sentencing

Virginia probation revocation (VPR) proceedings can be very stressful on defendants. As a Fairfax criminal lawyer, I know that 2021 brought a great statutory change that limits penalties for alleged "technical" probation violations, versus new convictions that cause a probation violation. Virginia Code § 19.2-306.1 However, if...

Virginia appeals (VApp) to Circuit Court mean that your District Court sentence places no cap on your Circuit Court sentence, if convicted your second time around. As a Fairfax criminal lawyer, I know that with a VApp to Circuit Court, the entire proceedings are de...

Engaging prosecutors is essential for your Virginia criminal attorney to be able to do well. As a Fairfax criminal lawyer, I recently witnessed the truism of all of this in Fairfax Circuit Court. My client reached a favorable plea deal in a serious felony case...

Virginia criminal advocacy must be first rate for criminal defendants. As a Fairfax criminal lawyer, I know that anything less than that risks their liberty, reputation, and livelihood, nad makes them easy pickings for prosecutors and police, which is unacceptable. It is infrequent for me...

Fairfax juror misconduct -- and any juror misconduct -- risks a judicial reversal when the misstep causes possible prejudice for the defendant. As a Virginia criminal lawyer, I congratulate the Fairfax criminal defense lawyers who recently obtained a murder retrial after demonstrating that a juror...

Victims rights (VR) must not be permitted to trample Virginia criminal defendants' rights. As a Fairfax criminal lawyer, I know that they should not even be called Virginia victims (VV's) -- versus alleged VV's or complainants -- before a conviction takes place. I further know...

Virginia criminal court brings the risk of active and/or suspended jail time if you are charged with a Class 1 or 2 misdemeanor or a felony offense. As a Fairfax criminal lawyer, I regularly hear my clients and potential clients ask about their risk of...

Fairfax plea negotiations are more defendant-friendly with the new chief prosecutor, says Virginia criminal lawyer Fairfax plea negotiations with the five-decade Horan-Morrogh prosecutorial regime were less pleasant for criminal defendants than the current practices of commonwealth’s attorney Steve Descano, who took office a year ago....