler Jr.

The district court did not err in applying a “vulnerable victim” sentencing enhancement to a defendant who worked at a fraudulent telemarketing center as a “reloader,” targeting individuals who had already fallen for the scheme at least once, in the ...

Tagged with: 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals Criminal Judge Albert Diaz Sentencing

A defendant convicted of attempted murder and other offenses failed to show that he was denied a speedy trial. Because the parties offered conflicting hearing transcripts and no audio, the court could not resolve what defense counsel agreed to, and ...

Tagged with: Criminal Evidence Virginia Court of Appeals