Criminal Defense

If you’re like most people, your cell phone probably contains a significant amount of your personal information. You likely use it to shop, do your banking, pay your bills and schedule your appointments. From that viewpoint, it’s understandable why you wouldn’t want...

When a fire breaks out, investigators must determine the cause of what has happened. Some fires are accidental, sparked by faulty wiring, cooking mishaps or carelessly discarded cigarettes. Others, however, may be classified as arson, a serious criminal offense in...

The United States Constitution provides very specific protections for individuals in this country, many of which have been upheld and clarified by the United States Supreme Court. Some of these rights have to do with people who are in custody by police officers and...

Police use lie detector tests as investigative tools to assess whether someone is telling the truth during an interrogation. If you agree to take the test and fail, does it mean you’ve just sealed your fate? Not necessarily. A failed polygraph test does not mean...

When police officers come to your door, it can be an intimidating experience. In Virginia, as in the rest of the United States, the Fourth Amendment protects people from unreasonable searches and seizures. Does this mean you can refuse to allow officers in?  When the...

Few business owners have any reason to consider how a criminal conviction could threaten their livelihood -- until they’re staring charges in the face. Whether you own a small retail store, a restaurant, a professional practice or a large company, know that a criminal...

For many young adults, college is their first experience living away from home and making autonomous decisions. While this independence is empowering, it also opens the door to mistakes, some of which can have legal consequences. Many college students who find...

The police may search a home or vehicle for evidence related to a crime. After a police search, for example, law enforcement may find illegal substances or weapons, stolen property or other types of incriminating evidence. This type of evidence could be used against...

Your child never drank in high school—at least not that you knew of—so you assumed that they would continue this behavior when they went to college. That’s why you’re so surprised when you get a phone call saying that they’ve been arrested at a party for underage...

Using artificial intelligence (AI) can get you into legal trouble, depending on how you choose to use this technology. While AI tools offer convenience and innovation, misuse can lead to serious criminal and civil consequences. Everyone makes mistakes, and...