Criminal Defense

Virginia contraband prosecutions tend to focus on illegal drugs and unlawful firearm possession. As a Fairfax criminal lawyer, I know that even innocent people risk prosecution and conviction for when in close proximity to such items. Consequently, be careful about being with people you do...

Virginia detention is no picnic and no more desirable than the baloney sandwiches that are often served for food. As a Fairfax criminal lawyer, I know that you can help write the answer about whether you will get convicted of a crime and what your...

Better Fairfax and Northern Virginia plea negotiations -- better, that is, for criminal defendants -- is a major trend ever since four much more defendant-friendly chief prosecutors swept into the four northern Virginia counties. As a Fairfax criminal lawyer, I know that my opponents in...

Virginia detainee phone calls are visits are all recorded unless the discussion is with a lawyer on a designated secure jail phone line or in a lawyer visiting booth. As a Fairfax criminal lawyer, I know that too many inmates lull themselves to thinking they...

Oppressive was a great way to describe so many aspects of the Virginia criminal legal system, before the death penalty was abolished, before a whirlwind of criminal defendant-friendly legislation was passed in the 2020 through 2021, and before more enlightened (but not always as defendant-friendly...

Virginia sealing law is part of the wave of criminal law reforms that resulted during the 2020 and 2021 legislative sessions in the commonwealth as a result of Democratic control of the legislative and executive branches of government, as well as who filled those seats....

Police interpreters are common enough when a suspect does not speak sufficient English. As a Fairfax criminal lawyer, I am exasperated at the lack of sensitivity, respect and understanding by too many police, prosecutors and even some judges toward and about people who speak insufficient...

Confrontation rights are critical under the Constitution's Sixth Amendment. As a Fairfax criminal lawyer, I know that prosecutors will try to find ways around this sacred right, including through claims of door opening, as in: "Judge, criminal defense lawyer Parker opened the door, and now...

Virginia concealed handgun permits are seen as a sort of rite of passage for many residents of the commonwealth. As a Fairfax criminal lawyer, I know that to avoid prosecutions and convictions, people need to be meticulous in the contents of their firearm purchase applications...

Virginia identification law does not require that the person observing the alleged crime in progress have a perfect vantage point. As a Fairfax criminal lawyer, I know that  the factfinder -- whether a judge or jury -- generally is vested with deciding whether the eyewitness's...