DWI / DUI

DUI defense in Fairfax County, Virginia has its own similarities and differences to nearby counties. As a Fairfax criminal lawyer, I deal with each county's differing courthouse landscape in defending against DWI and other criminal charges. I have written previously about handling criminal investigations, dealing...

Blood tests are frequently obtained pursuant to a search warrant in Virginia DWI cases where the arrestee refuses breath testing, is unable to provide a sufficient breath sample, has been injured and taken to the hospital, or is suspected of having being influenced by drugs....

Working with your Virginia DUI lawyer is about teamwork and not standing on the sidelines as a spectator. As a Fairfax criminal lawyer, I have experienced the wonderful results that take place when my client and I work as a united front. DWI and criminal...

Choosing a Fairfax DUI lawyer or criminal attorney is a critically important decision. Here are some things to consider in making that choice: Criminal defense work is not for the faint of heart. As a Fairfax DUI lawyer / criminal attorney, I know that this...

Federal court DUI and misdemeanor defense is different from Virginia state court misdemeanor defense in several ways, including that federal court does not provide the option for a new trial on appeal, unlike the Virginia state system that entitles a defendant to a new trial...

Federal DWI charges are common in Northern Virginia, and require a different set of laws and procedures than is involved in Virginia General District Court and Circuit Court. As a Virginia DUI lawyer, I have defended many such cases over the years, with the DUI...

Refusing pre-arrest breath testing in a Virginia DUI investigation is wise when one has consumed any alcohol, as this is a voluntary test and the testing can be even more inaccurate than the already-inaccurate Intox EC/IR II breath testing machine that is used post-arrest for...

Habitual drunkard laws are found in the Virginia Code and in federal immigration law. As a Fairfax DUI lawyer, I am delighted that a deeply divided United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit this week invalidated Virginia's habitual drunkard law as unconstitutional. Manning,...

Hunches by themselves do not permit police stops of suspects. As a Fairfax DUI lawyer, I know that at minimum, the police officer needs reasonable articulable suspicion to stop a suspect. Moreover, Virginia has not yet recognized a community caretaker basis for police to stop...

Videotaping is an advance over not having videotaping of police encounters. At the same time, police filming does not reveal the entire situation. As a Virginia DUI defense lawyer, I know that effective motions hearing and trial cross examination of police is essential for criminal...