Criminal Defense

SCVA DUI decisions are infrequent, which makes them all the more worthy of attention. As a Fairfax criminal lawyer, I see that the Poulson v. Commonwealth of Virginia opinion reinforces limits on entitlement to Miranda warnings and does without an arrest warrant requirement when police already are on...

Cherry picking is common for prosecutors while direct examining police, to use in putting the criminal defendants' statements to law enforcement officers (LEO) in the light most unfavorable to the defendant. As a Fairfax criminal lawyer, I recognize how maddening it can be for prosecutors...

Immigrants and all non-U.S. citizens: As a Fairfax criminal lawyer, I warn you that the current presidential administration is eager to deport and not admit people with particular convictions, sentences and even particular pending criminal charges and viewpoints. This stands in stark contrast to the...

Avoding voluntary police testing can spell the difference between acquittal and conviction. As a Fairfax criminal lawyer, I know that when, for instance, police suspect a person of violating Virginia Code § 18.2-266  (driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol and/or drugs or driving while...

Fairfax criminal blue sheets (FCBS) (formally known as Trial Advisement And Plea forms) are a staple of negotiating many criminal cases in the Fairfax County General District Court (with variations on those forms being common in the remaining Northern courts). As a Fairfax criminal lawyer,...

Fairfax Circuit Court (FCC) judges sometimes decide to issue and publish written opinions to explain their rulings. As a Fairfax criminal lawyer, I know that not all other Virginia circuit courts make their judges' opinion letters available online, which often are nonetheless available on such...

Civil liberties (CL) / Bill of Rights defenses are an essential part of defending the criminally accused. As a Fairfax criminal lawyer, in all my cases I file motions to suppress evidence that include challenging the detention and arrest of my client under the Constitution's...

Hidden defenses (HD) need to be among your Virginia criminal defense lawyer's arsenal. As a Fairfax criminal lawyer, by HD I mean defensive opportunities that may not be readily apparent to laypeople. Those opportunities might include Constitutional challenges seeking to suppress your statements to law...

Drug proximity can be risky, unless possessed lawfully by prescription or as over the counter products. As a Fairfax criminal lawyer, I know that police do not hesitate to arrest everyone near contolled substances, and to let the criminal defendants aregue why they are not...

Clam up about your criminal activities or criminal intent, or be ready for possible prosecutorial backlash. As a Fairfax criminal lawyer, I know people will sometimes speak hyperbolically about threats of violence or other crimes, but doing so can be like lighting a forest fire,...