You are placed under arrest and your mind is racing. You are confused, scared and unsure of what to say or do. Your heart races, as it gets harder to breathe normally. You have seen this process before on television and in the movies, but you never imagined...
Wheeling Criminal Law Blog
What determines felony or misdemeanor drug charges and penalties
Penalties for possession of controlled substances in West Virginia are relatively lenient compared to those in other states. People who face charges of possession of controlled substances in West Virginia may be able to avoid jail time depending on the circumstances....
West Virginia and the death penalty
Many states currently allow for a sentence of death for certain crimes, most notably murder. The federal government also practices the death penalty. However, each state has the right to decide if it will allow this punishment. According to the West Virginia...
Can a failed field sobriety test get you convicted?
When officers check West Virginia residents for BAC levels, what tests do they use? Field sobriety tests are common. In fact, this is often the "first line" of testing. But what if you fail a field sobriety test? Is a failed test result enough for a court to convict...
What are some examples of criminal internet activity?
The internet connected computers from West Virginia to others all over the world. The anonymous nature of the web also created many new possibilities for criminal activity. Most internet crimes, or cybercrimes, are just new methods of committing the same offenses...
Understanding BAC breath tests
Most drivers know if asked by law enforcement to submit during a suspected drunk driving stop, they must provide a breath sample for testing. However, many do not understand how these tests work or the factors that may affect them. The blood alcohol content levels...
A car crash after a bar crawl has serious consequences
A round of shots during happy hour after work or a Saturday night out at the club is all in good fun until someone makes the dangerous decision to drive home drunk. In the best of circumstances, you and your friends will make it home safely. However, drunk driving can...
What is an open warrant?
You could get an open warrant for a lot of things, whether it is committing a new crime or maybe you failed to appear for court. Those are the main ways you can get a warrant. According to Legal Beagle, once you have an open warrant, it means that law enforcement has...
What is a statute of limitations?
Being accused of any crime is no small matter, but it is important to understand all of the laws involved with the criminal process. One of the most crucial laws is the statute of limitations. The statute of limitations determines how much time can have passed between...
Distracted driving risks of ignition interlock devices
Most people might assume that any penalty associated with a criminal offense may focus on increased safety. This may come in the form of preventing future offenses or directing less risky behaviors. An example of this may be the frequently required use of ignition...