Questions Answered by Bryan J. Jones
Q: Am I in trouble for Fraud if I don't have access to money?
Am I in trouble for Fraud if I leave the founder role in the small group? I'm one of the founder who DOESN'T have any access to the money. There is about $7,000 in total and money comes from people and sponsors. Money is used to put up the website and set up something for member to talk on as well... Read more »
Your question is not clear. If you are saying that $7000 is missing from the group, then you could be charged with fraud if they can show that you took the money. If they cannot show that you can access to the money, then you probably won't be charged. Of course, if you helped someone take the... Read more »
Q: If someone was on video taking from a pawn shop and admited to officer on phone What do they do next?
Officer called and wants to get item and take it back to pawn shop after I call him back at 330 tomorrow. What should I do? I don't know if charges are filed. I figure no if officer told me on phone to call tomorrow. He said not to go or contact pawn shop. I'm a regualr there. They know me well.... Read more »
The officer is likely trying to get you to incriminate yourself. It seems like you'll probably be charged with theft.
Q: My husband has been falsely accused of inappropriately touching a minor. The minor says it happened about 8 years ago.
Its been 8 years ago. Can they realy try to take this to court now on just her accusations?
They can take it to court if they have probable cause to believe a crime was committed. Just because the allegation is eight years old, does not mean they cannot pursue the charge.
Q: Ex admitted during testimony to throwing mail in the trash, a felony. What REALISTIC legal measures can we take now?
Son's ex had him in court today in Virginia for something stupid that was ultimately dismissed. During TESTIMONY she mentioned mail he hadn't know of that she "finally just started throwing it in the trash". A felony! Everyone (judge, attorney, etc.) ignored it to focus on the current case, but now... Read more »
Only the police can charge people with felonies so you would have to report it to the police and ask them to investigate.
Q: Can I video record the exchange of my own child between his mother and myself on public property?
I reside in MD and she resides in NC. We exchange in VA. I want to know if it is legal for me to video the exchange for my own protection?
It's legal as long as it's public and there's no expectation of privacy. You should be careful because the situation could escalate. Most people don't like having cameras in their faces.
Q: Someone recorded our phone conversation without me knowing and shared it with other people
In Virginia you are allowed to record a phone conversation if you are one of the parties to the conversation.
Q: Is it illegal for an adult to tell an adult to kill themselves through a text?
This person knew I had attempted suicide before and was diagnosed Major Depressive because of it. When I reminded her of this, she said to try harder.
I could be. If you encourage someone to commit a crime. There's a high profile case recently, although in a different state, where someone was convicted of a crime for encouraging someone to commit suicide.
Q: I was wondering if i needed a lawyer to fight my case?
Today I got pulled over the officer gave me 3 citations , 1 for reckless too fast for weather condition by the way the officer did not put any mph on my citation, 2 for window tint the car was not mine i had no clue the car was tinted , and 3 for defective equipment he said the car was too low ,... Read more »
It would probably be a good idea to have a lawyer because the reckless driving ticket would be a permanent criminal conviction. There's a chance a lawyer could help you get the ticket reduced to a simple traffic infraction.
Q: What is the likely hood of jail time and for how long for
Domestic assault and battery
Falsifying police report saying someone stabbed you and there's evidence to back it up
It's impossible to say with the little information that you've given. Make sure that you have an attorney to represent you. Your attorney will be able to go over all the facts of the case with you and advise you.
Q: im 17 & slapped a pregnant women , i now have a court date what might happen?
You will probably be put on probation and have to complete counselling and stay out of trouble.
Q: Hi I'm 20 years old and i got a possession of alcohol under 21 charge. The bottle had a sip left. My record is clean
You should have an attorney representing you. If you're convicted, it would be a permanent criminal conviction. If you have a clean record, you are probably eligible for the first offender program. The first offender program is like probation, but if you successfully complete the program, the... Read more »
Q: Is it illegal for a officer to reach in your car without a warrant to grab anything?
I had a blunt roach in my ash tray so small I dont even think it had anything In it and he grabbed it right out of my ash tray without my permission I felt like it was not the right way.
If an officer has probable cause, they can reach into your car and seize evidence. In this case, it appears that the officer probably had probable cause.
Q: I recently got caught shoplifting about 100$ worth of items, they pressed charges & i got charged with petty larceny
What should I expect at court? Jail time? I’m only 18 and always had a clean record
If you have a clean record, you probably will not get active jail time. You may only get a fine. You should contact a local attorney because you may be able to have the charge dismissed so that it's not on your record.
Q: My husband was charged with a misdemeanor for assault and battery while incarcerated. I need resources or legal advice
He is finishing out his sentence for other non related cases at Henrico New Kent Regional Jail in Barhamsville,VA. He also filed a grievance on a correctional officer who touch him inappropriate on his leg to awaken him. The officer violated protocol to awaken inmates. He is awaiting results on the... Read more »
If he's charged with a crime, a lawyer will be appointed to represent him. If he's just charged with an internal jail offense, he will almost certainly not be able to have an attorney assist with that process.
Q: Who would be a good pro bono lawyer for a murder case that happen in 2008?
He was defending himself and he was charge with murder
You should contact the various innocence projects/clinics to see if they can help you.
Q: Im currently fighting 2 felonies 5 misdemeanors. Felonies certified at preliminary, the misdemeanors nolle prosequed
2 days after preliminary 3 of the misdemeanors were direct indicted. Does this mean that the whole trial process has to start over from scratch?
The preliminary hearing is part of the process, but it's not the final trial. The trial is much more involved than the preliminary hearing.
Q: Arrested for a Protective order violation and on the arrest warrant there are no particulars.
On the arrest warrant there is no information on what I did to violate the p.o. and no exact date or time I supposedly violated it? All it say's on the warrant is on or about 08/06/2018 and nothing else. On 08/06 I was in Tysons Corner from 6am to 5pm with my sister and didn't get home until after... Read more »
You will be given the chance to hire an attorney or have an attorney appointed to represent you. At that point, your attorney will be able to get more information about the case. Protective orders can be violated even if you don't have physical contact with someone. If you call, text, or email... Read more »
Q: Criminal case file
Can I request a copy of my case file? If so, are there any rules that govern this request?
Probably not. You're attorney may be able to review the file, but prosecutors in Virginia are not required to turn over your case file.
Q: If two people are fighting and both are threatening each other but one continues can either be charged
My boyfriend and ex-boyfriend got into a text fight. They both threatened each other and told each other that they want to beat each other up but later my ex-boyfriend is the only one who continued. Can my ex-boyfriend be charged with harresment or criminal threats.
If they both made threats, they could both be charged. It's not a guarantee that they will be charged because it depends on the content of the texts.
Q: My husbands ex wife has recently accused me of “stalking her neighborhood”, I haven’t, what should I do, if anything?
We live nearly two hours away, and has threatened to call her lawyer if the “behavior doesn’t stop”. She’s probably going to see “my vehicle” (I don’t own nor have I ever owned the vehicle she saw) again and call her attorney, despite my husband telling her it’s impossible that... Read more »
If you feel threatened by her, you may be able to get a protective order against her. The requirement to get a protected order is that she has placed you in imminent fear. That may be difficult if the only thing she is threatening is criminal charges. You should also avoid any contact with her.
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