Supreme Court-appointed Working Group Recommends Expanding The Court Of Appeals
The Chair of the Supreme Court-appointed working group had reached out to attorney Sheldon in August with several questions. Its a very impressive group and an important and significant report. This is clearly the biggest suggested change in the Virginia Judiciary...
Long Overdue Reform Bill Moves Virginia Into The Majority Of States
For all of Virginia’s history, the Commonwealth has used jury sentencing in criminal trials. This use of jury sentencing in criminal trials appears to be nearing the end. With a vote in the House of Delegates on October 23, 2020, Virginia is finally poised to follow...
Courts Are Becoming More Willing To Question The Application Of Qualified Immunity For Police Officers
A sheriff’s deputy from Pulaski county was found to not have qualified immunity for mistakenly charging a woman with drug distribution. Qualified Immunity is a judicially created doctrine that gives certain government officials immunity from civil suits related to...
New Signature Requirement Will Reduce Needless Dismissals Of Cases
The Virginia General Assembly recently made procedural changes to the signature requirement of pleadings. The new change says that pleadings that are not properly signed are defective and voidable. Though opposing counsel needs to raise an objection in a timely manner...
Separation Of Powers Issue Eventually Needs To Be Decided By The Supreme Court Of Virginia
An Arlington Circuit Court Judge has recently rejected a plea deal because it “went to easy” on a defendant. The same Arlington Circuit Court Judge recently tried to limit the discretion of prosecutors to unilaterally get rid of penalties for minor drug crimes. The...
Prosecution Allowed To Go Forward After Challenge Due To Judicial Interpretation Of New Immunity Statute
Virginia recently passed a new law that granted immunity to people who called the police about a possible overdose. The new law defines overdose as “life-threatening condition” caused by alcohol or drug use or a combination of both. Before this new law, it was common...
Sheldon Challenges Criminal Conviction of Former UVa Lacrosse Player
Washington law firm of Consovoy McCarthy PLLC and Fairfax lawyer Jonathan Sheldon petitioned the court for a writ of habeas corpus stating “Although sensationalist press coverage falsely portrayed this case as a brutal, intentional killing, the actual evidence...
Honoring the Life of Jerry Givens, an Executioner-Turned-Abolitionist
Jonathan P Sheldon became a close friend of Jerry Givens when he encouraged Givens to share his story. Given's remarkable and unconventional story explains his transformation from an executioner working for the Virginia Department of Corrections to a powerful figure...
Navigating the Virginia Criminal Justice System
Navigating the Virginia Criminal Justice System, from Arrest to Sentencing Have you, a friend or family member been charged with a crime in the City of Alexandria, Arlington, Fairfax, Prince William, Loudoun or elsewhere in Virginia? You probably realize by now that...