Law for VA LEOs

In our third episode on the 2020 Special Session, we discuss some new laws about traffic stops, marijuana investigations, defendant sentencing and "earned sentence credits." Note: Most of these bills do not go into effect until March 1, 2021.

In our second episode on the 2020 Special Session, we discuss some new laws about Civilian Review Boards, procedures for decertification of law enforcement officers, and new mandatory training and training standards at DCJS.

The Va. General Assembly is wrapping up its "Special Session" - today we talk about two new sets of laws they passed, on Use of Force and on Search Warrants

This week, the Virginia Supreme Court issued a significant ruling about License Plate Readers. What does it mean for law enforcement use of this, and other such technologies, in Virginia?

When does the 4th Amendment restrict entries and arrests in the "curtilage" of a home? A new case from the Court of Appeals this week highlights a challenging issue for law enforcement in Virginia.

In part three of our series on civil disturbances, we talk about Obstruction by Threats and Escape - what conduct qualifies and what conduct does not qualify as obstruction under Parts B, C, D, and E of 18.2-460 in Va.?

In part two of our series on civil disturbances, we talk about Obstruction of Justice - what conduct qualifies and what conduct does not qualify as obstruction under Part A of 18.2-460 (Passive Obstruction) in Va.?

In part one of our series on civil disturbances, we talk about Disorderly Conduct - what conduct qualifies and what conduct does not qualify as disorderly conduct in Va.?

This coming week, the Virginia House will consider proposed changes to how courts in Virginia would judge the use of deadly force. We talk about these proposals and what they would mean for Virginia LEOs.

Among the "police reform" bills proposed are a House and a Senate Bill that make violations for marijuana possession and many traffic offenses "secondary offenses" - you cannot stop someone for violations unless you have another offense. We talk about what that might mean and how the proposals are different.

What are "Garrity" rights? What does the 5th Amendment say about economic compulsion? One of the bills that passed the Va. house this week requires that officers answer questions in IA investigations or suffer dismissal, demotion or other sanction. We talk about Garrity and the rules about economic coercion under the 5th Amendment.

The Virginia Senate has passed bills on Assault on Law Enforcement and Search and Seizure, and the the Va. House Courts committee recommended creating several new types of lawsuits against police. What do these proposals mean? We examine them here.

Two new cases raise interesting questions: When is running "Obstruction" and when are police "Trespassing" on property?

You stop a car and get an alert that the passenger may be armed. Can you rely on that? What can you lawfully do? We discuss three cases this week on the "collective knowledge" doctrine.

You stop a car for a traffic violation. A passenger appears to be armed. What can you do? We talk about three recent cases.

Hearing gunshots from a complex with 2 recent homicides and 6 other shootings, you rush to the scene and arrive within 30 seconds of 911 calls for help. People are running everywhere - what can you do? The 4th Circuit's ruling in US v. Curry is fractious and controversial and we discuss it today.

How do you serve a search warrant when a digital device is locked? When is a search warrant "served" under the law when you have to work on the device to get it open? We talk about those issues here today.

Part One of our discussion of Search Warrants for Digital Devices - When do you need to get a Search Warrant for Digital Devices?

What are the legal requirements to obtain the contents of someone's past communications over the phone or Internet? What role does encryption play?

What are the legal requirements to obtain a Pen Register/Trap and Trace Order from an electronic service provider? How does that relate to the Search Warrant for Real Time Location Data?

What are the legal requirements to obtain subscriber data from an electronic service provider?

What are the fundamental concepts you need to know to do electronic evidence investigations?

Ep. 12 of Law for Virginia LEOs - On July 1, the Va. Supreme Court enacted new discovery rules for felony cases. What do you need to know?

Ep. 11 of Law for VA. LEOs: What are the new laws taking effect July 1, and how will they affect your job? Part Two of Two.

Ep. 10 of Law for VA. LEOs: What are the new laws taking effect July 1, and how will they affect your job? Part One of Two.