Virginia Case Commentaries

Reaffirming Constructive Possession Standards for Felons: Smallwood v. Commonwealth of Virginia

Date: Nov 6, 2009

Reaffirming Constructive Possession Standards for Felons: Smallwood v. Commonwealth of Virginia Introduction In William S. Smallwood v. Commonwealth of Virginia, 278 Va. 625 (2009), the Supreme Court...

Common Law Duty of Care for Hosts of Minor Guests: Kellermann v. McDonough

Date: Nov 6, 2009

Common Law Duty of Care for Hosts of Minor Guests: Kellermann v. McDonough (Supreme Court of Virginia, 2009) Introduction Kellermann v. McDonough is a seminal case adjudicated by the Supreme Court of...

Final Judgment Effective Despite Subsequent Orders: Clarification on Notice of Appeal Timelines in Virginia

Date: Nov 6, 2009

Final Judgment Effective Despite Subsequent Orders: Clarification on Notice of Appeal Timelines in Virginia Introduction The case of Debra A. Hutchins, M.D., et al. v. Rita Talbert (278 Va. 650)...

Affirmation of Intent to Distribute Drug Possession Based on Circumstantial Evidence: Williams v. Commonwealth of Virginia

Date: Jun 5, 2009

Affirmation of Intent to Distribute Drug Possession Based on Circumstantial Evidence: Williams v. Commonwealth of Virginia Introduction Ricky C. Williams v. Commonwealth of Virginia, 278 Va. 190,...

Williams v. Joynes: Clarifying Superseding Cause in Legal Malpractice

Date: Jun 5, 2009

Williams v. Joynes: Clarifying Superseding Cause in Legal Malpractice Introduction In Williams v. Joynes, 278 Va. 57 (2009), the Supreme Court of Virginia addressed critical issues surrounding legal...

Legislative Intent and Double Jeopardy in Multiple Homicide Convictions: Analysis of Kelly D. PAYNE v. COMmonwealth of Virginia

Date: Apr 18, 2009

Legislative Intent and Double Jeopardy in Multiple Homicide Convictions: Analysis of Kelly D. PAYNE v. COMmonwealth of Virginia Introduction The case Kelly Dinelle PAYNE v. COMmonwealth of Virginia...

Intentional Contact Under Protective Orders: Elliott v. Commonwealth of Virginia

Date: Apr 18, 2009

Intentional Contact Under Protective Orders: Elliott v. Commonwealth of Virginia Introduction The case of Ralph Alphonso Elliott, Jr. v. Commonwealth of Virginia examines the boundaries of protective...

Affirmation of Invited Error Doctrine in Lesser-Included Offenses: Rowe v. Commonwealth of Virginia

Date: Apr 18, 2009

Affirmation of Invited Error Doctrine in Lesser-Included Offenses: Rowe v. Commonwealth of Virginia Introduction Rowe v. Commonwealth of Virginia is a pivotal case decided by the Supreme Court of...

Alibi Instructions in Criminal Trials: Establishing Clear Guidelines

Date: Feb 28, 2009

Alibi Instructions in Criminal Trials: Establishing Clear Guidelines Introduction The case of Jerry Lynn Cooper, A/K/A Gerald Lynn Cooper v. Commonwealth of Virginia (673 S.E.2d 185) addresses a...

Establishing Probable Cause through Reliable Narcotics Detection Dog Alerts: Fairley D. Jones v. Commonwealth of Virginia

Date: Jan 17, 2009

Establishing Probable Cause through Reliable Narcotics Detection Dog Alerts: Fairley D. Jones v. Commonwealth of Virginia Introduction Fairley D. Jones v. Commonwealth of Virginia is a pivotal case...

Admissibility of Juvenile Records for Prior Felony Convictions: McMillan v. Commonwealth of Virginia

Date: Jan 17, 2009

Admissibility of Juvenile Records for Prior Felony Convictions: McMillan v. Commonwealth of Virginia Introduction WILLIS ALEXANDER McMILLAN v. COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA is a pivotal case adjudicated...

Enhancing Burden of Proof in Breach of Contract Claims: Sunrise Continuing Care, LLC v. James F. Wright

Date: Jan 17, 2009

Enhancing Burden of Proof in Breach of Contract Claims: Sunrise Continuing Care, LLC v. James F. Wright Introduction The case of Sunrise Continuing Care, LLC v. James F. Wright, et al. (277 Va. 148)...

Establishing Valuation Thresholds in Grand Larceny: Insights from Richard L. Britt v. Commonwealth of Virginia

Date: Nov 1, 2008

Establishing Valuation Thresholds in Grand Larceny: Insights from Richard L. Britt v. Commonwealth of Virginia Introduction The case of Richard L. Britt v. Commonwealth of Virginia (276 Va. 569)...

Virginia Supreme Court Clarifies Limitations on Constructive Fraud Claims: Future Promises Do Not Constitute Fraud

Date: Sep 13, 2008

Virginia Supreme Court Clarifies Limitations on Constructive Fraud Claims: Future Promises Do Not Constitute Fraud Introduction In the case of Supervalu, Inc., et al. v. Jonathan F. Johnson (276 Va....

Affirmation of Statutes of Limitation in Mortgage Fraud Cases: Schmidt v. Household Finance Corp.

Date: Jun 7, 2008

Affirmation of Statutes of Limitation in Mortgage Fraud Cases: Schmidt v. Household Finance Corp. Introduction In the landmark case of Schmidt v. Household Finance Corporation, II, d/b/a Household...

Porter v. Commonwealth of Virginia: Affirmation of Capital Murder Conviction and Death Sentence

Date: Jun 7, 2008

Porter v. Commonwealth of Virginia: Affirmation of Capital Murder Conviction and Death Sentence Introduction The Supreme Court of Virginia, in the case of Thomas Alexander Porter v. Commonwealth of...

Probable Cause Standards in Sexually Violent Predator Commitments: Insights from COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA v. KENNETH EDWARD JACKSON

Date: Jun 7, 2008

Probable Cause Standards in Sexually Violent Predator Commitments: Insights from COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA v. KENNETH EDWARD JACKSON Introduction COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA v. KENNETH EDWARD JACKSON...

Limits on Pat-Down Searches during Traffic Stops: McCAIN v. COMMONWEALTH

Date: Apr 19, 2008

Limits on Pat-Down Searches during Traffic Stops: McCAIN v. COMMONWEALTH Introduction Parties Involved: Tyrone Junior McCain (Appellant) vs. Commonwealth of Virginia (Appellee). Court: Supreme Court...

Clarifying Appellate Procedure: The Non-Jurisdictional Nature of Rule 5A:20(e) in Jay v. Commonwealth and James v. Commonwealth

Date: Apr 19, 2008

Clarifying Appellate Procedure: The Non-Jurisdictional Nature of Rule 5A:20(e) in Jay v. Commonwealth and James v. Commonwealth Introduction The Supreme Court of Virginia's decision in Robert Lee Jay...

Sixth Amendment Rights and Summary Contempt Adjudications: Analysis of GILMAN v. COMmonwealth

Date: Mar 1, 2008

Sixth Amendment Rights and Summary Contempt Adjudications: Analysis of GILMAN v. COMmonwealth Introduction Tina GILMAN v. COMmonwealth of Virginia, 275 Va. 222 (Sup. Ct. Va. Feb. 29, 2008), addresses...