Northern Virginia criminal lawyer

Prosecution continues fully in Northern Virginia after vocal reformer chief prosecutors took office in Fairfax County, Arlington and Loudoun. As a Fairfax criminal defense lawyer, I correctly expected that the new chief prosecutors would be no worse for criminal defendants than their immediate predecessors, and...

Life in prison is the mandatory sentence that will come to any adult convicted in Virginia for object sexual penetration against someone under thirteen. As a Fairfax criminal lawyer, I know that a large percentage of adults not only are sexually attracted to children, but...

Reform in criminal law -- to criminal defendants' benefit -- is a likelihood for this winter's Virginia legislative session, now that Democrats control both the executive branch and both houses of the Virginia legislature. As a Fairfax criminal lawyer, I am keeping track of these...

Firearm and ammunition possession by those with a prior felony conviction is a Class 6 felony in Virginia, with more severe penalties if the prior conviction was for a violent felony. Va. Code § 18.2-308.2. As a Fairfax criminal defense lawyer, I know that firearm...

Appear timely for your criminal court date, or risk an appearance failure (FTA) prosecution and warrant for your arrest. As a Fairfax criminal lawyer, I know that many criminal defendants incur FTA charges, whether due to not appearing on the arraignment date, missing a hearing...

Field sobriety tests ("FSTs") are routinely requested by police investigating DWI suspects. As a Fairfax DUI lawyer, I know that even the most sober person can perform poorly on such FSTs as standing on one leg while holding the other at least six inches off...

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...