New Virginia Criminal Laws in July 2024
There are New Virginia Criminal Laws in July 2024. Several changes being made to Virginia’s criminal laws. Auto Sears Ban – Starting July 1st, “Auto Sears”, machines used to make semi-automatic weapons fully automatic, will be made illegal in Virginia. Lucia’s […]
Call for Clemency
Call for Clemency By Karen Gross “Ms. Gross. This is the Pardon Office with the Department of Justice. Please call me as soon as possible on a very urgent matter.” My heartbeat quickened. Finally! I knew, of course, exactly why […]
Federal RDAP Program Relaxes Requirements
Federal RDAP Program Relaxes Requirements The possibility of getting a one-year reduction in sentence through completion of the Federal BOP (Bureau of Prisons) RDAP (Residential Drug Abuse Program) was previously limited to federal inmates without convictions for violent offenses or 924(c) (gun) convictions. […]
Supreme Court Rules Evidence Obtained After an Illegal Search May Be Introduced at Trial
Despite the U.S. Supreme Court operating with one less justice, the Court has continued to issue surprising rulings on everything from immigration, to abortion, to blood tests of suspected drunk drivers. By a 5 to 3 vote, the Supreme Court […]
Will Cuba Begin Extradition of Fugitives to US?
Will Cuba Begin Extradition of Fugitives to US? The United States and Cuba have restored diplomatic relations after more than 50 years of tension between the two countries. Travel restrictions have loosened, and a number of U.S, airlines will […]
New Senate Intelligence Bill Expands FBI Surveillance Powers
The latest Senate intelligence authorization bill has passed the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence by a vote of 14-to-1. The single “no” vote came from an Oregon Democrat who has warned that the bill would expand government surveillance, and undermine independent oversight. […]
Bowe Bergdahl’s Defense Team Wins Access to Classified Documents
The defense team representing Sergeant Bowe Bergdahl has won access to hundreds of thousands of classified documents in the early stages of Bergdahl’s court martial trial. A military judge had previously ordered that all classified information that the government may […]
Drug Kingpin El Chapo Prepares for Extradition to the US
Mexican drug kingpin Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman may be getting closer to his eventual extradition to the United States to face multiple criminal charges. Last week Guzman was moved from a prison in central Mexico to a prison in the border city […]
Challenging the Massive DEA Wiretapping Program
Law enforcement officers looking to install wiretaps and eavesdrop on phone calls are supposed to seek judicial approval first. Wiretaps are regulated by federal statutes, and officers have to establish probable cause for a federal judge to approve a wiretap. […]
Supreme Court Expands Government’s Ability to Search Computers Worldwide
In a blog from last week, we wrote about a federal judge who was concerned that the FBI and NSA were overstepping their surveillance powers. However, the U.S. Supreme Court has approved a Department of Justice rule to allow broader surveillance authority. […]