Criminal Defense

Results -- great ones -- are the goal of every Virginia criminal defendant whose focus is in the right direction. As a Fairfax criminal lawyer, I repeatedly hear from my clients: "What will happen in my case? Are you optimistic about the outcome?" If a...

Virginia criminal plea deals are often part of criminal defense in Fairfax and the rest of the commonwealth. As a Fairfax criminal lawyer, I know that it is great to obtain a dismissal or acquittal against Virginia DUI, drug, felony and misdemeanor charges. I also...

Probation revocation proceedings are all too common in Virginia, and concern criminal defendants about their sentencing exposure. As a Fairfax criminal lawyer, I exulted when the statutory law changed to strictly limit criminal defendants' jail and prison risks for probation violations that are technical rather...

Police hassling exasperates me as a Fairfax criminal lawyer, civil libertarian, and human being. Having police is part of the so-called social contract where society relinquishes vital aspects of its freedom in order to receive protection from the government apparati. However, police and government are...

Prosecutorial discretion (PD) is great when it benefits the accused. As a Fairfax criminal lawyer, I know that the county's chief prosecutor / commonwealth's attorney on several occasions has emphasized his willingness to use such authority, and his directed his prosecutors to do the same,...

Bending prosecutors and police out of shape should not be a goal in and of itself, but it sometimes happens as a helpful default. As a Fairfax criminal lawyer, I do know that sleight of hand can be beneficial, but once again usually should not...

“Did you do it?” “Did you kill Horace Jones?” Thus began the powerfully persuasive direct examination by lawyer JD with his client Zach Carson. Zach was so despondent after losing the love of his life, that he confessed to a murder he did not commit,...

Kick me -- or a variation on that theme -- may be the response of many a Virginia criminal suspect or criminal defendant once the police nab them for a crime that they actually committed. As a Fairfax criminal lawyer, I know that the self...

Fairfax speedy trial (ST) rights are critical both under the Virginia Code and the Constitution, just sa they are in the rest of the commonwealth. As a Fairfax criminal lawyer, I always keep my eyes on this right for all my clients. On May 31,...

Unlawful police seizure under the Constitution's Fourth Amendmentprecludes an otherwise vountary search from being voluntary. As a Virginia criminal lawyer, I know that many judges will disagree with when a seizure has taken place. Fortunately, we have Virginia and federal appellate court opinions to provide...