Criminal Defense

Thefts from retailers of all types and sizes have gotten out of control throughout the country – including here in Virginia. They’ve gone far beyond “shoplifting” and become organized, brazen and sometimes violent – as well as highly costly.  Often, they involve large...

The consequences of a criminal conviction in Virginia can be life-altering not just because of a criminal sentence handed down by the courts but also because of the criminal record that a conviction or guilty plea inspires. The state will report the record of...

A police officer pulls you over. They ask for your license and registration, which you know that you’re required to give them. You provide them with the proper documentation. But then the officer starts asking you questions. Should you answer them? Are you obligated...

While it’s wise to treat the police with respect, you need to realize that they are as prone to mistakes in their work as anyone else. Unfortunately, police mistakes can have serious repercussions for other people. Fortunately, discovering police mistakes could help...

When the police are investigating you for a crime, they will search for evidence to use against you in court. Armed with a warrant, they can comb through every corner of your property in search of anything incriminating. Without a warrant, they can’t intrude at all....

Murder itself is, of course, a felony. There are different levels of murder, such as first-degree murder versus second-degree murder. There are also issues where someone was merely negligent and may have committed manslaughter – an accidental event.  But there’s also...

Did you know that 98% of criminal cases in federal courts are resolved through plea deals? It means you will likely get an offer to settle  your criminal charges outside of trial. The decision to accept or reject the deal is yours, so it helps to have a good...

When people are initially questioned by police, either in their cars or elsewhere, it’s often their first instinct to lie. These lies might be relatively minor, like “No, I haven’t had anything to drink at all today” to extremely serious, like “My roommate was with me...

You may face more than a criminal conviction if you're caught shoplifting. You could also lose your college scholarship.  Here's what you need to know about how a shoplifting conviction can affect your financial aid. It depends on the source of the financial aid For...

You may know little about what happens after a DUI arrest if you have never been in trouble. Your legal counsel will work hard on your behalf, but you also have a role to play in your DUI defense. Instead of stumbling uninformed through your first courtroom...