Fairfax DUI defending must fully consider your judge and jury
Fairfax DUI defending must fully consider your judge and jury
Fairfax DUI defending must fully consider your judge and jury
Fairfax DUI defending needs to fully consider your judge at the moment and possible jury members. As a Fairfax DWI lawyer, I know that “Know your judge” is an essential watchword for you and your Virginia driving under the influence defense attorney, defending against prosecutions under Virginia Code § 18.2-266. The same lesson goes for the rest of the Commonwealth, with the unique additional idea that Fairfax Fairfax has more judges than any other county or jurisdiction in the state. On top of that ,in this county, often your judge’s name will not be known more than a day before your court date, if even then. Furthermore, as with other counties, the District Court in this county makes frequent use of substitute judges, who are either active trial judges in other jurisdictions, retired judges, or private practicing lawyers serving in that role. The more information relevant to pursuing your best defense that your attorney knows in advance of your court date, the better.
Fairfax DUI defending is simplified and hopefully enhanced by having a Virginia DWI lawyer who knows the lay of the land
Each Virginia courthouse has its own relevant procedural and practice peculiarities, many of which are not written down. Fairfax DUI defending is ideal when your defense attorney has knowledge and command of those relevant peculiarities. If your attorney does not frequently practice in Fairfax County (FC) courts, it is important that your attorney not let their pride interfere with checking in with an attorney who knows FC practice and procedure well, and even teams up with an FC attorney. Some Virginia counties have courts that are less hospitable with procedures and practice than FC, which does not mean that FC courthouse is a paradise, as all Virginia DWI defense has its challenges. When it comes to race relations, I cannot say that FC is as advanced as it should be — and as the entire nation should be — in that regard. On the other hand, with FC being only around a dozen miles from the nation’s capital and with a strong mix of people of many racial, ethnic and language backgrounds, FC is a more hospitable place overall for criminal defendants of most backgrounds than plenty of more rural and isolated counties..
Virginia DUI defense requires a full court press
As a Fairfax DUI defending lawyer, I know that such defense must be a full court press. Winning battles at trial can be beneficial to a point, but winning the entire war of the case is the ultimate goal. Consequently, if you see the judge constantly rule against your Virginia DWI defense attorney, that does not automatically mean you will lose your case, particularly when you are before a jury, who are not the ones ruling on your attorney’s legal arguments. Conversely, you and your lawyer need to keep your guard up even when judicial rulings seem to be going your way and when the judge and jurors are smiling at you and your lawyer. One recently retired Northern Virginia District Court judge particularly comes to mind who would usually (not always) speak and act as sweet as could be, right down to his usual practice of rarely saying “not” before guilty, and in pronouncing sentence. Any day, I would prefer a scowling judge who acquits my client or at worst gives a favorable sentence, than a smiling and cheerful judge who keeps making prosecutor-friendly rulings and gives harsh sentences.
If the potential District Court judges for my Virginia DUI case rarely acquit, why should I bother obtaining the best possible DWI defense attorney?
It can be disconcerting to learn that your courthouse for your non-jury Virginia DWI trial (misdemeanor Virginia DWI cases ordinarily without a jury, in District Court) has a lot of trouble saying “not” before guilty, or who hands out harsh sentences. However, even if your judge has a harsh reputation — whether with Fairfax DUI defending or in other jurisdiction — your current judge is your judge, and you must face that judge as best you can, with the best possible attorney you can find for your defense. You have no alternative. I have obtained acquittals from judges who rarely say not guilty, and favorable sentences from judges known to be among the harshest. In fact, some Virginia assistant commonwealth’s attorneys / prosecutors may get complacent when they have high conviction percentages with their usual District Court judges in a way that gives your defense attorney more openings to victory. Never give up and never give in with your defense.
Don’t just go through the motions with your Virginia DWI defense, but instead put forth your best possible defense with a great attorney defending you. Fairfax DUI lawyer Jonathan Katz relentlessly pursues your best defense against prosecutions alleging driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Find out what Jon Katz can do for your defense, with a free in-person confidential consultation with Jon about your court-pending prosecution. Usually we can schedule you by the next business day to meet with Jon, by contacting Jon’s staff at 703-383-1100, info@katzjustice.com , and by text at 571-406-7268. You will likely feel more confident and knowledgeable about your defense by the time you meet with Jon. Jon Katz is among the small percentage of Virginia DWI defenders who is a member of the essential National College of DUI Defense (NCDD) or its equivalent.
