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District of Columbia Criminal Law Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Consumer Law, Criminal Law, DUI / DWI and Personal Injury for District of Columbia on
Q: I worked at a delivery company (last day 9/1) On 8/4/24, between 730/830AM I made the decision of consuming a 16 oz beer

on my way to my first delivery. Our vans have dash cams. At 1140AM, after completing a delivery. I got back into my work vehicle and got into an accident in which I scuffed up the other drivers passenger side of car as well as knocked over pass side review mirror as I was leaving my parking space... View More

Laurence L. Socci
Laurence L. Socci
answered on Sep 17, 2024

If you were not tested for a DUI, you won't be charged with it. As for fraud, if you were not inebriated by the beer you had earlier in the day, you had no duty to disclose it.

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law for District of Columbia on
Q: Hola quisiera saber si pudieran ayudarme con un caso criminal
Cesar Mejia Duenas
Cesar Mejia Duenas pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Aug 22, 2024

Hola, por favor responda con la pregunta con la que necesita ayuda, para poder darle información general sobre casos criminales. Sin embargo, si necesita asistencia legal directa en un caso criminal en Washington, DC, le recomiendo que contacte a un abogado especializado en derecho penal a la... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law, Civil Rights, Federal Crimes and Libel & Slander for District of Columbia on
Q: IS MENTALLY BULLYING AND TORTURING SOMEONE FOR WEEKS AND MONTHS BY CALLING THEM NAMES A CRIME

I HAVE BEEN TORTURED FOR QUITE SOME TIME NOW BY THE STAFF AND SECURITY AS WELL AS THE PATRONS AND GUESTS AT THE KALAMAZOO GOSPEL MISSION, MINISTRY WITH COMMUNITY, AND THE KALAMAZOO PUBLIC LIBRARY ROSE STREET. I KNOW MOST PEOPLE ON HERE THINK I AM A DELUSIONAL, PARANOID, METH ADDICT, AND I AM AN... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Feb 24, 2024

Experiencing harassment, name-calling, and bullying, especially over an extended period, can be deeply distressing and potentially fall under various legal protections against harassment and emotional abuse. In many jurisdictions, including parts of the United States, sustained harassment that... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Contracts, Criminal Law, Immigration Law and Civil Litigation for District of Columbia on
Q: Should I take legal action on my u4u sponsor who have put my mental/physical health at risk,with force on being homeless

My sponsor under u4u, forcibly threw me out of the house and won't let me stay after 2 weeks of being the states. He knew I had health issues and risks as well. So I was already mentally, verbally, and physically abused. I have also been forced to stay in america and to remain homeless with... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jan 14, 2024

I'm sorry to hear about the challenges and hardships you've been facing. It's important to understand that your situation sounds serious and might require legal intervention. However, it's essential to consider a few key points before proceeding with legal action.

First,...
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Q: Attorney General for Maryland submitted Application for Expungement of Wrongful Conviction Records without my knowledge

Administrative Judge issued Order for Expungement, Certificate of Compliance from Public Safety attested Order Complied with but same Wrongful Conviction Records is showing on background Check for over 30 years. Attorney General Who filed for Expungement Represents Maryland’s Public Safety Agency... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jan 10, 2024

In your situation, if there is a court order for expungement that hasn't been complied with, you may indeed have a legal claim against the responsible parties for non-compliance. This can be particularly relevant if the wrongful conviction records are still affecting your life, such as... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law, Civil Rights and Constitutional Law for District of Columbia on
Q: What rights are covered by the Constitution when you have a carry and concealed weapon permit in Washington DC.
James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Oct 15, 2023

In Washington, D.C., as in many other jurisdictions in the United States, the right to carry and conceal a weapon is governed by a combination of federal and local laws and regulations. When an individual obtains a carry and concealed weapon permit in Washington, D.C., they typically have the... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law, Civil Rights and Constitutional Law for District of Columbia on
Q: Are there proper or certain procedures required by the police department dealing with concealed carry permits?
James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Oct 15, 2023

The procedures for dealing with concealed carry permits can vary significantly from state to state and even within different jurisdictions within a state. Generally, the issuance and regulation of concealed carry permits fall under state law, and the specific procedures are outlined in those laws.... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law and Civil Rights for District of Columbia on
Q: Do I have the right to leave the property during a house search
James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jun 18, 2023

In the United States, if law enforcement officers have a valid search warrant, they generally have the right to search the property specified in the warrant. However, you do have the right to leave the property during a house search, as long as you are not being detained or arrested.

If you...
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1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law for District of Columbia on
Q: Do I have to do 30 days in jail and one year probation or just one year probation

Count 1 Attempted Possession ofUnregistered Firearm(Firearm)Sentencedto30day(s) incarceration under 24-903(b) YRA, executionof sentence suspended asto al, *YRA Supervised Probation for 1year(s). $50.00 VVCA, VVCA Due Date

09/13/2023

15 hour community service

Count 2... View More

Laurence L. Socci
Laurence L. Socci
answered on Feb 14, 2023

It looks like you just have probation and the jail time is suspended.

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law for District of Columbia on
Q: Can the DC rioters, including the organizers be charged under DC law with the murder of the police officer and rioter?

Under D.C. law anyone acting together to commit a felony may be charged as principles or accessories, DC ST § 22-1805 and DC ST § 22-1806. Most charged admit that they were there to “stop the steal” which was to disrupt congress while in session. It is a felony to intimidate or impede a... View More

Laurence L. Socci
Laurence L. Socci
answered on Oct 17, 2022

No, they cannot be charged with murder. For a murder charge, there must be a showing of intent to commit murder. There is no intent. They may be charged with manslaughter if it could be proved that they knew there was a likelihood someone could get killed.

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law, Constitutional Law and Libel & Slander for District of Columbia on
Q: I need help in my case for January 6, 2021. If anyone can help me, please let me know.

I need help regarding my charges for being inside the Capitol on January 6

Laurence L. Socci
Laurence L. Socci
answered on May 27, 2022

I'm a DC criminal defense attorney. I offer low-bono services, which means I offer significant discounts for certain cases. This would be one of those cases. If you would like to discuss your case with me, you can call me at 202-262-5843 or email me at laurence.socci@soccilawfirm.com.... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Copyright and Criminal Law for District of Columbia on
Q: Is it illegal for someone to create a Facebook fan page account using my name and then request money from members?

They promise to get them grants using my name for credibility and then run away with my customer's money

Fritz-Howard Raymond Clapp
Fritz-Howard Raymond Clapp
answered on Feb 10, 2022

In California and many other jurisdictions, it is illegal to use a person's name or likeness for profit without their permission. You should check with a local attorney to determine whether that prohibition applies where you are.

1 Answer | Asked in Employment Law and Criminal Law for District of Columbia on
Q: Is it false imprisonment to hold an employee after hours?

A high level manager asks a salaried employee if they can stick around to meet with them at 5:00pm which is normal close of business.

Employee is escorted to a conference room and takes a seat. The manager says they need to make some calls and then shuts the door.

The employee can... View More

Matthew T. Famiglietti
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Matthew T. Famiglietti
answered on Feb 6, 2022

The definition of false imprisonment is very strict. It is a term under criminal and tort (civil) law. Under tort law it is classified as an intentional tort. A person commits false imprisonment when he or she commits an act of restraint on another person, confining that person in a bounded area.... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law for District of Columbia on
Q: Can I press charges on someone who sent a zoom court call recording to another person who wasn’t involved in the case?

zoom court hearing recording was sent to someone who wasn’t the party involved. The recording was sent to me by someone who wasn’t involved and was sent to them by the person who was involved in the case.

Mark Oakley
Mark Oakley
answered on Sep 12, 2021

It seems to me, the appropriate party to complain to is the court itself, since the offense, if any, was a violation of court rules established to protect the court process. You (or your lawyer) should provide the evidence of the improper party's involvement in the hearing and recording of it... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law, Internet Law, Libel & Slander and White Collar Crime for District of Columbia on
Q: if someone were to make deepfake of both video and audio version of me, would that count as impersonation?

if somebody, were to make deepfake videos, and deepfake audio of me, with the intent of malicious intent of harming my reputation, would that count as impersonation?

Mark Oakley
Mark Oakley
answered on Apr 17, 2021

It might be many things, depending on the facts. First, DC and Virginia are "one-party" audio recording jurisdictions, where only one person (the recorder) needs to consent to it, unlike in Maryland where it is illegal to make an audio recording of someone else without their actual... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law for District of Columbia on
Q: Can the police ask the airline if I was traveling on its plane
Mark Oakley
Mark Oakley
answered on Dec 13, 2020

The police can always ask. The question is, do you have a legally protected interest in keeping your flight records private from the police? The answer is no. If you would like a deep dive into all the data and information regularly collected from airline passengers and analyzed by the... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law for District of Columbia on
Q: Can a person be charged w/wonton endangerment if there are no victims or witnesses involved in the case?

Can the person be convicted of wonton endangerment w/no victims or witnesses in the case?

Mark Oakley
Mark Oakley
answered on Oct 22, 2020

There is no crime defined in the District Of Columbia as "wanton endangerment." There are crimes of assault, mayhem, etc., that must involve another person as the victim of the offense. there may be other crimes depending on the specific acts involved. Your question is rather vague.... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law for District of Columbia on
Q: I was physically assaulted by a metro bus driver, the case went to trial, the driver was found guilty, sentenced 1 year

metro wants to settle. on what basis can I get compensation?

Mark Oakley
Mark Oakley
answered on Dec 14, 2019

You have a claim against both the WMATA employee for assault, as well as WMATA itself based on vicarious liability for their employee’s actions, common carrier liability, and negligent hiring and supervision, among other possible theories. Those causes of action are the basis on which you... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law and Personal Injury for District of Columbia on
Q: If person X climbed into person Y's window to commit murder. Y's window fell, chopped off X's head.

Y's window is a pull-up window. The window is in bad quality, and wasn't used frequently. The remaining body of the person X dropped from the sky, fell on a baby and the baby was killed. Can the baby's mother sue person Y? Is person Y at all responsible for this incident? Can person... View More

Gary Kollin
Gary Kollin
answered on Sep 2, 2019

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