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Criminal Defense

Assault defenses in Virginia

January 12, 2019

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 and drug possession definition – Virginia criminal lawyer

January 11, 2019

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 offense risks enhanced sentencing – Virginia criminal lawyer

December 28, 2018

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 for unpaid Virginia court fines – soon to end

December 24, 2018

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 – Fairfax criminal lawyer

December 21, 2018

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 bad checks risks a theft conviction – Virginia criminal lawyer

December 14, 2018

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 from bringing a machete to a courthouse gunfight – Fairfax lawyer

December 11, 2018

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...

Risks must be taken in criminal defense says Virginia criminal lawyer

December 5, 2018

Risks must be taken in criminal defense, says Virginia criminal lawyer. Risks can abound in criminal defense. As a Fairfax criminal lawyer having defended over three thousand criminal defendants since 1991, I fully know that. For my clients who actually committed the crime for which...

Qualifying expert witnesses in Virginia criminal cases- Fairfax lawyer

December 2, 2018

Qualifying a proposed expert witness for a Virginia criminal trial both rests in the sound discretion of the trial judge, for starters. As a Fairfax criminal lawyer, I also know that qualifying an expert witness for a criminal trial requires the following: If scientific, technical,...

Witness unavailability does not always assure acquittal

November 27, 2018

Witness unavailability for the prosecution will not automatically avoid a conviction for a criminal defendant, which I have said many times as a Fairfax criminal lawyer. Mitchell Larnell Bennett learned that lesson when the Virginia Court of Appeals last week affirmed his felony drug distribution...

Jon is such a kind man and takes his cases very personally

Jon is an absolute master of his craft with a passion to defend his clients! I was unjustly charged with drunk in public at a national airport for wearing a world cup jersey and “smelling of alcohol.” My airline refused my boarding and called the police and without any questioning, I was arrested perfectly sober.

Jon fought for me in court and took my drunk in public case all the way to trial where he hammered the arresting offer for not offering me any sort of intoxication test and for not displaying any drunk in public attributes. It is unheard of to be found not guilt of a drunk in public, yet Jon knew my innocence and knew I was unjustly arrested.

Jon is such a kind man and takes his cases very personally. No matter how small or large your case, Jon will get you the results you need and I highly recommend him for his unbelievable experience and for being a master of his craft. There is no lawyer like Jon and you can count on him to keep you informed and comfortable throughout the entire process.

Jon is the man and I can’t thank him enough for having my found not guilty under a jury trial and beating the unjust system!

Anon.
Source: Avvo
Impossible DWI case

Jon has represented me for my 2nd DWI charge with accident and BAC over 0.20, which seemed impossible to get out of. The case was reduced to a reckless driving. From consultation to case closure, Jon was detailed in every step of the way, and made sure I was aware of every single possible outcome. He will go all out for you, you just have to trust his work and do what he asks. I mentally prepared for the worst case scenario because my case seemed unsolvable. As I am writing this, I still can’t believe how Jon was able to attain this result. I will forever be grateful for Jon and his team for literally giving me a new life. Thank you, Jon, from the bottom of my heart.

Anon.
Source: Avvo
He has a long record of success - and I am happy I made that choice.

Jon was able to negotiate a settlement with the prosecutor that was initially a plea to a lesser charge; then a dismissal of that charge, without admission of guilt, and without conviction . He also negotiated several thousand dollars in fines, down to only paying a one hundred dollar court cost. This result was quite a lot more than I had thought possible. Jon had settled a case that potentially would lead to serious jail sentence – down to essentially no serious penalty at all. This is what Jon did:

1. Over multiple weekly phone conversations, he interviewed me about all relevant factors of the case.

2. He aggressively sought and obtained – thru “discovery”, and “Brady” — multiple bodycams from arresting officers. He spent about 12 hours reviewing these videos carefully. He used the term “inside the four square corners”. This was a term that reflects a careful search for precisely what was used by police to obtain consent to search, and all aspects of the arrest – and if the provided video evidence supported or challenged – the eventual charges. He carefully looked for any details from the scene, or from dialogue, that were exculpatory.

3. He assigned me multiple tasks, beginning on day one – that forced me to focus on the charges, weigh my culpability, and make strong behavioral changes that may possibly indicate to prosecution that I recognize the problems I have created, and am taking direct actions to counter the damage I have done- and obviate future injury or harm. This was additionally helpful because it provided me with a sense of some control over my situation.

4. He spoke to me on numerous occasions, by phone, to give a detailed plan for my defense. He informed me in a firm but also supportive way – seeking my consent – and he was realistic – but also allowed some hope and dignity for the position I was in.

5. He did an extensive literature and case review to find any prior cases that could act as precedent in my case. He was able to find a recent, high profile case, that was settled in a Virginia Court. Its main elements were similar to mine. Jon obtained the transcript of the cross-examination in that case. When Jon had reviewed those elements, he was then able to hire an expert witness who could address the discovered vulnerabilities.

6. Jon showed an extensive knowledge of case law. He also showed expertise in the plea negotiation process.

7. The day of trial, Jon was able to show the prosecutor, and the judge, that he was prepared to offer a methodically laid out defense, with recent precedent, and expert testimony. Also, he was able to present me in a context a little broader that just a person attached to these charges. He showed this event in a broader sense of my life, and convinced the judge that I had taken steps to correct my problems, and that I had been of service to society for many decades. He presented what I believe to be an accurate and FAIR assessment of my situation.

I can look back over the past several months since I hired Jon. It started as a google search for “Best Virginia Lawyer”. The first search results, at the top of the page- I knew these were paid advertisements. I generally skip these ads, trying to find the most accurate reviews. But – and I am happy I did – I also reminded myself that these ads are PAID FOR and whoever is paying for the ads likely IS SUCCESSFUL , so I gave Jon a shot.

He has a long record of success – and I am happy I made that choice.

Anon.
Source: Avvo