Legal Question in Criminal Law in Virginia

On the computer when looking up case information in Virginia, there is a tab "pleadings and orders". On this page in the table, is a term "discovery responses or discovery answers". This is a heroin possession case with possible asault. What does this mean? Thanks.


Asked on 5/26/10, 5:10 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys

Jonathon Moseley Moseley & Associates Law Firm

It probably means that the prosecutor and the defense attorney exchanged STANDARD orders for exchange of information. This "discovery" is very narrow and limited in Virginia in criminal cases. Very little information is made available. Prosecutors in Virginia try to engage in "trial by ambush" as much as possible.

One can look in the court's file.

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Answered on 6/01/10, 1:49 pm


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