Drugs

LEO -- law enforcement officers -- home searches can only lawfully take place with a valid search warrant, sufficient consent from an authorized person, or (infrequently) exigent circumstances. As a Fairfax criminal lawyer, I know that police search caselaw is not as friendly to criminal...

Methamphetamine is a highly addictive stimulant drug. As a Fairfax criminal lawyer, I know that a Virginia conviction for meth possession carries up to ten years in prison, as opposed to a conviction for meth (or any other Schedule I or II drug) possession with...

Blabbermouthing with police is a dangerous thing. As a Fairfax criminal lawyer, I know the importance for criminal suspects and arrestees to remain silent with the police, and too often see them foster a conviction by not asserting their rights under the United States Constitution's...

Conspiratorial conduct -- known as a conspiracy -- arises when two or more people enter an agreement to commit a crime or series of crimes.  As a Fairfax criminal lawyer, I know that for certain non-drug felony conspiracies, the Virginia sentencing maximum is less than...

420 is another word for marijuana, referencing a 4:20 p.m. time to toke and today's 4/20 date to celebrate. As a Fairfax criminal lawyer. I  spiritedly defend against marijuana and other drug prosecutions, running from simple possession to multiple plants and distribution / possession with...

Toking pot is popular with millions of people. As a Fairfax criminal defense lawyer, I know that Virginia's governor has approved legislation decriminalizing marijuana, with a few minor recommended amendments.  Virginia SB 2.  July 1, 2020 is the default date for new Virginia legislation to...

Drug 251 dispositions involve the withholding of a drug possession conviction under Virginia Code § 18.2-251, and is only available if the criminal defendant  has not before received a 251 disposition or applicable drug conviction. As a Fairfax criminal lawyer, I know that a 251...

Pill popping is all too common, but that -- without more evidence -- does not make a car's driver culpable in Virginia for one illegal drug pill found in the console between the front seats. As a Fairfax criminal defense lawyer, not only do I...

Reefer decriminalization finally has passed the Democratic-controlled Virginia Senate and House of Delegates, most likely to be signed by the commonwealth's Democratic governor after the two chambers' bill versions are harmonized. As a Fairfax criminal lawyer and drug defense attorney, I applaud this progress with...

Bench pushback is here in Northern Virginia, where judges will not automatically rubber stamp mutually agreed requests to dismiss criminal charges nor mutually agreed sentences and suspended imposition of sentence terms and conditions. Some judges will even ponder from the bench about whether certain prosecutorial...