When Virginia residents are facing drug charges, they may run into some odd-sounding legal terms and constitutional protections. For example, we all have the constitutional right to be protected from “unreasonable search and seizure,” as guaranteed by the Fourth...
Criminal defense
You can say no to field sobriety tests
A DUI stop is a stressful experience for almost anyone. It is natural for you to feel nervous when interacting with the police officers, especially if you did have a drink or two. DUI convictions in Virginia come with serious penalties so it is important that you know...
Can you utilize these defense strategies in your drug case?
A drug-related criminal conviction can crash through your life like a wrecking ball. You’ll probably lose your job and perhaps your freedom, and your criminal record can haunt you for years, perhaps even decades, to come. Even mere allegations of committing a...
Can a car accident escalate to criminal charges?
If you find yourself in a car accident in Virginia, depending on the circumstances, you may worry about both the potential criminal charges alongside civil liability. The likelihood of facing criminal charges hinges on the facts of what happened and why, including...
What raises a marijuana charge to a federal crime?
The landscape of marijuana laws in the United States is diverse. Each state sets its own regulations. While some states embraced legalization or decriminalization, others maintain strict penalties for marijuana-related offenses. Virginia recently took a step towards...
4 ways to block the prosecution’s evidence in your criminal case
To effectively present their case and obtain a conviction, the prosecution is going to utilize physical evidence that was gathered during your criminal investigation. On its face, this evidence might seem insurmountable, but after taking a deep dive into your case,...
Do I always have to show the police my ID in Virginia?
The answer to the question of whether you have to show the police your ID in Virginia depends on the situation and the local laws. No state-wide stop-and-identify law Some states have laws that require people to identify themselves to the police when they are stopped...
Should I talk with the media after I’ve been arrested and charged?
When you are arrested, especially if the alleged crime is a high-profile crime, the police go on a media blitzkrieg. Virginia police give interviews, have press conferences and send out press releases. Even a common arrest that does not make the headlines can end up...
Avoid these five mistakes when under criminal investigation
A lot of people who have been accused of criminal wrongdoing think that they don’t need to build a criminal defense until they’ve been charged with a crime. Sometimes, though, waiting until that point can be too little, too late. Your defense starts once you come...
Drug-sniffing dogs and probable cause
Many Virginia criminal cases involving serious drug charges arise from a relatively simple traffic stop. Woman faces serious charges after traffic stop For instance, a recent news story told of a Leesburg woman who was pulled over due to alleged traffic violations,...