CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, Va (WTVR) - A pre-trial date was set Wednesday for Richmond Police officer David Ruland. The proceeding was a chance for Ruland to either receive a court-appointed attorney or inform the court he would retain his own legal counsel.
Because Ruland hired his own lawyer before the pre-trial hearing, he was not required to show up for court. The case has since been continued.
Ruland's retained lawyer, as indicated on paperwork from the court, is attorney Teddy J. Midkiff.
Ruland is charged with indecent exposure in connection to an Oct. 7 incident. A woman claimed she saw him outside Chesterfield Towne Center, inside his vehicle, with his genitals exposed. Ruland was charged Oct. 11.
Ruland has been a Richmond Police officer since 2008. He is currently on administrative leave, according to Richmond Police spokesman Gene Lepley. Lepley was unsure if Ruland was on paid leave.
He said an internal investigation would be conducted once an outcome was reached in court.
If found guilty of the indecent exposure misdemeanor, Ruland could face 12 months behind bars and/or a $2,500 fine. He is set to return to Chesterfield for trial on November 25 at 8:30 a.m.
