Criminal Defense

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...

Incriminating evidence can abound in a lawbreaker's abandoned garbage. As a Fairfax criminal lawyer, I know that police can be like vultures waiting for drug suspects and subjects of DNA-related criminal investigations to dispose of their trash on the street or anywhere else where police...

Aggravated assault is an apt phrase for characterizing Virginia's malicious wounding statute. As a Fairfax criminal lawyer, I read with a dropped jaw at Lennis McNair, Jr.'s ability to convince a judge to sentence him only to three months active jail time, despite being convicted...