Criminal Defense

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...

For many people, the only time they will really have a conversation with a police officer is if they get pulled over. The officer will want to see their license and registration, and he or she may have certain questions about what was happening when the car was pulled...

It’s not uncommon for multiple people to be charged with committing the same criminal act. From a “white collar” offense like money laundering to a “street crime” like theft or dealing drugs, two or more people are often involved.  Prosecutors often like to try...

If the police are questioning you or interrogating you, even if it’s just a traffic stop, remember that they do not have to be honest with you. They don’t have to tell you the truth. They can make things up or even lie as a means to manipulate you. For instance, a...

The fruit of the poisonous tree is a legal concept referring to how evidence needs to be gathered. If this is done incorrectly, that evidence can then become “poisoned.” This may mean that it cannot be used in court. For example, say that police officers do not have a...