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This weekly column is written and sponsored by D.C. real estate agent and Edgewood resident Jessica Evans. Email her questions at  [email protected].

If you’ve ever wondered “What will be the next hot neighborhood?” Or “Which neighborhood will see the next above-average appreciation?” or even “Where can I move to in order to escape crowds/traffic/$8 coffee/(insert annoyance of downtown life)?” You’re not alone!

In this series I’ll highlight lesser known DC neighborhoods that are gaining in popularity and have unique attributes that make them a great place to call home. Yes, many of these neighborhoods are “east of the river,” but don’t worry, you won’t be needing a boat! These neighborhoods are Metro and bridge accessible. Today, I’m focusing on River Terrace.

River Terrace

Location: Northeast DC, Benning Rd to the north, Anacostia River to the west, East Capitol to the South and 295 to the east.

Why it’s great:

• Waterside living without the typical price tag
• Anacostia Riverwalk Trail: Biker’s paradise + So much green space
  • 4 mile (off road) bike ride to Nats Park
  • 3 miles to Eastern Market
• Neighborliness, strong community vibes: Check out the River Terrace Community Organization
• Kingman Island

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By attorney Matthew Crowley, barred in the state of Virginia. With over 10 years of extensive courtroom experience, Crowley now focuses his practice on defending individuals from all walks of life, including CEOs, celebrities, government workers, and many others.

In March 2017, in Dare County, NC, Gabriel Stitt got a $213 speeding ticket in from a Sherriff’s Department deputy. However, the citation was given to Mr. Stitt solely based on the observations of a former law enforcement officer who reported Stitt’s alleged speeding via phone to the Department.

The incident happened near the Virginia Dare Memorial Bridge where Stitt was alleged to have been speeding.

The Dare County District Attorney’s office explained the traffic citation as “unusual” but legal, and the former law enforcement officer’s experience with detecting speed rendered her qualified.

Mr. Stitt denies speeding. He would like his case dismissed and an apology from the DA’s office. He plans to litigate the citation.

Outer Banks traffic attorney John Graham explained that it is legal in North Carolina for an officer to issue a citation “based on the observation of others.”

However, the former officer must testify in court for a judge to find Stitt guilty of speeding.

Graham advised that Stitt’s best defense is to create uncertainty about the former officer’s expertise and have DA’s office “prove beyond a reasonable doubt” that Stitt was driving over the speed limit.

A review of local court records indicate Stitt received another speeding citation three weeks after the first one. Specifically, Stitt was alleged to have driven 30 miles per hour over the limit in a 55-mile zone, which a deputy detected by radar.

Attorney Matt Crowley commented, “While in North Carolina it is legal to issue a ticket based on others’ observations, I imagine this would almost always be contested and litigated.”

This weekly column is written and sponsored by D.C. real estate agent and Edgewood resident Jessica Evans. Email her questions at  [email protected].

As much as I love a good multimillion dollar mcmansion, for many of us that’s a little beyond our purchasing power. In this series I’m taking a look at different types of properties that are listed for $450,000 or less. This week, I’m sharing with you 4 single family homes under $450,000 (3 of them are even under $400,000!).

913 45th Place NE Washington DC 20019 – $379,900 | Deanwood

This one gets a 10/10 for curb appeal and staging, it’s nice to see homes at more modest price points get the attention that they deserve. The size is comparable to many rowhomes in the District, with 1,848 sq ft on 3 levels. Upstairs space is a little tight but the basement is nicely finished and adds extra living space and a full bath. Outside, the backyard is fully fenced and includes a 2 car off street parking pad. Although Deanwood isn’t exactly on buyers hot lists right now, expect this to change over the next few years. Located 0.6 miles to the Minnesota Ave metro this home is positioned very well for future appreciation.

4311 Burns St SE Washington DC 20019 – $424,999

A rare example of a home that has been restored with original details preserved and not renovated to look like every other house on the market right now. Besides the stately foursquare exterior, I love the wood trim, solid wood doors and original features, and the front porch is awesome. The paint colors could be a little bit less bold, but that’s a project that anyone can tackle. The unfinished basement offers room for expansion while providing great storage. Located in Fort Dupont Park with plenty of green space right next door (did you know there are 10 miles of hiking trails there?).

3805 Blaine St NE Washington DC 20019 – $399,900

Another Deanwood winner, newly renovated and even closer to metro. A second full bath would make this one even better, but the design choices are on trend with dark wood floors, white marble counters and neutral colors. A fireplace makeover would make for a great pinterest project! Originally listed at $419,000, this one also had a recent price reduction this week.

2315 Branch Ave SE Washington DC 20020 – $356,000

This one is the fixer upper of the bunch, but I see lots of potential with this Hillcrest home, a wraparound front porch would do wonders for the exterior curb appeal. Besides its location in one of the top neighborhoods in SE, this house is located on a huge* 0.17 acre lot (*for dc standards). The home appears to be in financeable condition and would make for a great project. As a bank owned home that has been on the market for 100+ days chances are good that the price is negotiable.

Looking for more homes under $450,000? See the full list here.

All property photos courtesy of MRIS

By criminal defense attorney Thomas Soldan, who is barred and practices in the state of Virginia, with Price Benowitz LLP. Soldan has focused his practice on reckless driving, DUI/DWI, traffic, and personal injury litigation.

A recent study released by the Highway Loss Data Institute shows an increase in collision claims reported to insurers in states that have approved the sale of marijuana for recreational use.

The sum of collisions reported to insurers in Colorado, where marijuana has been legal the longest, Oregon and Washington, is three percent higher than expected if marijuana was not legal.

The study observed that more drivers admit using marijuana, which shows up more frequently in accidents.

To see if accident rates were higher in the legal use states, the Institute compared collision claim rates prior to and subsequent to legalization with the collision claim rates of nearby states where marijuana is illegal.

The aggregate-state analysis yielded the results that Colorado, Oregon and Washington have had more crashes, while the testing done on the individual states implies that the size of the effect depends on many factors including length of legalization.

For example, Colorado realized the biggest increase in crash claim frequency compared with its control states: the increase in Colorado’s collision claim frequency was 14 percent higher than in Nebraska, Utah and Wyoming.

The Institute noted that while there is evidence that marijuana can impair some aspects of driving performance, researchers have not been able to connect marijuana use with more frequent crashes definitively.

Although the Institute’s research found a greater crash risk, it did not conclude if the increase in collisions was directly caused by high drivers.

As more states consider legalizing recreational marijuana use, critics worry that this will cause an increase in accidents from people driving while high. Currently, there is no test for marijuana use like a Breathalyzer.

Defense attorney Thomas Soldan noted that “while these numbers are a start, certainly more research and data is necessary to determine if marijuana legalization is truly leading to an uptick in dangerous driving.”

By Attorney Amato Sanita, barred in the state of Pennsylvania. Amato manages one of the most active criminal defense practices in the commonwealth, and he concentrates his practice on adult and juvenile crime.

Embezzlers are not like other criminals: most work in an office setting, often have no prior history of committing crimes and surprisingly, today most are female.

According to PinkCollarCrime.com, a website focused on women and fraud and embezzlement issues, since 1990 embezzlers who are men have increased merely 4 percent while women who embezzle have grown by more than 40 percent during the same time. In the workplace, hold key positions, including the office manager, accountant or bookkeeper.

A review of recent Oregon cases shows that women embezzlers were caught taking $6,000 to over $1 million from businesses, charities and educational institutions. While most of the women did not go to prison, they did get probation and had to repay back monies owed.

According to Portland Oregon-based forensic psychologist Dr. Linda Grounds, who has reviewed the history of 40 females charged with embezzlement, the women had no prior criminal history, except for two DUI arrests.

Most had faced neglect or abuse as children and many experienced anxiety, depression, and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

Reasons for women embezzling range from gambling addictions to maintaining a nicer lifestyle but mostly to provide basics for their family. The women were most often motivated by desperate financial straits.

From the male perspective, criminologist Dr. Darrell Steffensmeier of Penn State explains that men embezzle more often because of debts that could be caused by gambling, affairs, alcohol or drug addiction or a business investment gone bad.

Other notable differences are that women usually take less money when they embezzle, and when women are caught, they generally immediately confess and repent.

Some Key Takeaways To Watch Out For In the Workplace:

• Employees acting cagy.
• Employees with a standard of living beyond their salary.
• Employees who will not take vacation.
• Employees with possibly expensive problems (medical, financial or family related).
• Abnormalities with accounting.
• If something seems improper, look into it further and do not take explanations at face value.

Attorney Amato Sanita commented, “Most people assume that white-collar crimes are committed by men, but even though they may have different reasons for doing so, women are just as likely to engage in these activities as men are.”

This column is written and sponsored by Alan Lescht & Associates, PC, an employment litigation firm in Washington, DC, that handles cases involving contract disputes, wage and hour issues, discrimination and retaliation, wrongful termination, whistleblower retaliation and security clearances.

Welcome to On the Job with DC’s Employment Attorney, bringing you employment law insight. Alan Lescht & Associates knows that understanding your rights is vital to your professional success. For more than 20 years, our firm has represented clients in Washington, DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia, and federal employees around the world. Each of our columns will feature a legal topic that is pertinent to employees in DC.

Can my employer fire me for any reason?

In most circumstances, yes. You are considered employed “at-will” unless you have a contract stating otherwise, or you are a government employee. At-will employees can be fired for any reason or no reason at all. Your employer does not have to give you advanced notice or tell you why you are being fired. However, you are equally free to quit at any time without notice.

There is one important caveat — you cannot be fired for an illegal reason.

What reasons are illegal?

The law prohibits most employers from making employment decisions based on protected characteristics. This means that employers may not demote, suspend, terminate, or otherwise change the terms of employment based on an employee’s color, disability, gender, national origin, race, religion, etc. Employers are also prohibited from retaliating against workers who report violations of employee rights or other unlawful activity. For example, you can’t be fired for complaining about discrimination or not receiving your paycheck.

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