So you’ve been charged with a crime. Naturally, you are asking yourself, “Will I ever be able to get this off of my record?” The process of having your record cleared is called “expungement.” You have likely heard the term before. Perhaps you had a friend have his or her charges expunged.  Perhaps your circumstances […]

Virginia Code 18.2-51 prohibits malicious and unlawful wounding: If any person maliciously shoot, stab, cut, or wound any person or by any means cause him bodily injury, with the intent to maim, disfigure, disable, or kill, he shall, except where it is otherwise provided, be guilty of a Class 3 felony. If such act be […]

In our opinion, Virginia’s Disorderly Conduct statute is confusing, and people find themselves charged even though their behavior may not meet the legal definition. This is especially prevalent in cases dealing with juvenile defendants. If you or someone you know is charged with disorderly conduct, it’s important to contact an attorney to protect your rights. […]

In Virginia, both Resisting Arrest and Assault on Law Enforcement charges are very serious. They are also very different. If you’ve been charged with either, here’s some useful information. How does Virginia define Resisting Arrest? First, let’s discuss Resisting Arrest (“Resisting”). Under Virginia Code Section 18.2-460, Resisting is essentially “fleeing” from an officer when the […]

More and more, I’m seeing individuals charged with assault on law enforcement officer(assault on LEO) here in Northern Virginia. This happens most often when police investigate a suspect for an unrelated offense, and that suspect is not as polite as law enforcement would prefer. The problem is that assault on LEO is a serious felony […]

This article is an in depth, practical discussion of Virginia Protective Order Law.  James Abrenio has been handling Protective Order cases in Northern Virginia for over a decade, and this article was written to answer some of the most common questions he’s received over that time.  The information provided here is meant to be a […]

Contributing to the delinquency of a minor is a very serious charge in Virginia.  If you or a family member is facing charges in Northern Virginia, take some time to read this article.  What is Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor in Virginia? Virginia Code Section 18.2-371 defines Contributing to the Delinquency of a […]

Over the past several years, Abrenio Law has seen an increase in child-abuse charges filed against parents for Child Spanking. In many instances, charges arise from allege spanking that only years earlier would have seemed clearly within the realm of legal behavior.  For you parents, you need to be aware that Virginia’s Child Spanking Laws […]

Caring for a child can be one of the most rewarding experiences in life. It can also land you in serious trouble with law enforcement if things go wrong. What may seem as a simple mistake to a parent or caregiver may be interpreted as child abuse by law enforcement or medical personnel. And in […]

If you’re facing a Virginia Domestic Assault charge, below is some useful information you’ll need to know. Also, if you haven’t visted our Domestic Assault Practice Page, take some time to learn more your situation by clicking here. What is Domestic Assault in Virginia? Virginia’s Domestic Assault statute is Va Code Section 18.2-57.2. Notably, the […]