Criminal Defense

Commercial sex prosecutions- Virginia criminal lawyer on defending them. Commercial sexual activity thrives in the United States, including adult films and private online shows, live performances, and erotic activity running from massages to penetrative sexual activity. I know this not only as a Virginia criminal...

Judges in a Virginia felony or class 1 misdemeanor Circuit Court jury trial sitting with a jury must first preside over a jury sentencing trial (if the jury convicts) before the judge sets the final sentence. Va. Code § 19.2-295.1. The sentencing risks of a...

Embezzlement is not limited to employee misdeeds, says Virginia criminal lawyer. Embezzlement in Virginia is defined as wrongfully and fraudulently using, disposing, or concealing any valuables "received for another or for his employer." Va. Code § 18.2-111 Embezzlement is a form of theft. As a...

Assault defenses when unwanted touching is alleged - Fairfax criminal lawyer. Assault defenses in Virginia include demonstrating that the defendant's touching was "justified or excused.” Perkins v. Virginia, 31 Va. App. 326 (2000). As a Fairfax criminal lawyer, I know that although a "kiss is...

Cocaine is what Ella Fitzgerald gets no kick out of , but in Virginia, a conviction for the mere possession or use of cocaine or any other Schedule I or II drug kicks the defendant with a Class 5 felony offense carrying up to ten...

Repeat drug offenses risk enhanced sentencing, says Virginia criminal lawyer. Repeat drug convictions risk mandatory minimum and enhanced prison sentencing both on the Virginia state and federal court level. As a Virginia criminal attorney, I know that the financial incentives to deal illegal drugs might...

License suspensions and revocations are a harsh reality for those who miss Virginia court deadlines for paying court-ordered fines, costs and restitution. As a Virginia criminal lawyer, I know that driving on a suspended or revoked driving license can bring serious penalties.

Object to inadmissible jury sentencing evidence, or have the Virginia criminal defendant suffer the consequences. As a Fairfax criminal lawyer, I know that in the heat of battle the defendant's lawyer needs nevertheless not to overlook both objecting timely when an objection needs to be...

Passing checks on insufficient funds risks a theft conviction. Va. Code § 18.2-181. As a Virginia criminal lawyer and as a former commercial bank examiner/auditor during the year before law school, I know that passing bad checks is all too common. Fairfax criminal lawyer on the...

Danger abounds when insufficiently armed for court, says Fairfax criminal lawyer. Danger lurks around every corner in a criminal courthouse. As a Fairfax criminal lawyer, I know it is essential to go to court fully prepared for battle. Criminal defense is not an exercise for...