Legal Question in Traffic Law in Virginia

legal matter

my brother in-law backed into a car last summer in a parking lot in virginia. it was a slight dent in the car well, he's being held in jail possible 6months to 5yrs. they are going by his past records. is that aloud?. he has a wife and a 2yr daughter here in nj he lost his job due to this his wife may loose their house bc she is not making enough. the lawyer thay had in virginia basiclly screwed them hes not answering any ?'s and didnt help. my brother in-law had the option to come home and continue to work untill his sentancing and it was declined. they were afraid he would run. and hes not the type to do that. he turned himself in and said that he will pay any fines well, the judge didnt want to hear it and locked him up. no one was injured the insurance covered the dent and there was no damage to his truck not even a scratch. why is he being so punished for this type of crime?. should we find another lawyer?. what can we do to get him out of jail?. or even to make his time shorter?.his wife and mother has been contacting his lawyer and is getting no response. we are out of options. if u have any advice we would appriciate it greatly. all he wants to do is come home to his 3yr old daughter and wife.. thanku for ur time..


Asked on 7/21/07, 12:01 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Michael Hendrickson Law Office Michael E. Hendrickson

Re: legal matter

Something beyond what you've described here must be going on with your brother-in-law. Denting a vehicle through one's negligence is not a crime(even here in then Commonwealth)and judges do not put people in jail for causing such dents to other people's vehicles.(Again, I'm referring to damages caused by negligence and not by deliberate destruction of property which is a crime.)

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Answered on 7/21/07, 9:02 am


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