The Law Office of Susan E. Allen, Attorney at Law, PLLC
Legal Blog
Why college students are at special risk when facing drug charges
Criminal charges can affect some people far more than others. College students are some of the most vulnerable people when it comes to the impact of a charge on their life and their future. If you are a student or the parent of a college student, you probably already...
Heroin-related drug charges could cost you your freedoms
Drug charges can lead to serious penalties for those who are involved. Heroin, in particular, is one drug that the state is looking to get off the streets. While other types of opioids may have medical uses, heroin is an illegal street drug with the potential to cause...
How do you get your gun rights back after a felony?
You were young when you got into trouble with the law. As a result of multiple arrests and convictions, you ended up losing your right to possess a firearm. You lost your civil rights. You are living a limited life, even though you served your time in prison and paid...
Pulled over for suspicion of DUI? Now What?
Not only is driving under the influence of alcohol against the law, but it’s extremely dangerous. Alcohol impairs your ability to safely operate a motor vehicle, thus putting you and others at risk of serious injury or even death. Police throughout the state of...
What are the penalties for a probation violation?
If you are on probation, it is critical that you follow the terms and conditions of your probation to avoid additional trouble. A violation is serious, and depending on the circumstances, you could find yourself facing a variety of far-reaching consequences. There are...
Expunging Your Record
Because the police and prosecutors sometimes arrest and prosecute without getting a conviction, and having an arrest record for any crime is not conducive to obtaining the job you are seeking, the General Assembly has devised a way to remove this blemish from your...
The Cops Want to Talk To You…Now What?
The Cops Want to Talk To You...Now What? You have no real idea why he's standing in front of you, but there he is...a detective with the local police department. He says he wants to "clear up" a few things and you have no way to know why he thinks you have any...
Expungement and Being a “First Offender”
In Virginia, you may seek an expungement if you are charged with the commission of a crime and (1) are acquitted, or (2) [a] nolle prosequi is taken or the charge is otherwise dismissed, including dismissal by accord and satisfaction pursuant to § 19.2-151. Va. Code §...
Confidentiality of Records in Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court
Although Virginia recognizes that juvenile offenders must be treated differently from adults, and place more emphasis on alternatives to incarceration, juveniles charged with criminal offenses can still face serious, potentially life-long consequences. Because the...
DMV and Demerit Points
When you are convicted of a traffic offense, DMV will probably assess "Demerit Points." If you accumulate 12 demerit points in 12 months, or 18 points in 24 months, you will be required to go to a driver improvement clinic and complete the driving clinic within 90...