There are several new laws and ordinances that take effect on January 1, 2022. If you have been charged with Driving Under the Influence or Driving While Intoxicated (DUI /DWI), these new amendments may help in the defense of your case. SB 527: This bill removes the sunset clause from the authorization for the sale of neutral grain spirits or alcohol up to a proof limit of 151 in ABC stores. Haywood said these violations have long been used to stop people for drug investigations and disproportionately target people of color. Virginias 2022 Regulations on Smoking with a Child in the Car. Put simply, these laws were changed because of a pushback against police stopping people for minor violations such as expired tags or marijuana odor. To get the best experience, you'll need to upgrade to a. to or from a place of business where you are employed; to or from an activity that is supervised by an adult and is sponsored by a school or by a civic, religious, or public organization; with a licensed spouse age 18 or older, parent or other adult acting in loco parentis who is occupying the front passenger seat. The experienced, certified attorneys at the Ritchie Law Firm has helped thousands of injured victims and their families recover the compensation they deserve after an accident. July 1 marks the beginning of dozens of new pieces of legislation in the commonwealth. These include cars, mopeds, and motorcycles. Previously, principals were only required to make such reports for such acts that may constitute a felony offense. Another law, which bans the use of animals for cosmetic testing in Virginia goes into effect and on July 1 it will ban the sale of any cosmetics that was developed using animal testing as of this year. Legal Limit. Also, a new law makes it illegal to carry a firearm or explosive within the Capitol of Virginia, Capitol Square, and the surrounding are. While a driver may still talk on your phone while driving, he or she may not hold the phone. that is less than four months out of date. This means that police officers can pull you over for failing to wear a seatbelt. In February 2023, notable outcomes included avoiding jail for 107 mph (Feb 17, DISCLAIMER EACH CASE IS UNIQUE AND CASE RESULTS DEPEND ON YOUR INDIVIDUAL SITUATION. An expired inspection or registration sticker can only get you pulled; however, it has to be at least four months late. Permits hunting on Sunday on public or private land, so long as it takes place more than 200 yards from a place of worship. These new amendments may help those stopped specifically for equipment violations after July 1, 2021, but they do not make it legal to drink and drive or consume marijuana and drive. Depending on which court has jurisdiction over your case, you can quickly and easily pay any outstanding tickets on one of two websites. Its set to go up incrementally until it hits $15 in 2026. Possession of marijuana unlawful. The new amendment prevents an officer from stopping a vehicle specifically for defective equipment under this statute. How to Avoid Reckless Driving Charges in Virginia. Minimum Wage. Now, the federal No Surprises Act (NSA), which takes effect on the first of the year, will provide additional protections for more people against surprise billing for medical expenses. SB 249: Any person who knowingly is any type of sexual abuse of an animal, as outlined in the bill, will be guilty of a Class 6 felony. | Jul 1, 2021 | Traffic Law, As of July 1, 2021, there are several new traffic law amendments that greatly widen legal protections for drivers in the Commonwealth of Virginia.