Criminal Defense

Trial day is showtime, ideally when substantial preparation has already taken place by the attorney and his/her criminal defense client. As a Fairfax criminal lawyer, I know how important it is not only to be fully prepared for trial, but also for the defendant to...

Probable cause ("PC") under the Fourth Amendment is required both for police to conduct a search for a criminal investigation, and to arrest a suspect. As a Fairfax criminal lawyer, I find it curious at the very least that the Virginia Supreme Court continues to...

Misidentification runs rampant in obtaining criminal convictions for murder, robbery, rape and other prosecutions. As a Fairfax criminal lawyer, I urge that the law be updated to at least permit wider opportunities than currently exist for Virginia criminal defendants to present jurors with expert witness...

Cameras abound to record our driving behavior, interactions with police, and even blowing our nose in a retail store. As a Northern Virginia criminal lawyer, I know that this ever-present camera situation provides both opportunities and challenges for criminal defendants. Virtually ubiquitous video cameras are...

Naysayers are many, but the criminal defendant must pursue victory, says Fairfax criminal lawyer Naysayers — those who too quickly insist that risks will fail — can abound in courthouses, even among some otherwise excellent criminal defense lawyers. As a Fairfax criminal lawyer, I remind...

Other crimes evidence generally is inadmissible at trial. As a Fairfax criminal lawyer, I know that evidence of criminal acts not being prosecuted at trial is only admissible as follows: "Generally, evidence of an accused’s other criminal acts is 'inadmissible to prove guilt of the...

Anticipating your misdemeanor or felony trial date should include substantial planning and preparation by you and your lawyer. As a Fairfax criminal lawyer, I share the following insights about what to generally expect on your first criminal or DUI trial date in the Fairfax County...

Arraignments in Virginia not need to be an aggravating rather than simplified exercise. As a Fairfax criminal lawyer, in this article I address the arraignment process for criminal and DUI cases in the Fairfax District Court. Be aware that procedures for this and other court...

Martial arts practice that can cause injury or death can be prosecuted in Virginia as a felony, if intended for a civil disturbance. Va. Code § 18.2-433.2 ("Martial Arts Law" or "MAL"), As a Fairfax criminal lawyer, I read with interest a recent article...

Steve Descano ran as a reformer to successfully replace the current Fairfax County, Virginia, chief prosecutor. Having won the general election, he has posted two critical recent Facebook articles as he approaches his early January 2020 swearing in. As a Fairfax criminal lawyer, I take...