Category Archives: Criminal Law

Is a charge eligible for expungement if it was dismissed following a deferred disposition?

Virginia offers the possibility of a ‘deferred disposition’ for first time offenders of a number of crimes, including most misdemeanor ‘property’ crimes. In a deferred disposition case, the judge will: a)  Hold that the facts are sufficient for a finding … Continue reading

Posted in Criminal Law, Deferred Disposition, Expungement, First Offender, Virginia Law, Virginia Supreme Court | Comments Off on Is a charge eligible for expungement if it was dismissed following a deferred disposition?

Do I lose my right to possess firearms if I live with a prohibited person?

This is a question that arises quite frequently.  “If my (husband / wife / boyfriend / girlfriend / parent / roommate) is a prohibited person does that mean I can’t have my legally owned firearms in my own home?” The … Continue reading

Posted in Criminal Law, Domestic Violence, Federal Law, Felons, Gun Rights Restoration, Mental Health, Prohibited Persons | Comments Off on Do I lose my right to possess firearms if I live with a prohibited person?

Do I lose my gun rights if I voluntarily seek mental health treatment?

The criteria for which types of mental health issues might give rise to a gun rights prohibition under either state or federal law is staggeringly complex. For the average citizen, unfamiliar with researching and parsing legal language, the task of understanding this … Continue reading

Posted in 4473, ATF, ATF Guidance Letters, BATFE, Criminal Law, Federal Law, Mental Health, Purchasing Firearms, Virginia Law | Comments Off on Do I lose my gun rights if I voluntarily seek mental health treatment?

Governor signs bill allowing non-residents with a VA mental health prohibition to petition for gun rights restoration

In 1994, Paul Anthony Leone was convicted of felony possession of marijuana in Virginia.  This conviction stripped him of both his political rights and his right to possess firearms. Years later, in 2012, Mr. Leone, now living in North Carolina, … Continue reading

Posted in Criminal Law, Federal Law, Gun Rights Restoration, Mental Health, Virginia Law | Comments Off on Governor signs bill allowing non-residents with a VA mental health prohibition to petition for gun rights restoration

Can felons hunt with crossbows in Virginia?

I have written before about the rampant confusion surrounding the issue of whether or not felons can possess, and hunt with, black powder firearms in Virginia. But there is a separate question that comes up almost as often and that is … Continue reading

Posted in Bows, Criminal Law, Crossbows, Federal Law, Felons, Gun Rights Restoration, Virginia Law | Comments Off on Can felons hunt with crossbows in Virginia?