Posted on May 07, 2025 in Criminal Defense

The distinction between a misdemeanor and a felony is important to understand in Virginia. Many crimes fall under the umbrella of only one or the other, but other crimes have the potential to be charged as both. If you are facing criminal charges, it is important that you understand the difference between the two and what types of penalties you may be facing.

Felony charges, such as most violent crimes, carry harsher sentences and can cause negative collateral consequences to your life after you are done serving your sentence. They will result in your loss of certain civil liberties, such as your right to possess firearms or vote. The law generally punishes misdemeanors less severely than felonies, but they also can have serious consequences for housing, employment, and eligibility for social services.

If you were recently charged with a misdemeanor or felony, you should speak with an experienced Bristow, Virginia criminal defense attorney immediately.

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 Posted on May 02, 2025 in Delivery Driver Accidents

Crashes with an Amazon delivery van can cause life-threatening injuries and the potential for permanent disability. Victims could get compensated for their damages through a personal injury claim, but there is often confusion about who is responsible for paying for those damages.

If you have been involved in an accident with an Amazon delivery driver, you do not have to manage such a difficult situation alone. A Fairfax County, Virginia personal injury lawyer can advocate for your rights and fight for the payment you deserve. At Whitlock Law, we are prepared to provide you with tenacious representation in an Amazon accident claim. We have tried over 100 cases in court, so you can rest assured that we will not settle for anything less than what you deserve.

Is Amazon Liable for Accidents Involving Delivery Drivers?

Amazon hires some of its delivery drivers as independent contractors; however, most of the people delivering Amazon packages in Amazon trucks are hired through Delivery Service Partners, separate companies that work with Amazon to get packages delivered. This can lead to complicated questions about who is responsible for an accident with an Amazon delivery driver.

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 Posted on April 20, 2025 in Truck Accidents

Truck accidents can cause disastrous property damage and bodily harm. If you or somebody you love has been hurt in a collision with a tractor-trailer, you may be concerned about how to cover the losses you have suffered. With the help of a personal injury attorney, you can fight for the compensation you deserve.

At Whitlock Law, we believe that truck drivers should be held accountable for accidents caused by acts of negligence. When you work with our firm, you can rest assured that we will not take the easy way out by settling for less than what your case is worth. In our firm’s history, we have helped clients recover over $50 million, including a $2,500,000.00 verdict on behalf of our client involved in an accident with an 18-wheeler. Here are some of the most important services we provide.

Evidence Preservation

The first few days or weeks after a truck accident are often the most critical for building your case. Our lawyers will work as quickly as possible to recover all relevant evidence from the collision, such as:

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 Posted on April 07, 2025 in Criminal Defense

If you have been arrested for driving under the influence (DUI) in Virginia, you may suffer significant consequences for your driving privileges. your license could be suspended or even permanently revoked depending on the circumstances. An experienced Virginia DUI defense attorney, like those at Whitlock Law, can help protect your best interests and explore all possible strategies to help minimize the impact on your license and driving privileges.  

License Penalties

Virginia penalizes intoxicated drivers harshly, and both a DUI arrest and conviction will result in separate license suspension.  

Virginia Code sections 18.2-271 and 46.2-391.2 sets forth the driver’s license suspension requirements under the law for each type of offense. To summarize: 

• First Offense: Arrest: 7 days / Conviction: 12 months

• Second offense: Arrest: 60 days / Conviction: 3 years

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 Posted on March 31, 2025 in Car Accidents

A new law that came into effect in January 2025 increased the mandatory minimum for auto insurance in Virginia. All drivers are now required to carry at least $50,000 of insurance coverage to cover bodily injuries or death to one person, $100,000 for two people or more, and $25,000 for any damage to property.

These minimum insurance amounts are intended to protect car accident victims from financial hardship. But what happens when the minimum amount of coverage is simply not enough for your damages? Worse, what if the other driver has no insurance at all? At Whitlock Law, our Virginia car accident lawyers can fight for your right to fair, full compensation through an uninsured or underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) claim.

When To File a UM/UIM Claim

If you have been struck by a driver whose insurance policy does not meet the new mandatory minimums of $50,000 for injuries and $25,000 for property damage, you can file an underinsured motorist claim through your own insurance policy. Even if the driver does meet the minimum amount, you may still be able to file a UIM claim for additional compensation.

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 Posted on March 23, 2025 in Personal Injury

Have you been struck and injured in a car accident? If so, you may have grounds to file a claim for compensation against the other driver. Filing a claim can be quite complicated, and if you do not know your rights, you risk stumbling into common pitfalls. A Maryland car accident lawyer can walk you through the steps of taking legal action.

At Whitlock Law, we have the resources and experience to support clients who have been injured in car accidents. When you work with our firm, you can rest assured that we will not take an easy settlement for less than what your claim is worth.

Get The Other Driver’s Insurance Information

After a crash, you may be left reeling from shock and pain. However, the actions you take after a collision are arguably some of the most important parts of the process of filing a claim.

If it is safe to do so, you should make contact with the other driver and pull over somewhere away from traffic. Though it may be a natural reflex, do not apologize to the other driver or say anything that could be interpreted as an admission of guilt. At this point, you can exchange insurance information and call the police to get a written report of the accident. If the other driver does not have a valid insurance policy or flees from the scene of the accident, you may have to file an uninsured motorist claim through your own insurance policy.

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 Posted on March 11, 2025 in Criminal Defense

If you have been arrested and charged with a crime in Virginia, you might be under a great deal of stress. Law enforcement may pressure you into admitting your guilt, claiming that they are trying to help you out. Do not forget that you have the right to an attorney. With skilled legal representation, you can fight the charges against you in court.

At Whitlock Law, our Virginia criminal defense lawyers can support you through a difficult time. We will work to get the best possible outcome in your case through a combination of aggressive advocacy and smart negotiation.

Legal Advice

Most people are unfamiliar with the inner workings of the justice system. If you do not know your rights while in police custody, you could end up incriminating yourself by complete accident. This is why most attorneys will advise you to call them as soon as possible after an arrest. Law enforcement may pressure you into admitting your guilt, claiming that they are trying to help you out.

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 Posted on February 28, 2025 in Español

Las cámaras montadas en el tablero o "dash cams" pueden server como evidencia vital para documentar un reclamo por accidente automovilístico. Aunque haigan otras formas de cuestionar evidencia, la imágenes de la cámara del tablero pueden ser dificiles de ngar si muestran claramente cómo ocurrió el accidente. Si resultó lesionado en un accidente automovilístico, un abogado de lesiones personales de Maryland puede hacer un buen uso de las imágenes de su cámara de tablero en su reclamo de compensación.

En Whitlock Law, estamos aquí para proteger sus derechos después de un accidente automovilístico, utilizando toda la evidencia disponible para exigir una compensación completa. Ofrecemos una experiencia de firma pequeña, brindando atención individual a los clientes con una defensa tenaz y un asesoramiento sólido.

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 Posted on February 28, 2025 in Car Accidents

Dashboard-mounted cameras or "dash cams" can serve as vital evidence for documenting a car accident claim. While other forms of evidence can be disputed, dash cam footage can be hard to deny if it clearly shows how the accident happened. If you were injured in a car accident, a Maryland personal injury lawyer can make good use of your dashcam footage in your claim for compensation.

At Whitlock Law, we are here to protect your rights after a car wreck, using all available evidence to push for full compensation. We offer a small-firm experience, giving clients our individual attention with tenacious advocacy and sound counsel.

Why Negligence Matters

Only a few states, including Virginia and Maryland, use contributory negligence in car accidents. What this means is that if you are found to be even one percent at fault for a crash, you could be denied compensation by an insurance company.

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 Posted on February 20, 2025 in Car Accidents

If you have been injured in a car accident in Virginia, time is of the essence when it comes to getting compensation. You may only have a limited window to take legal action against the driver who caused you injury, and once that window is up, you might be out of luck. A Loudoun County, VA car accident attorney can help file a claim on your behalf and make sure all the paperwork is done correctly.

At Whitlock Law, we are highly familiar with personal injury law as it relates to car accidents. When you work with us, we will keep the statute of limitations in mind as we endeavor toward an efficient solution.

What Is The Statute of Limitations?

The statute of limitations is a time limit that restricts how long you have to take legal action against another person or entity. In Virginia, all car accident claims have a two-year statute of limitations. If you do not file a claim against the driver at fault before the statute of limitations runs out, you will not be able to pursue compensation for your damages.

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