Criminal Defense

Larceny is the legal term used in Virginia for what you (and most other people) might call theft. It means taking something without the owner’s permission and not intending to give it back. Virginia law splits larceny into two main categories: Petit larceny and grand...

Everyone has rights in the state of Virginia when the police are knocking at the door. You might have to let the police inside, but you don't have to answer any questions. Here's what you should do if the police show up on your doorstep. What should you tell the...

When people use the term “assault and battery,” they often treat the words as if they were interchangeable -- but they’re not. Assault is the act of making threats of bodily harm in such a way that the victim truly fears for their safety. A battery involves actually...

People who are facing criminal charges have a lot of things to think about as part of their defense. One of these is whether they want to plead guilty or not guilty. As part of that decision, they’ll have to consider whether they want to try to work out a plea deal...

White-collar crime is clearly an area of criminal behavior that has seen an increase in cases during the past two decades. People who have the authority to handle corporate or government financial resources can easily be caught improperly allocating those funds, if...

A study conducted by the National Registry of Exonerations uncovered a disturbing trend relating to the cases of individuals wrongfully convicted of a crime that landed them time in prison. The study focused on determining the role prosecutors and police officers...

Generally speaking, you are allowed to record police in Virginia while they are carrying out their official duties. However, there is a chance that your phone or camera could be confiscated if it contains evidence of a crime or if you are being taken into custody...

Many people of color accused of crimes in Virginia and throughout the United States have felt that the justice system has been stacked against them. Two recent studies of the nation's justice system have found that the racial demographics show a mammoth disparity...

False statements are always problematic in any criminal investigation or during a criminal proceeding in Virginia, whether it is a federal or state matter. Inaccurate information can neither be used to prosecute someone, nor can suspects lie to law enforcement...

Someone who has been convicted of a crime in Virginia has the right to appeal their conviction. However, there may be limits to their rights of appeal. Defendants can appeal a conviction once in each court. This means that if their first appeal is not successful, they...