Category: Blog

In Virginia, a motion to vacate a conviction is a rare post-conviction remedy that can be filed at any time, but only when the trial court’s judgment is void ab initio, meaning the court never had the legal power to enter it. Most convictions, including...

Less than a month from now, thousands of Virginians will gain the legal right to petition to seal many felony and most misdemeanor convictions from their records, a change that advocates are calling a “game changer” for housing, employment, and civic life in the Commonwealth.

But...

A new investigative report by the Loudoun Times-Mirror has confirmed what Virginia post-conviction attorney Jonathan Sheldon has been documenting for years: judges in Loudoun County’s 20th Judicial Circuit are sentencing defendants significantly above Virginia’s own sentencing guidelines, at rates that stand out compared to...

Virginia post-conviction attorney Jonathan Sheldon of Sheldon & Flood, PLC secured a landmark federal habeas corpus victory for his client, Christopher Coleman, before the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit. Now, the Virginia Attorney General has filed for certiorari, asking the...

When someone is incarcerated due to a constitutional violation, one of the most powerful legal remedies available is a writ of habeas corpus. Often called the “Great Writ,” this legal safeguard protects individuals from unlawful detention and ensures that the government cannot imprison a...

When a criminal appeal ends in Virginia, many defendants and families are left with the same overwhelming question. Is the case truly over, or is there anything else that can still be done? This moment often brings confusion, fear, and silence. Courts stop sending notices....

What Post-Conviction Defendants and Families Need to Know

Virginia has enacted some of the most significant criminal record reforms in its history. These changes affect how certain criminal records may be sealed after a case is complete and are especially important for people who already have...

For immigrants living in Virginia, even a single criminal charge can carry consequences that reach far beyond the courtroom. A conviction doesn’t just affect your freedom or record; it can directly threaten your immigration status, your ability to remain in the U.S., or your chance...

In a recent decision, the Virginia Court of Appeals reversed the felony conviction of a man accused of solicitation. Meghan S. Skelton argued the appeal, with Jonathan P. Sheldon of Sheldon & Flood, PLC on the briefs. holding that the trial court erred in excluding...