In Virginia, an issue that occurs in a school could potentially end up in the juvenile justice system. According to data released by the state of Virginia, approximately 40 percent of all disorderly conduct complaints filed against juveniles were filed by teachers, public safety officers, or other school officials. Increasingly, disciplinary matters that used to…

When a child or teen commits a crime, many people assume that they will not face serious consequences due to their young age. However, in our state, juvenile crime is taken very seriously by both school and state officials. A young person could face a juvenile criminal offense with severe consequences that affect them well…

Nowadays, many young people feel like they can hide behind their computer screens or phones and say anything they want to without consequences. In Virginia, making threats can result in criminal charges, even if the person making the threats did not act on them. Under Virginia law, issuing a threat of harm in writing or…

Friday night high school football is a popular pastime for many families across Virginia. However, players can sometimes let their emotions get the best of them and end up in a physical altercation (aka a brawl). According to police, at least 20 high school football players ended up in a violent brawl after a football…

Teens are known for getting into trouble, and many people dismiss their actions as “harmless fun” and “kids being kids.” However, these actions can result in criminal charges and significant consequences. For example, Virginia is known for its rich history, and there are a number of historical monuments and memorials all over the state to…

Bullying has long been considered an unfortunate part of childhood and has made life difficult for many young people. Some are not aware that bullying can be considered a crime here and can result in serious punishments. In our state, bullying refers to intentional or repetitive actions that are physical, verbal, or emotional in nature.…

According to Virginia state law, maliciously injuring another person is against the law and can result in serious consequences. According to a recent report, a 13-year-old boy is now facing a charge of malicious bodily injury by means of any caustic substance after an alleged altercation with another teen went too far. Juvenile criminal offense…

Across America, laws are constantly created and changed on both the state and federal level. As of July 1, over 800 new laws went into effect in the state of Virginia, some of which impact the state’s criminal justice system and juvenile justice system. One such rule involves the threshold of grand larceny. Generally, the…

Young people often get into trouble when they end up in places they are not supposed to be. In fact, the act of unlawfully entering a property itself could result in a charge of criminal trespass. According to Virginia trespassing laws, you are not permitted to enter another person’s land or building without their permission.…

As far as alcohol-related crimes go, drunk driving receives by far the most attention. However, for young adults and children under the age of 21, even possessing or drinking alcohol can result in criminal charges. While drinking underage is fairly common nowadays, it is still a crime and can result in serious consequences. Over the…