The first thing I learned at the Appalachian School of Law was the preferred pronunciation, according to Grundy locals, of ‘Appalachian.’ The second thing I learned in law school was the preferred pronunciation of ‘Buchanan’ County. Anyone who has ever been to Grundy did not just read those two words; they also heard them. ASL provides an opportunity to many aspiring lawyers from Virginia, West Virginia, North Carolina, Kentucky, and Tennessee; among other states.

There are numerous Statutes in Virginia that reference the enforceability of prior Court Orders and Contempt proceedings. Specifically, Virginia Code Section 16.1–69.24 indicates that a Judge of a District Court shall have the same powers and jurisdiction as a Judge in the Circuit Court to punish summarily for contempt, but in no case shall the fine exceed $250.00 nor may the imprisonment exceed 10 days for one contempt citation.

There are three types of Protective Orders. There is an Emergency Protective Order (EPO), Preliminary Protective Order (PPO), and a Protective Order (PO). The general understanding of a Protective Order is that it is a legal Order either issued by a Magistrate or a Judge to protect a person from physical abuse or threatening behavior by another person, usually a spouse or some other family member.

I should preface this article with the following disclaimer: I work at The Witmeyer Law Firm, owned by Carl J. Witmeyer, II; my father. That being said, I believe that I have endured the same struggle that all first year attorneys have had to endure following graduation from law school and passing the Bar.