misdemeanors
Two bites at the apple- Appealing a Virginia District Court conviction
Two bites at the apple are available when a Virginia criminal defendant first proceeds to a misdemeanor trial or probation violation trial in District Court. As a Fairfax criminal lawyer, I tell my clients that we are going to fight like hell to obtain a...
Virginia- Beware filing for expungement before the prosecution deadline has passed
When my client and I leave the courtroom with delight over a criminal case acquittal or unconditional dismissal, the conversation ultimately turns to my client's option to file for filing an application to expunge the case record.
Getting a theft case dismissed through teamwork with my client
Early on with my criminal defense clients, I develop an action plan for the work ahead for me and my client, with the goal of improving our chances with case negotiations, any trial, and any possible sentencing.
A felony theft conviction is not possible without proof of value
In Virginia, the felony theft threshold is $200. Setting aside the injustice of such a low threshold for distinguishing between facing up to a year in jail for misdemeanor theft and twenty years for felony theft, the prosecutor must prove that $200 value threshold beyond...