Criminal Defense

You need to know your rights so you can exercise them appropriately. When interacting with the police, perhaps when stopped or during questioning, you can invoke your right to remain silent. However, this may not mean staying quiet.  Here is what you need to know:...

Many of the most serious charges prosecuted in Virginia specifically relate to violence against other people. Police officers can arrest anyone accused of physically harming another person. The charges depend on the details of the incident, including the intent behind...

If you are charged as an accessory to a crime in Virginia, it means you were involved in some way, either before or after the crime, without directly committing the offense or being present at the scene. Here are instances when this can happen. You can either be an...

When facing serious charges, such as murder charges, it’s imperative that you understand all of your legal defense options. There are tactics you can use, regardless of the situation. Your future hangs in the balance, so you need to know what steps to take. Every case...

How often have you heard the phrase, "If they confessed to the crime, they must be guilty"? After all, who would confess to a crime they didn't commit? The answer is a lot of people, especially if they are teenagers or young adults. Here’s what you should know: The...

The majority of people have heard the phrase “pleading the Fifth''. Essentially, this means staying quiet when asked a question. The phrase comes from a constitutional right to remain silent, enshrined in the Fifth Amendment.  Those under suspicion or accused of a...

When a teenager or child breaks the law, they may face arrest and prosecution just like an adult might. However, the legal process is vastly different when a defendant is tried as a juvenile, rather than a legal adult. The juvenile justice system in Virginia focuses...

You’ve heard the saying, “There are two sides to every story.” In reality, there are multiple sides to every story. And, if you have been charged with a crime, it’s important to ensure the right story is told. Our memories aren’t exact playbacks Most people believe...

Committing a crime will obviously have consequences if caught. Yet, what some people do not realize is that merely planning to commit a crime could also lead to criminal charges in some cases. Conspiracy to commit a crime is a criminal charge the prosecution may bring...

Every summer, crime rates tend to trend upward. Crime gets to become more common, the police make more arrests, and then the crime rate declines again in the fall. This trend is consistent, so it’s clearly something that is happening for a reason, but what is the...