Criminal Defense

Virginia pet cruelty criminal law can be unforgiving. As a Fairfax criminal lawyer, I urge people to familiarize themselves with the key pet welfare statute that I discuss here, which is Virginia Code § 3.2-6570.   Recently, the Virginia Court of Appeals affirmed a bench trial conviction...

Virginia suggestive identification police procedures should never happen. As a Fairfax criminal lawyer, I know that human nature alone means that we will continue to see suggestive police procedures to identify criminal perpetrators. The best that can be done is to severely reduce the frequency...

Fairfax sentencing -- as with sentencing throughout Virginia -- is by a judge unless a jury has convicted the criminal defendants, and unless the defendant has filed a written election for a jury sentencing at least thirty days before trial. Virginia Code § 19.2-295. As a...

Virginia LEO (law enforcement officers) do not automatically get the right under the Constitution's Fourth Amendment to search a car or other place merely for seeing an alcohol bottle that is not sealed together with some drug contraband, because that is not probable cause by...

Virginia gun rights are strong, and the Supreme Court’s recent landmark ruling can lead to more expansive weapons rights Virginia gun rights are among the strongest in the nation. As a Fairfax criminal lawyer, I know that before this week’s landmark Supreme Court Second Amendment...

Stopping when ordered by the police is required by Virginia law, as is remaining at the scene when involved in an accident that causes injury or property damage. As a Fairfax criminal lawyer, I know that reasons the driver may disregard such requirements may include...

Fairfax drug defense -- as well as in the rest of Virginia -- continues to be a critical aspect of criminal defense, despite the wonderful inroads with marijuana in the commonwealth, in such respects as eliminating penalties for personal possession of up to one ounce...

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...