Criminal Defense

"Turnaround," and "stop" are police commands that mean "no reasonable person would have believed he or she was free to leave." As a Fairfax criminal defense lawyer, I know that such a cop command thereby amounts to a Fourth Amendment seizure of the suspect unless...

Striking jurors is an essential part of pursuing the best possible result in a jury trial. As a Fairfax criminal defense lawyer, I know that before a lawyer even presents an opening statement to a jury, the attorney must proceed with jury voir dire /...

Booze is a big business in Virginia. As a Fairfax criminal lawyer, I know that the Virginia governor lists liquor stores (only government-run stores may sell alcoholic beverages other than beer and wine) as essential businesses on par with grocery stores during is stay at...

Temperature checks and Covid-19-related questioning are likely to expand across Virginia courthouses. As a Fairfax criminal defense lawyer, I know that at least four courthouses are now checking court visitors' body temperature (which I anticipate will involve a brief laser burst to one's forehead) and/or...

Hearsay is an out of court statement offered into evidence at trial to prove the truth of the matter asserted therein. As a Fairfax criminal lawyer, I know that hearsay generally is inadmissible at trial unless an applicable evidentiary exception applies. When it comes to...

420 is another word for marijuana, referencing a 4:20 p.m. time to toke and today's 4/20 date to celebrate. As a Fairfax criminal lawyer. I  spiritedly defend against marijuana and other drug prosecutions, running from simple possession to multiple plants and distribution / possession with...

Unauthorized vehicle use law in Virginia includes using someone else's car beyond the scope of their consent. As a Fairfax criminal lawyer, I know that whenever a car owner orally sets limits on someone else's use of the vehicle, it is best to reduce that...

Inventory searches of impounded cars are impermissible if they do not follow previously-implemented and Constitutional inventory procedures. As a Fairfax criminal lawyer, I am delighted that the Virginia Court of Appeals this month reversed a firearm conviction, where a handgun was found without probable cause under...

Violating a green light by waiting six seconds led to Richard Duane Joyce, Jr.'s traffic stop and subsequent conviction for DUI. As a Fairfax criminal lawyer, I see the appellate court's affirmance of Joyce's conviction -- Joyce v. Virginia, __ Va. App. __ (April 14,...

Inmate depopulation is making inroads at various levels during Covid-19, with the realization that doing so not only protects the health of inmates, but also of jail and prison employees, and the general public who will encounter inmates upon the inevitable release of those not...