Underdog Blog – Fairfax Criminal Defense Lawyer | Virginia DUI Attorney

Legislative reform beneficial to criminal defendants is more in reach than ever in Virginia now that Democrats control both of the commonwealth's House and Senate for the first time in decades. As a Fairfax criminal defense lawyer, I know that Democrats are not automatically better...

Self representation in criminal court gets pursued running the gamut from thoughtful political activists not wanting to water down their message with the presence of criminal defense lawyers, to those who have fools for a client, to those who have little foresight -- and sometimes...

Life in prison is the mandatory sentence that will come to any adult convicted in Virginia for object sexual penetration against someone under thirteen. As a Fairfax criminal lawyer, I know that a large percentage of adults not only are sexually attracted to children, but...

Reform in criminal law -- to criminal defendants' benefit -- is a likelihood for this winter's Virginia legislative session, now that Democrats control both the executive branch and both houses of the Virginia legislature. As a Fairfax criminal lawyer, I am keeping track of these...

Horizontal gaze nystagmus ("HGN") is one of the three so-called DUI standardized field sobriety tests ("SFSTs") approved by the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration ("NHTSA") of the United States Transportation Department. The HGN test is of no more use to DUI investigations than to confirm...

Firearm and ammunition possession by those with a prior felony conviction is a Class 6 felony in Virginia, with more severe penalties if the prior conviction was for a violent felony. Va. Code § 18.2-308.2. As a Fairfax criminal defense lawyer, I know that firearm...

Marijuana dismissal for most simple pot possession (versus possession with intent to distribute) cases has arrived with the new Fairfax County and Arlington County, Virginia, prosecutors, who took office this week. As a Fairfax criminal lawyer, I see this as a big leap forward for...

Appear timely for your criminal court date, or risk an appearance failure (FTA) prosecution and warrant for your arrest. As a Fairfax criminal lawyer, I know that many criminal defendants incur FTA charges, whether due to not appearing on the arraignment date, missing a hearing...

Cigarettes are big business in Virginia. As a Fairfax criminal lawyer, I know that resellers can be attracted to Virginia's relatively low tobacco prices. Tax and criminal activity funding concerns lead Virginia law enforcement authorities to monitor people buying tobacco in large bulk from retailers...

Field sobriety tests ("FSTs") are routinely requested by police investigating DWI suspects. As a Fairfax DUI lawyer, I know that even the most sober person can perform poorly on such FSTs as standing on one leg while holding the other at least six inches off...