NOVA Defenders

10/25/2023

If you don’t slow down or move over for an average car, it is considered a primary offense, and you could get a $250 traffic ticket. Read on for details.
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First responders are leading a renewed push to raise awareness and educate drivers about a major law change.

10/24/2023

IT'S THE LAW FOLKS: When people from Maryland cross the border into Virginia, they become subject to the laws of Virginia. For example, Virginia makes it illegal to use a radar detector in one’s car. Thus, a person from Maryland who gets caught using a radar detector in Virginia cannot defend against the charge by claiming he is from Maryland.
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A common misconception among proponents of America’s socialist system of immigration controls is that the libertarian position favoring genuine open borders would mean no borders at all. That’s just wrong. Simply because people are free to cross a border doesn’t mean that the border disappears...

10/20/2023

The Basics of § 18.2-287.4. What may be 'carried' and when.
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The Commonwealth of Virginia has a rich and complex history when it comes to gun rights and regulations. One such regulation, § 18.2-287.4, specifically addresses the issue of carrying loaded fi****ms in public areas, prohibiting certain types of fi****ms and imposing penalties for violations. This...

10/18/2023

And then there was this:
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(The Center Square) — In 2020, the General Assembly passed landmark legislation effective July 1, 2022, that would have shortened the sentences of thousands of Virginia inmates, but the Virginia Supreme Court upheld a later 2022 law on Thursday.

10/16/2023

Please use caution when driving. Distracted driving is a factor in approximately 20% of crashes reported each year in Virginia. With the ever-increasing presence of smartphones and other portable devices in our vehicles, this public safety threat shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon.
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Distracted driving continues to plague Virginia's roadways, putting the lives of drivers and passengers at risk every day. Using a cell phone or engaging with other in-vehicle technologies has become one of the leading causes of vehicle crashes across the Commonwealth. According to the Virginia Depa...

10/12/2023

Individual States' Gun Laws Vary. Here's a Look at Each State's Criteria and Death-Related Stats:
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Though the U.S. Constitution guarantees the right to keep and bear arms. But exactly how far those rights extend – and to whom – has become one of the most polarizing political issues in the United States. A recent survey from the Pew Research Center found that 81% of Democrats and Democratic le...

10/09/2023

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10/06/2023

Tired of phishing emails, especially as the holiday season approaches? ENOUGH IS ENOUGH! Here's how you fight back.
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10/05/2023

During the nationwide scrutiny of police tactics after the 2020 murder of George Floyd, Democratic lawmakers in the Virginia General Assembly passed a law to sharply limit so-called “pretextual” police stops with the goal of reducing racial disparities in traffic enforcement. That law may potentially be revisited.
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Criminal justice reform groups are urging the Virginia Municipal League to abandon a request for the General Assembly to revisit a pretextual stop law.

10/02/2023

New Laws taking effect in MD
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A suite of laws taking effect Sunday includes new rights for victims of child s*x abuse in Maryland and tougher gun laws.

09/29/2023

Many people believe the online world has become a poisonous place for young people. Is more control needed by law enforcement? Read on for details.
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Across the nation, online age verification is a hotter topic than ever. With federal action seemingly stalled, states from Virginia to Utah have passed a wide variety of laws mandating age checks for certain internet activities. Even California has gotten in on the action, with its recent California...

09/27/2023

Do you drive around the Arlington VA area? If so, read on!
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Drivers in Arlington County, Virginia, are now required to come to a complete stop for pedestrians in the crosswalk.

09/22/2023

The fight over Virginia's h**p ban continues. Read on for details
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Farmers, sellers and patients are awaiting a Sept. 29 hearing in Alexandria federal court.

09/20/2023

Thousands of Virginia's tipped workers, a majority of whom are restaurant servers and bartenders, may see wage changes ahead! Read on for details.
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Meanwhile, Prince George's County Councilmember Edward Burroughs says he will introduce a bill to eliminate tip credit this session too.

09/18/2023

Are speed trap laws essential for public safety in Virginia? Read on!
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This article was written with the help of AI. Speed traps—those pesky areas where police are notoriously vigilant about pulling over speeding motorists—have long been a contentious issue. In Virginia, newly implemented speed trap laws are causing a stir among residents, civil liberties organizat...

09/14/2023

When the use of force gets in the way: Windsor VA police department will have to submit to an independent third-party review system for use-of-force complaints and other complaints of serious misconduct alleged against any officer.
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The lawsuit came after an investigation of a controversial 2020 traffic stop involving Caron Nazario, a Black Army lieutenant, who was pepper sprayed by 2 officers.

09/12/2023

If the h**p enforcement law which took effect July 1, is not halted, growers and retailers say they will be forced to shut their doors before the end of the year.
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Lawsuit seeks to block Virginia’s stricter h**p laws FFXnow.com September 8, 2023 at 11:30am Person weighs ma*****na (via Add Weed/Unsplash) Rahul Sharma / Virginia Mercury Two h**p businesses and a private citizen are challenging a Virginia law that instituted tougher limits on h**p products in V...

09/08/2023

Using ma*****na and owning a gun don't mix, says the Feds. Read on for details.
“Until ma*****na is legalized federally, fi****ms owners and possessors should be mindful that it remains federally illegal to mix ma*****na with fi****ms and ammunition,” said ATF’s Acting Special Agent in Charge Jeff Reed.
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Under federal law, it’s illegal to own a gun and use ma*****na, even though the drug is legal in Virginia. Here's why.

09/06/2023

Own a gun? You may want to pay attention to this.
The effect of requiring gun owners to carry liability insurance.
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GOP lawmakers take aim at 'safe places' 6 hrs ago 0 Some Central Florida lawmakers say they are considering “all legislative, legal and executive options available” to stop business owners in a small town from voluntarily displaying rainbow dec… Read moreGOP lawmakers take aim at 'safe places'

09/04/2023

08/31/2023

"When life gives you ashtrays, make a federal case out of it."
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Christiansburg, VA — A seemingly innocent ashtray at Texas Roadhouse has catapulted itself into the limelight, becoming the defendant — well, more like the evidence — in a lawsuit that's been elevated from a county kerfuffle to federal drama.

08/29/2023

Great article on how the 'Freedom of Information Act' works in the Commonwealth, and how it doesn't!
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Withheld cost-benefit analysis of leaving ERIC, working papers exemption in tip line case, and records of ATF shutdown of Madison gun shop

08/25/2023

Own a gun in D.C.? Read on for clarification of their "red flag' gun seizure law.
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The D.C. Attorney General is launching a public awareness campaign about the law that allows people to petition to have guns seized in domestic violence and other situations.

08/23/2023

As of early August, at least seven Virginia h**p sales businesses have received non-compliance letters. What can you buy legally? Read on for details.
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A handful of businesses around Virginia have so far faced fines from state regulators who say the retailers are out of compliance with laws restricting the sales of certain h**p products

08/21/2023

Looking for a can of HRD MTN DEW? You may have to wait a while in Virginia.
Read on:
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THE GIST A Virginia regulator has reached a decision that deals a sizable blow to Boston Beer Company and its business partner, Blue Cloud Distribution, PepsiCo’s new and controversial alcohol division. It effectively bars Blue Cloud from distributing Hard MTN DEW in the state. The ruling is t

08/17/2023

Virginia School Bullying Law is Keeping Parents Informed. Read on for Details.
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FINCASTLE, Va. (WFXR) — Some changes could be coming to school districts across the state as a new law goes into effect this year. Senate Bill 1072 was signed by Gov. Glenn Youngkin in March …

08/15/2023

Biden's Ghost Gun Law to Stay in Place, says Supreme Court.
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This week, the Supreme Court issued an order that allows regulations of ghost guns to remain in place as the use of ghost guns in crimes has spiked by 1000% since 2017, according to the Bureau of A…

08/11/2023

Think you understand the new h**p laws in the Commonwealth? Read on!
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The total civil penalty fines surpass $200,000 across at least seven businesses in Virginia.

08/09/2023

As of the past weekend, bill, SB1515, requires adult sites to take further steps beyond entering a date of birth -- such as making users submit copies of government-issued IDs -- to access websites with pornographic content.
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Recent Google Trends data offers insight into how some Virginians might be bypassing the new age verification law.

08/07/2023

The new law requires hotels to provide human trafficking training to employees. Along with that, a 2021 vacatur law is being put to use (Va. Code §§ 19.2-327.2 et seq. and 19.2-327.10 et seq.). It helps vacate criminal records for human trafficking survivors that acted under the influence of others when committing certain crimes like prostitution.
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Now a few human trafficking-related laws are kicking in. One requires hotels to provide human trafficking training to employees. Another allows survivors to have certain criminal records cleared.

08/03/2023

On July 24, the Mexican Consulate posted a tweet urging its nationals to “take precautions” in D.C. areas previously considered safe! Violent crime is rising sharply, fueled by more homicides and carjackings says local District Police!
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WASHINGTON (AP) — Pamela Smith’s voice soared and quivered like a preacher in midsermon as she recalled her troubled childhood and how it helped prepare her for the challenges she faces as the new …

08/01/2023

And then there was this.
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Mastercard has told financial institutions to stop allowing ma*****na transactions on its debit cards, dealing a blow to an industry already on the fringes of the financial system in the United States.

07/28/2023

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It’s been more than two weeks since stricter h**p laws went into effect in the Commonwealth, and it is already impacting some Virginia business owners.

07/26/2023

With Public Safety in Mind, Virginia Law Has Changed - As of July 1st.
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RICHMOND—A newly amended Virginia law takes some guesswork out of roadway safety. As an expansion of the current “Move Over” law, drivers must now move over or slow down for any vehicle on the side of the road displaying flashing red, blue, amber or hazard lights. The law, first enacted by the...

07/24/2023

For Your Information:
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A new Virginia law will make it easier for first responders to help people in emergencies.

07/20/2023

The business of selling h**p: Any business that manufactures or sells industrial h**p extracts must obtain a license from the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) at a cost of $1,000 per year. Retailers selling unauthorized products or operating without a permit are subject to fines ranging up to $10,000 for each day a violation occurs.
Read on for more details.
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Virginia's new h**p-derived products statutes (Va. Code § 3.2-5145.1 et seq.) went into effect as of July 1, standing to drastically alter the

07/18/2023

Commonwealth prisoner rights have changed. Read on....
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Virginia prisons will have to follow certain restrictions for prisoners housed in solitary confinement starting July 1.

07/14/2023

July 1st has seen changes in many Commonwealth laws. Read on for more information.
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Virginia’s newest laws took effect on July 1, 2023. These laws, passed during the 2023 legislative session, cover a wide range of issues that impact the liv ...

07/12/2023

Driving from the Commonwealth to Maryland for lunch or possibly DC for work. You may want to remember to check local laws if you're carrying any pot products.
NOVA Defenders
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Under federal law, ma*****na is illegal — period. So it’s up to individual states to determine their own regulations and safety standards.

07/10/2023

Stuck at a traffic light that isn't changing? Don't run it! Here's what you can do.
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Ever been stuck at a red light for what feels like forever? Here’s how to know if you need to activate a sensor.