Criminal Defense

Fairfax Circuit Court Judge David Bernhard early on in his judgeship made clear his inclination against imposing cash bail. As a Fairfax criminal lawyer and civil libertarian, I read with interest how Judge Bernhard this month went one step further with a letter opinion (which...

Criminal defense victory usually does not come easy, but is more possible when the Virginia criminal lawyer is powerfully calm and maintains a sense of humor, wonder and enchantment in life. As a Fairfax criminal lawyer, I know by experience the power of this approach,...

Virginia DUI breath testing is always ripe for trial challenges. As a Fairfax criminal lawyer, I always explore this line of attack, including with the breathalyzer twenty minute rule. The Virginia Department of Forensic Science's own breath test operator instructional manual ("DFS Manual") provides the...

Documents in your name are not desireable when found in close proximity to illegal drugs, also known as controlled substance's. As a Fairfax criminal lawyer, I know that a conviction for drug possession cannot be obtained absent proof beyond a reasonable doubt of knowledge, dominion...

Deals are a common part of Virginia criminal defense practice. As a Fairfax criminal lawyer, I know that this does not mean that every criminal defendant should plead guilty, no contest or Alford, rather than going to trial or negotiating a case dismissal. I do know...

Sentencing success is less preferable than trial success. As a Fairfax criminal lawyer, I know, nonetheless, that it is folly to prepare for trial without also being prepared for sentencing in the event of a conviction or an eventual plea deal. Recently, the sentencing judge's...

Trial for me is like breathing and brushing teeth. As a Fairfax criminal lawyer and Virginia DUI attorney, I know that being fully prepared for trial is a given. Truer than true is that being full trial readiness makes one's Virginia criminal or DUI case...

Jail risks in Virginia criminal court sometimes may be anticipated and sometimes not. As a Fairfax criminal lawyer, I pursue not only acquittals, but also ways to minimize the collateral damage from a Virginia criminal conviction on one's career, security clearance, immigration status, uniformed military...

Virginia judges -- at least some in Northern Virginia, Norfolk and Portsmouth courts -- have engaged in pushback of one sort or another after self-styled reformist chief prosecutors took office there. As a Fairax criminal lawyer, I am delighted to report that on October 21,...

Family members and friends often express profound concern to me about their relatives / friends who have been charged  witha Virginia criminal or DUI offense. As a Fairfax criminal lawyer, I know that such concern and support -- in measured fashion -- can be beneficial...