Staunton, Virginia- An adult video store in Staunton is still open following last week’s obscenity conviction, and it’s up to the city to decide what to do next, because there’s a chance that owner Rick Krial could have his permit revoked for After Hours Video, but it’s a complicated process.
A sign posted on the door to reads, “Closed to restock will reopen tomorrow”, and the owner tells me the business has no intention of closing its doors anytime soon. However, a city ordinance, set up after the business was established, may force them to do just that.
According to that ordinance, the chief of police has the authority to revoke Krial’s permit. For a permit to be revoked, Krial would have had to have been convicted of a felony, a crime involving moral turpitude, or a crime involving the obscenity laws.
Before Krial was granted the permit, the ordinance stated he had to comply to a criminal records check, which he passed, but that changes given the verdict last week.
However, according to Commonwealth’s Attorney Ray Robertson, the business license cannot be revoked until a judge finalizes the conviction, and that can’t happen for another 60 days, to allow the defense to appeal.
However, even if the defense files for an appeal, Robertson says the license may still be revoked during that case.
According to the ordinance, if the chief of police revokes the permit, he must notify Krial of his right to request a hearing. If a hearing is requested, a final decision will be made within five days.
The future of After Hours Video is still up in the air. Krial and his attorney Paul Cambria, Jr. say they will file for an appeal.