WEEK IN REVIEW

July 22-28

Red Flags Didn't Stop Bad-Driver FeesN.J., Mich. Fines Hit Poor the Hardest

Virginia lawmakers imposed steep new fees on bad drivers this year despite warning signs from states with similar programs that they cause a surge in unlicensed motorists and have crippling effects on the poor.

The licenses of tens of thousands of drivers in New Jersey and Michigan have been suspended because they cannot afford the fees, and there is little evidence that such fines improve highway safety, according to state officials and studies.

Numerous lawmakers, judges and social activists in both states have tried to repeal the fees or make major changes in how they are collected. But once the programs are implemented, they are difficult to get rid of because state lawmakers are unwilling to give up the revenue they raise, judges and lawmakers said.

Fairfax Officers Accused of Assault, SuedPlanning Official Was at Station to Give Subpoena

A Fairfax County planning commissioner has filed a federal lawsuit against three Fairfax police officers for allegedly assaulting him at the Sully District station, then handcuffing and humiliating him inside Sully Supervisor Michael R. Frey's office.

Ronald W. Koch, 62, has been a planning commissioner for 21 years, once chaired the county's land-use committee and has been honored for his civic and volunteer work.

Koch was making a routine subpoena delivery to the Sully station about two years ago when he was confronted by the three Fairfax officers. The officers surrounded him, and one then lowered his shoulder and rammed him in the chest, he said. Then, when Koch went into Frey's office, they roughed him up and handcuffed him, according to his lawsuit.

Koch was working as a process server, delivering subpoenas and other legal documents, to supplement his retirement income.

Man Convicted in Fatal ShootingsJury to Choose Life Term or Death in 2002 Killings

A Prince William County jury convicted a 25-year-old Woodbridge man of capital murder in connection with a 2002 shooting rampage that stretched from Virginia to New York, and a prosecutor urged the panel to send the killer to death row.

The jury found that Joshua W. Andrews went to a Dumfries area apartment Jan. 2, 2002, as part of a planned robbery. He forced the three men inside to climb naked into the bathtub, prosecutors said, and started shooting.

In seeking the death penalty for Andrews, Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney James A. Willett told jurors after the conviction was announced that Andrews has threatened court officials, attacked an inmate who testified against him and offered a guard cash to help him escape. Willett also told the jury that Andrews shot and wounded two people in New York after the Dumfries shootings.

Va. Foundation Seeks to Reduce DivorcesLimits May be Dangerous, Foes Say

Heterosexual marriage needs fixing, too.

The Family Foundation -- a primary backer of the successful state constitutional amendment defining marriage as a union between one man and one woman -- says it aims to do something about it.

The Richmond-based foundation has formed a commission of academics, religious leaders and government aides to develop policy recommendations aimed at curbing the state's divorce rate. There is bipartisan support for taking some action.

The 17-member commission plans to consider policies in other states, including covenant marriage -- an optional agreement that requires counseling before matrimony or a divorce. Also on the table are proposals the foundation has backed. Under one of those, a no-fault divorce would require the consent of both spouses if a minor is in the home. According to Virginia law, in a no-fault divorce, either party can file for divorce without showing wrongdoing.