Tag Archives: Criminal Defense Fairfax County
Submitting to a Virginia Breathalyzer: What You Should Know
When it comes to being pulled over by a police officer, there is a lot of misinformation. Some of it is harmless, but other information can be very dangerous. There is a sense of fear and uncertainty every time a person is pulled over. It is not normal to have one’s freedom limited. We… Read More »
Understanding Virginia Record Expungement
Perhaps you have heard the terms “expunge,” “sealed record,” or “record destruction.” There is a lot of misinformation on the Web. In fact, this is one of the most misunderstood areas of Virginia law. Here is a brief discussion of expungement and how it is applied in Virginia, including Loudoun, Fairfax, Prince William, and… Read More »
Understanding Noise Ordinances
If you live in or around Leesburg, Virginia, you may or may not be aware of some of the very strict noise ordinances that are in place in towns and villages near you. Over the past few years, there have been a number of landmark cases involving the legality of noise ordinances in Virginia… Read More »
Will the Police Really Stop me for Not Moving Over?
The Virginia State Police have really stepped up measures to prevent officer injuries and fatalities. In the last 15 years, there have been more than 213 police officers killed while performing routine traffic stops. This, according to Move Over America, is the reason for a national movement to require drivers to respect the officers’… Read More »
Cars and Alcohol: A Deadly American Cocktail
In recent years, penalties for drunk driving have continued to increase in severity and frequency. Many states continue to move for harsher penalties and more criminalization of DUI. The cost associated with a violation can be as much as $10,000 or more, once you factor in attorney’s fees, court costs, and lost wages from… Read More »
Virginia State Crime Commission Rejects Asset Forfeiture Reform
In the second major blow to criminal justice reform in Virginia recently, the state’s Crime Commission has voted to reject proposed legislation that would require the government to first obtain a conviction or a guilty plea before subjecting the property of the criminal defendants to civil asset forfeiture. The Crime Commission is a part… Read More »
Public Defender Alleges Unethical Police Conduct
A public defender in Petersburg, Virginia is alleging police misconduct in proceedings to withdraw his client’s guilty plea. Jeffrey Fisher pled guilty to drug and gun charges earlier this year after being arrested during a raid of his home. Later, numerous disturbing facts about the case came to light that had been concealed by… Read More »
Virginia Supreme Court Rejects Criminal Discovery Reform
The Virginia Supreme Court recently rejected a major criminal discovery reform proposal that would have provided criminal defendants with much needed procedural protections. The following explains the legal context of this decision and what it may mean for you if you are accused of a crime. The National Epidemic According to the landmark case… Read More »
Fiery Crash: a Reminder that Fleeing the Police is Always a Bad Idea
A recent high-speed police chase has led to another tragic death. As is so often the case, this horrific event can be instructive for anyone facing the possibility of arrest. At the outset, we should state unequivocally that fleeing the police is always a bad idea. Not only do you risk greater criminal penalties… Read More »
Reckless Driving Charge in Fatal Crash on U.S. 15
A woman from Madison County was killed while a passenger in a single car accident in Culpepper County, Virginia. The driver of the vehicle lost control while driving south on U.S. Highway 15, running off the left side of the road into a row of cedar trees. The 21-year-old driver was treated for injuries,… Read More »
