Handling Probation and Parole Violation Hearings Effectively

A pre-recorded streaming VIDEO replay of the August 2024 webcast, Handling Probation and Parole Violation Hearings Effectively.

This course, presented by a circuit court judge and an attorney with extensive experience as both a prosecutor and defense attorney, explores the statutory framework for trying probation and good behavior violations in the circuit courts of Virginia. Our speakers break down the case law related to probation violations and the application of section 19.2-306.1 of the Code of Virginia. Gain insights and tips on strategies for successfully handling these matters. 

• Learn the ins and outs of probation violation practice, including the application of the probation reform laws passed in 2021.
• Discover how courts and commonwealth’s attorneys’ offices are handling the application of the new sentencing guidelines and restrictions in the law, and how courts are addressing probation going forward.
• Hear a circuit court judge and an experienced defense practitioner present best practices for handling probation violation hearings.

Faculty

Hon. Rondelle Herman, Henrico Circuit Court / Henrico

Judge Rondelle D. Herman is currently a Circuit Court Judge in the County of Henrico with the distinct honor of being the first African-American woman appointed to serve on the Henrico Circuit Court in 2021.

Judge Herman served for over eight years as a Judge in the Henrico Juvenile & Domestic Relations District Court before being elevated to the Circuit Court. She also has the distinct honor of being the first African-American woman appointed to the Henrico J&DR District Court and the first African-American to serve as Chief Judge of that court.

After obtaining a Bachelor of Arts Degree from the University of Virginia and a Juris Doctor from the George Mason University School of Law, Judge Herman began her legal career as an associate attorney with McEachin & Gee, P.C. She served as a Public Defender for the cities of Richmond and Petersburg for a several years. Before establishing her own law firm in Henrico County in 2008, Judge Herman was an associate attorney who was later promoted to partner with the law firm of Harrell & Chambliss LLC, where she practiced as a civil and criminal litigator for many years. In addition, while at Harrell & Chambliss LLC and her own firm, Judge Herman served as a Substitute Judge for the District Courts in Virginia for eight years prior to being appointed to the bench full time.

Judge Herman has been named previously as one of Style Weekly’s top 40 under 40 and was inducted into the Virginia Lawyers Weekly 2013 class of Most Influential Women. In 2022, Judge Herman was awarded the Woman of Achievement Award by the Metropolitan Richmond Women’s Bar Association.

Stephen A. Mutnick, Winslow & McCurry, PLLC / Midlothian

Steve Mutnick practices primarily in the areas of criminal, traffic defense, and as private counsel in civil cases, including custody and visitation. He regularly practices in the counties of Chesterfield, Henrico, Hanover, Richmond City, Powhatan, and other jurisdictions in central Virginia. He is certified by the Indigent Defense Commission as defense counsel for misdemeanors, juveniles, and felony cases.

Mr. Mutnick regularly represents those accused of serious criminal matters including murder, violent crimes, drug distribution and possession, theft and larceny related crimes, and other offenses in front of both judges and juries. He has been a practicing criminal attorney since 2007. Steve serves as Counsel to the House of Delegates Courts of Justice Committee, where he advises the members of the General Assembly on important issues in criminal and civil law. From 2016 to 2018, he served on the Chesterfield-Colonial Heights Criminal Justice Board.

Mr. Mutnick has been an instructor for Virginia CLE^® since 2013. In 2016, he created and was lead faculty in Representing the Criminal Juvenile Defendant: Navigating the Juvenile Justice System. Since 2017, he has been the lead faculty and moderator of the DUI Defense and Defense of Serious Traffic Offenses continuing legal education programs. He has also taught at the Commonwealth Attorneys’ Services Council Spring Institute, the Virginia State Police Academy, and the Henrico Police Academy. He was also the author of the “Juvenile Criminal Defense” chapter in the Virginia Deskbook for Practitioners.

Mr. Mutnick entered private practice in 2013 after serving as an Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney for five and one-half years. He was an Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney in Loudoun and Henrico counties for over five years. Born and raised in Burke, Virginia, he attended the College of William and Mary with a major in Public Policy. After college, he attended the TC Williams School of Law at the University of Richmond.