Fairfax Criminal Defense Blog

Domestic assault and battery charges make an abrupt change in the lives of whoever was involved in the incident. Protective orders play a large role in these changes. If granted, a protective order not only prohibits contact between parties involved in the domestic assault and battery case, but also can result in the petitioner (victim) being granted sole access to a formerly shared residence or vehicle and sole custody of children and pets.

With the legalization of marijuana for recreational use in Virginia, many people don’t understand that it’s still illegal to drive while consuming marijuana or after marijuana has been used. There are, however, some differences when it comes to driving while under the influence of marijuana versus driving under the influence of alcohol.

When someone is convicted of drunk driving, the amount of alcohol present in their bloodstream can affect the severity of the punishment in Virginia. Someone with a very high Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) will receive a harsher penalty than someone with a lesser BAC.

The punishment for subsequent DUI offenses becomes more severe as the number of offenses increases in Virginia. It becomes progressively difficult to convince the court that the offender made a simple mistake because it begins to be seen as a pattern of behavior.

Driving under the influence (DUI) is treated very seriously in Virginia. Even a first offense results in the suspension of the driver’s license, and your arrest for DUI is reported to the Criminal Records Exchange—which means that you may wind up with a criminal record.

In Virginia, a charge of reckless driving isn’t just about paying a fine and moving on with your life. It’s a charge that has significant criminal teeth.  Many people underestimate the seriousness of a reckless driving charge and find themselves surprised by the consequences when they appear in court. Don't let that happen to you.

What if confusion at the scene led the police officer to reach the wrong conclusion, arresting someone as an aggressor when really, they had been trying to stop the violence? Police officers use information they gather at the scene—including severity of injuries, environmental factors, and more—to make their determinations, and it is possible that they can make errors.

The penalties for domestic assault in Virginia are serious and numerous. However, if you have been charged with domestic assault and you meet certain conditions, you may be eligible to participate in the deferred disposition program.

When police are called to a residence where a domestic disagreement is under way, there’s often a lot of confusion and tensions are high. And, because special circumstances surround the way that charges are pressed for Domestic Assault and Battery in Virginia, those charged would benefit from the services of a criminal defense attorney—and victims are also encouraged to hire lawyers.

Being charged with domestic assault and battery in Virginia can upset your life even if it’s your first offense—but your second or third offense could lead to stiffer penalties.

While it is important for juveniles to be educated and held accountable for their actions if they break the law, Virginia’s juvenile justice system treats offenders differently than it does adults. In many cases, being held accountable means going through rehabilitation or education programs that steer offenders to make different choices as they go forward in life.

If you've been charged with credit card fraud in Prince William or Fairfax County in Virginia, you may be charged with a misdemeanor or felony, depending on the value of items (or services) fraudulently obtained (or withheld). A criminal defense attorney can help.