Weekly Edition
Will the VSB renew Fastcase?
By Deborah Elkins
September 1, 2008
You’ve done your research and you’re ready to represent your client, a Virginia Beach night club, in a challenge to the local noise ordinance.
Case law in hand, you head to court.
There may not be controlling Virginia authority, but using your Virginia State Bar Fastcase account, you found a Wisconsin case to cite to the judge.
Excuse […]
Court-appointed lawyers finally filing fee waivers
By Alan Cooper
September 1, 2008
Virginia’s court-appointed criminal defense attorneys appear to be finally getting with the program.
They are filing their fee forms asking for a waiver of Virginia’s caps on court-appointed fees.
That’s a great relief to Betsy Wells Edwards of the Virginia Fair Trial Project, who helped coordinate the efforts of bar organizations to win limited relief last […]
Social guest can sue apartment complex
By Alan Cooper
September 1, 2008
A social guest can proceed on his claim that the owner of an apartment complex is liable for injuries inflicted on him by a trespasser at the complex, a Loudoun County judge has ruled.
The claim grew out of a slashing at The Glen, an apartment complex in Leesburg owned and managed by Town and Country […]
Professional negligence claim against engineering firm OK
By Peter Vieth
September 1, 2008
The owners of a parking lot damaged under the weight of heavy trash trucks can sue the engineering firm that designed the lot for professional negligence.
The reason: the economic loss rule.
The case is Central Park Drive, LLC v. Rinker Design Assocs. (VLW 008-8-181) with an opinion letter written by Fairfax Circuit Judge Bruce D. […]
Suit over property owners’ group nixed
By Peter Vieth
September 1, 2008
A lawsuit that sought the breakup of a 2,700-member property owners’ association near Winchester has been tossed out of court.
Frederick County Circuit Judge John R. Prosser ruled in open court Tuesday that a Virginia property owners’ association is not invalidated merely because of differences in the language of various deeds of dedication. […]
Lawyers in the News
By Sarah Rodriguez
September 1, 2008
Edward E. Nicholas has joined the Richmond office of Vandeventer Black. Nicholas concentrates his law practice in construction, business and commercial litigation, insurance litigation and professional liability defense. His construction practice focuses on the defense of design professionals against personal injury and economic loss claims. His litigation practice focuses on commercial insurance coverage and […]
Man who shot wife with crossbow sentenced to life
By News in Brief
September 1, 2008
VIRGINIA BEACH—A Virginia Beach man convicted of killing his wife with a crossbow in 2006 has been sentenced to life in prison.
Kenneth Creamer was sentenced last week in the death of Anna Creamer. A jury convicted the 47-year-old of first-degree murder in June.
Creamer had claimed he accidentally shot the crossbow arrow into his […]
Fort Lee officials deal with illegal immigrants
By News in Brief
September 1, 2008
PETERSBURG—Officials at Fort Lee are dealing with an increase in illegal immigrant arrests.
Sixty-two illegal immigrants have been arrested so far this year while trying to enter the base, compared to 15 in all of 2006. There were 89 arrests last year.
Fort Lee Police Chief Joseph Metzger says most have been Hispanics who were […]
Roanoke cop is acquitted of wounding teenage boy
By News in Brief
September 1, 2008
ROANOKE—A Roanoke Circuit Court judge has acquitted a city police officer of a charge of unlawful wounding of a 17-year-old boy.
Judge William Broadhurst said after hearing evidence last week that Officer Daniel Meyer had reason to fear harm.
On Feb. 14, Meyer stopped a vehicle because of an issue with its registration. Police said […]
Portsmouth police chief will stay, just a little bit longer
By News in Brief
September 1, 2008
PORTSMOUTH—Interim Portsmouth Police Chief William Corvello has agreed to stay on the job several more months, reversing a decision to step down at the start of September.
Corvello agreed last week to extend his time until at least January.
He had said that a key reason he’s resigning is that the department has had to […]
IMPORTANT OPINIONS
- Traffic Offenses - Bifurcated Trial ‘Notice’ DNA in Traffic Court
- Tort - Telecom Company Can Sue for Business Conspiracy
- Tort - Government Not Liable for Stability Test
- Search & Seizure - Vague Affidavit Cannot Support Warrant
- Search & Seizure - Invalid Warrant - Affidavit Specificity
- Negligence - FELA - Wrongful Death - Release