Questions answered by Jonathan D. Esten

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I put in an application for my record to be expunged and withdrew it and 2 days later the expungment was denied.

Jonathan's answer | Answered on October 17, 2014

If you successfully withdrew the petition, no. Apparently the withdrawal did not make it into the file properly or the judge never would have had...

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I am 15 and i was charged for simple possession of about.7 my cout date is coming up and i live in sc will it be dropped

Jonathan's answer | Answered on October 17, 2014

Why in the world would it be dropped? Police don't bring charges just to drop them. Based on your age you are almost certainly indigent. Don't...

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Should I attend court for a failure to stop at a stop sign charge or pay fine before court?

Jonathan's answer | Answered on October 17, 2014

It is a cost/benefit analysis for you. Some judges will offer you the chance to take a traffic school to have the case dismissed, which would...

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Can a person be tried in Virginia for the same crime that he or she has been found guilty of in the first place?

Jonathan's answer | Answered on October 17, 2014

If it happened once there and once here, you could face charges twice. But two prosecutions for the exact same event is double jeopardy. They...

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Can I get a crime taken off my record that is 10 years old in Virginia?

Jonathan's answer | Answered on October 17, 2014

for all intents and purposes no. Technically you could get a pardon and then have it expunged but that is very unlikely. If you want to petition...

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I understand that an appeal to a circuit court is the case being heard brand new. What stops witnesses from changing the story?

Jonathan's answer | Answered on October 17, 2014

Nothing stops them, technically, except the threat is perjury charges i guess. However they can be impeached with their prior inconsistent...

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Class 1 misdemeanor for reckless driving, prior tickets, and a court date next week. What is my most likely punishment?

Jonathan's answer | Answered on October 16, 2014

You may want to hire a lawyer. Judges vary widely on how they treat accident case reckless driving so only an attorney with some knowledge of both...

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How or when would I.plea for a restricted license if judge suggests it should be suspended

Jonathan's answer | Answered on October 16, 2014

Ask in court after you are revoked. There is a form. You can get it from the clerk before court starts.

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What are the chances of being drug tested after your hearing in a marijuana possession case ?

Jonathan's answer | Answered on October 16, 2014

Probably not at court, but if you take the diversion program you will be tested. However they Willi look for decreasing levels because they know it...

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What are the chances I walk away from court with a valid driver license and not get drug tested?

Jonathan's answer | Answered on October 16, 2014

Residue is marijuana. Your chance of walking away with your license is pretty close to zero. Even the first offender diversion program costs you...

Jonathan D. Esten's Answers (1764)

I put in an application for my record to be expunged and withdrew it and 2 days later the expungment was denied.

I am 15 and i was charged for simple possession of about.7 my cout date is coming up and i live in sc will it be dropped

Should I attend court for a failure to stop at a stop sign charge or pay fine before court?

Can a person be tried in Virginia for the same crime that he or she has been found guilty of in the first place?

Can I get a crime taken off my record that is 10 years old in Virginia?

I understand that an appeal to a circuit court is the case being heard brand new. What stops witnesses from changing the story?

Class 1 misdemeanor for reckless driving, prior tickets, and a court date next week. What is my most likely punishment?

How or when would I.plea for a restricted license if judge suggests it should be suspended

What are the chances of being drug tested after your hearing in a marijuana possession case ?

What are the chances I walk away from court with a valid driver license and not get drug tested?