Tag: courts
Descano announces re-election bid
Steve Descano, Fairfax County’s commonwealth’s attorney, announced Jan. 12 that he plans to seek re-election. “I’m proud of the great strides my office has taken in creating a criminal justice system where safety and justice go hand in hand and look forward to building on our success,” Descano said. He cited some of his accomplishments … Continued
Clerk of the court candidate Chris Falcon wants to make the office more accessible
Chris Falcon, the Annandale resident running for the position of clerk of the Fairfax County Circuit Court, wants to make that office more transparent and more accessible to the public. Falcon will be on the ballot for the Democratic Primary on June 20. So far, no one else has announced plans to run for the … Continued
Prosecutors won’t enforce abortion ban
If Virginia enacts a law banning abortions, the commonwealth’s attorneys for Fairfax and Arlington counties will not enforce it. That’s the message Steve Descano, the chief prosecutor for Fairfax County, and Parisa Dehghani-Tafti, who has that role for Arlington County and Falls Church City, brought to a fundraiser for Repro Rising Sept. 22 in Mason … Continued
Man convicted of fentanyl distribution
A federal jury convicted a Prince William County man Sept. 21 for distributing fentanyl resulting in death and serious injury, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia reports. According to court records and evidence presented at trial, Michael Vaughn, age 28 of Dumfries, distributed cocaine laced with fentanyl at a party at … Continued
County to provide info on abortion resources
In response to the Supreme Court’s overturning Roe v. Wade, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors on June 28 passed a board matter by a 10-0 vote directing staff to provide information on reproductive resources, services, and facilities available to county residents. The Health Department and other agencies will work to prepare a webpage with … Continued
Virginia leaders react to the end of Roe
Following the Supreme Court’s ruling to overturn Roe v. Wade, local elected leaders vow to support efforts to protect women’s reproductive rights in Virginia. Meanwhile, Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin said he will work to ban most abortions after 15 weeks. Abortions in Virginia are legal up to about 26 weeks. Youngkin had refused to reveal … Continued
Squalid conditions at Fairmont Gardens aired in court
The Fairfax County Circuit Court heard a case today that shined a light on the filthy and inhumane conditions at Fairmont Gardens in Annandale. Dean Sanchez, a former leasing agent, is suing the Donaldson Group, the company that owns the apartment complex. While Sanchez’s case alleges the property manager discriminated against him, his suit details … Continued
New restorative justice program launched
Fairfax County Commonwealth’s Attorney Steve Descano announced a new program April 6 to provide restorative justice to certain individuals charged with crimes. The Deferral and Dismissal Pilot Program, called Taking Root, is a partnership between Descano’s office and the Opportunities Alternatives and Resources (OAR) organization. “The focus of Taking Root will be to address a … Continued
Appeals court grants stay in TJ case
Fairfax County Public Schools can continue to use the current admissions process for Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology for the time being. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit on March 31 granted a stay pending an appeal requested by the Fairfax County School Board. That means FCPS can continue … Continued
FXCO school board appeals TJ ruling
The Fairfax County School Board filed an appeal challenging the ruling by U.S. District Court Judge Claude Hilton that would invalidate the race-neutral admissions process at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (TJ). The appeal was filed March 16 with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit. The school board also … Continued
Judge denies motion for stay in TJ case
A federal judge rejected a motion by the Fairfax County School Board March 11 to delay implementation of the judge’s decision on the admissions process for Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology, the Washington Post reports. Judge Claude Hilton of the U.S. District Court had previously ruled that the admissions system adopted by … Continued
School news roundup
School board seeks stay in TJ ruling – The Fairfax County School Board filed “a motion for stay pending appeal” on March 5 in response to the decision by a federal judge invalidating the admissions process for Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology. Judge Claude Hilton of the U.S. District Court ruled that … Continued
TJ admissions process discriminates against Asians, judge rules
A federal judge ruled that the admissions process adopted for Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology in 2020 illegally discriminates against Asian students. Judge Claude Hilton of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia in Alexandria found the new system for selecting students to the elite, highly competitive school amounted … Continued
An early win for school boards in mask mandate suit
A judge with the Arlington County Circuit Court has granted a temporary restraining order Feb. 4 against Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s ban on mask mandates. The ruling by Judge Louise DiMatteo involves a lawsuit filed by seven school boards, including Fairfax County, Alexandria, Arlington County, Falls Church, Hampton Roads, Prince William County, and Richmond. Related … Continued
More than 3 percent of all Mason District residents are in deportation proceedings
The Immigration Court at 1901 S. Bell St. in Crystal City handles deportation, asylum, and related cases from all over Virginia. [A. Baros/VOA] In Mason District, 3.6 percent of the total population are in deportation proceedings. That number reflects the huge backlog of deportation cases in Virginia, as well as the large immigrant population in … Continued