Service. Experience. Skill.
All felony, misdemeanor and traffic cases. Serving Northern Virginia in Fairfax County, Prince William County, Stafford County and Fredericksburg.
Service.
Every case is unique. Every client is unique. Your desired case outcome depends on many factors. That’s why identifying your unique goals is our starting point. Once identified, together we develop a plan to best accomplish your goals. We do this through communication and forging a relationship grounded in respect and trust. You will always be consulted before any action is taken in your case.
Communication is key. Your calls, emails and text messages will always be returned. Can’t come into the office? Virtual consults and appointments are always an option. We embrace technology as it helps us efficiently communicate and share case information with clients.
Experience.
Your case preparation begins with preserving, gathering and evaluating evidence. A thorough investigation ensures nothing is missed. Next, we discuss the evidence and how it fits the elements of the charge(s). Negotiations often follow, but not always. Again, this depends on your unique goals. The next step is pre-trial litigation. This includes motions/hearings demanding additional evidence, seeking to suppress evidence or when possible, motions to dispose of the case entirely. The final and most crucial step is the jury trial. This is no place for a timid or inexperienced attorney. Jury trials typically follow the same procedure: selecting/deselecting a jury, opening statements of counsel, presentation/confrontation of evidence, motions to strike evidence, closing arguments and crafting jury instructions. Finally, the jury deliberates and renders a verdict. Trial is difficult and nuanced. Previous jury trial experience should always be your primary consideration when deciding who to hire for your criminal case.
Skill
There is a difference between truth and “trial truth.” This means that most times, a jury will only hear some of the truth. This is sometimes due to the availability of witnesses, the willingness of witnesses to come downtown to testify or the spoliation/loss of evidence. More often, it’s due to the rules of evidence and the court’s rulings on evidentiary issues. This means sometimes the jury is left in the dark as to the “complete” story. We will discuss the evidence, the rules of evidence and then explore ways to ensure the jury hears more of the truth, and less “trial truth.”
Scientific evidence is extremely common in today’s criminal cases. DNA, fingerprint, smartphone, geo location, ballistics and digital evidence are all used by the government at trial. Without the necessary expertise to thoroughly understand, deconstruct and rebut this evidence, your case is in trouble. You need a defense lawyer with the experience and skill to demystify scientific evidence and meet it head on at trial.
Expert witnesses offer opinions on a variety of topics at trial. Expert testimony can be very powerful and persuasive for a jury. Experts opine on everything from a defendant’s mental state at the time of the offense to DNA analysis. They can be employed by the prosecutor and the defense. Knowing when, and equally as important, how to present experts as part of your defense is crucial. In your criminal case, the prosecution will likely have at least one expert witness (think drugs, breath/blood, guns, etc.). The effective cross examination of government experts is critical to your defense. Your lawyer must have a deep understanding of the subject matter, the proven skill and experience to do it properly. The truth is, you need an attorney who’s ready to go, not one who’s ready to learn.