Trial in Absence, also known as “Do I have to come to court?

Posted by Mark Matney of Holcomb Law, PC Newport News VA
www.matneylawpllc.com
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Trial in Absence... I often represent people who do not come to court with me. Last month, for example, I accomplished the amendment of a charge of Reckless Driving by Speed, 88/60, to Speeding for a Pennsylvania resident. Attorney Mark Matney - Holcomb Law, PC is a traffic court and DUI defense law firm. Read our reviews on Avvo...

September 25, 2019

Blood Alcohol Content (BAC)

Consider this recent DUI / DWI case. My client was charged with DUI with an elevated Blood Alcohol Content (BAC), Felony Hit and Run, Open Container, and Driving with a Suspended License. The final result: Guilty of DUI with only the mandatory minimum sentence, Dismissal of the charges of Open Container and Driving with Suspended, and Amendment of the Felony Hit and Run to a misdemeanor. Avoided two misdemeanors, avoided a felony conviction that would have resulted in the loss of certain rights, but convicted of DUI. A loss on the DUI itself, but I submit that the case was a victory since two misdemeanors were dismissed and a felony conviction (with its loss of civil rights) was avoided.

September 25, 2019

Where’s the beef?

Posted by Mark Matney of Holcomb Law, PC Newport News VA
www.matneylawpllc.com
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Where's The Beef... Do you remember the Wendy’s commercial with the three ladies sliding around in the back seat of car as the searched for the beef in the competitors’ hamburgers? Sometimes I face the situation of “Where’s the officer?” Often people ask me if their case will be dismissed if the police officer does not show up for court. The answer is … maybe! It depends on the reason the officer is not present, the type of case, and the judge. Attorney Mark Matney - Holcomb Law, PC is a law firm located in Newport News Virginia, that specializes in DUI and Traffic Court defense. Check out or Avvo Reviews...

If The Charge Has Been Less Serious

This morning a state trooper was not present for court and the judge announced that the trooper was working at an accident scene and would not be able to arrive within a reasonable period of time. Since the trooper had contacted the court with an explanation for his absence, the judge continued his cases. My client today is facing a very serious reckless driving charge that could result in jail time and license suspension, so he was glad to have the court date continued to a new day. However, if the charge had been less serious, such as a speeding ticket or a low speed reckless driving case, the judge may have been willing to permit us to proceed in the absence of the trooper.

In two other recent cases, however, the charges against my clients were dismissed when the police officer did not appear for court. These cases involved a trooper who did not appear and did not notify the court of an excused absence, such as training or illness. Both clients avoided Reckless Driving by Speed. At other times, it is a witness who is missing. A client’s accident case (unsafe lane change) was dismissed last week when the officer’s witness did not arrive. Sometimes judges will give the police a continuance in this circumstance. However, I spoke with the officer and showed him my client’s driver improvement course certificate and other court preparations and the officer agreed to the case being dismissed instead of moved to a new date.

April 19, 2018

Today in Newport News

Posted by Mark Matney of Holcomb Law, PC Newport News VA
www.matneylawpllc.com
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Today in Newport News... Attorney Mark Matney helped four clients accomplish their goals in Newport News courts. The first client was charged with driving on a suspended license, 2nd offense. He needed more time to reinstate his license before his final hearing and the judge granted him a continuance.

Two of the clients were charged with reckless driving by speed with speeds over 80 mph. Both of these clients received amendments to traffic infractions and avoided misdemeanor convictions.

The fourth client received the greatest benefit when his three charges related to an accident were dismissed. It does not happen often, but this client’s dismissals were the result of a law enforcement officer who was not present due to taking another job.

These results were fun, but the day also included another highlight. A stranger paid for my lunch at the hotdog stand across from the courthouse when the vendor had trouble running my credit card.

July 5, 2017

DWI Amended to Reckless Driving

Posted by Mark Matney of Holcomb Law, PC Newport News VA
www.matneylawpllc.com
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Today I was glad to help a client achieve an amendment from DWI 1^st offense to Reckless Driving General. This result avoided the DWI label while also helping the client avoid the ignition interlock and reduce the period of license suspension from 12 months to 6 months.

Each case involves its own set of circumstances and facts, so I cannot guarantee a particular outcome in a specific case. In some recent DWI cases the charges associated with the DWI case were dismissed and/or reduced without an amendment of the DWI itself. However, three other recent DWI clients in the past two weeks received amendments of their DWI charges. Two clients charged with DWI 2^nd offense had their cases reduced to DWI 1^st offense and another client received an amendment from a DWI with an elevated 0.20 blood alcohol level to the standard blood alcohol level of below 0.15.

Traffic Violations

The Lawyers at Attorney Mark Matney - Holcomb Law, PC in Newport News Virginia defend people against traffic violations. Attorney Mark Matney defends people in traffic court against reckless driving, speeding, expired registration, expired license, running a red light or stop sign, failure to wear a seat belt, DUI, DWI, driving without a license or with a suspended license, leaving the scene of an accident, hit-and-run accidents, passing a stopped school bus. Our attorneys serve Williamsburg, Newport News, Hampton, Yorktown, Gloucester, Surry County, Toano.

So You Got A Ticket

Traffic tickets are serious business.

While many view traffic violations as minor infractions and nuisances, traffic tickets and moving violations have the power to wreak havoc on your life. Fees quickly mount, and points from tickets can cause your insurance premiums to skyrocket or result in a revoked or suspended license. Attorney Mark Matney - Holcomb Law, PC does not underestimate the seriousness of traffic violations and doggedly works on your behalf to get the charges you face reduced or dismissed.They can result in fines, court costs and points being placed against your driving record. Accumulating enough points within a two-year period subjects a person to additional sanctions by the Motor Vehicle Administration, including driving school, an official warning letter, a point system conference, suspension or even revocation or driving privileges. And imagine how high your car insurance will be.

Handling a wide array of traffic violation cases

I regularly represent clients charged with traffic violations, including:

Reckless driving
Speeding
Expired registration
Expired license
Running a red light or stop sign
Failure to signal when changing lanes
Failure to wear a seatbelt
Driving under the influence (DUI)
Driving without a license or with a suspended license
Leaving the scene of an accident
Violating license restrictions
Hit-and-run accidents
Passing a Stopped School Bus
Failure to Yield
Unsafe Lane Change
Following too Closely
Whether you have been charged with a moving or nonmoving violation, I possess the knowledge needed to protect your best interests in traffic court.

May 21, 2017

November 5, 2016

Community Service is a Core Value at Holcomb Law

Holcomb Law, PC
We partner with community service organizations. Our volunteers have donated hundreds of hours supporting THRIVE Peninsula, Community Knights, House of Mercy, Goodwill and other worthwhile programs and ministries.

Mark R. Matney’s Personal Participation

Alliance Defending Freedom, Mr. Matney has donated more than 800 hours of legal services through Alliance Defending Freedom. Upon reaching 450 hours he became part of their Honor Guard. His volunteer work has included providing legal clinics, serving on the boards of nonprofit organizations, and advising churches and ministry leaders.

Newport News Bar Association, Community Service Coordinator, 2017-2020. I arranged opportunities for lawyers to volunteer their time to provide services to clients of Legal Services of Eastern Virginia.

Financial Peace University, 2019. I helped lead Dave Ramsey's program for achieving financial independence.

Virginia Peninsula Food Bank, Legal Frenzy participant, Participated with other lawyers to raise support for the Food Bank in 2015 & 2016

Legal Clinics for Community of Faith Mission, 2014 & 2015

Cameroon Mission Trip – Joint project of Hope Outreach International Ministry and Evangel Theological Seminary, August 2013, 2 weeks instructing School of Practical Ministry for pastors and other ministry leaders

Classical Conversations, 9^th grade Tutor/Instructor for homeschool community, Fall, 2012

Operation Mobilization – One year mission trip to Montreal, Quebec, Fall 1992 to Fall 1993, Outreach to young people living on the city’s streets

Law School at William & Mary: Christian Legal Society, Honor Council, Peninsula Legal Aid

Breaking the Cycle 757: Numerous opportunities. They will match your interests with a project. Contact Don Quitta Clements at 757-837-6330.

November 5, 2016

DUI/DWI Lawyer

"DUI/DWI Lawyer" - DUI law can be complex and frustrating. With any other offense, you are innocent until proven guilty. But when you are facing a DUI, DWI, or a drunk driving charge, the results of a blood or breath test render you presumed to be under the influence and in violation of the law. This means that if you are facing DUI charges, you need to be represented by an experienced lawyer who knows DUI defense, please consider some of the top DUI/DWI defense attorneys at Attorney Mark Matney - Holcomb Law, PC. Our focus coverage area is with a focus on the cities of Newport News, Hampton, Williamsburg, York, James City County, New Kent, Isle of Wight, and Surry.

Call (757) 703-4556 or Click Here to email Attorney Mark Matney for a Free, No-Obligation Consultation!