Criminal Defense

Failing to appear in court -- also known as FTA -- happens too often with too many criminal defendants. As a Fairfax criminal lawyer, I know that judges take FTA's very seriously, and that failing to appear for a felony court date exposes one to...

Minneapolis former cop Derek Chauvin -- who kneed George Floyd's neck until he died -- is not a mere abberation. As a Fairfax criminal lawyer, I know that police abuse runs too rampant, making this George Floyd tragedy at once hearbreaking, despicable, and unfortunately not...

Persevering is the only option for a criminal defendant and his or her lawyer. As a Fairfax criminal lawyer, I know that success is sweet, loss needs to be treated as a hurdle and learning experience on the path back to victory, and a winning...

Loose tongues are what police love with criminal suspects. As a Fairfax criminal lawyer, I read with sadness how blabbermouthing with police in 2012  is the only thing that got Ruben Edward Moore convicted of a 1981 murder in a cold case. Moore v. Virginia,...

Facemasks must be worn before entering all Northern Virginia courthouses, until further notice during Covid-19. As a Fairfax criminal lawyer, I provide you the following links for the mask policies -- most similar to each other -- in the Fairfax County, Arlington, Loudoun, Prince William...

Blabbermouthing with police is a dangerous thing. As a Fairfax criminal lawyer, I know the importance for criminal suspects and arrestees to remain silent with the police, and too often see them foster a conviction by not asserting their rights under the United States Constitution's...

Objecting is part of the toolkit of a trial lawyer. As a Fairfax criminal lawyer, I know that non-trials are resuming this week in most Virginia counties, while jury trials are on hold, during Covid-19. For courts not resuming most trials, they are expected to...

Conspiratorial conduct -- known as a conspiracy -- arises when two or more people enter an agreement to commit a crime or series of crimes.  As a Fairfax criminal lawyer, I know that for certain non-drug felony conspiracies, the Virginia sentencing maximum is less than...

Emergency aid by police sometimes can justify police in Virginia to enter one's home without a search warrant. As a Fairfax criminal lawyer, I know that once police justifiably enter a home without a warrant, they may also be permitted to conduct what is known...

Robbery in Virginia is sentenced harshly. from five years to life in prison. As a Fairfax criminal defense lawyer, I know that it is folly for an accused robber of contraband or its proceeds, to assert innocence on the basis of the defendant's ownership of...