What Happens After a Virginia Felony Arrest?

What Happens After a Virginia Felony Arrest?

After a Virginia felony arrest, your case will usually move through booking, a bail decision, an initial court appearance, a preliminary hearing, grand jury review, and circuit court proceedings. The sequence can change when a case begins with an indictment before arrest, when a preliminary hearing is waived in writing, or when several charges arise […]

Virginia Criminal Court Timeline

Virginia Criminal Court Timeline

A Virginia criminal case may take several weeks, several months, or more than a year. The timeline depends on the charge, the court, the evidence, custody status, pretrial motions, plea discussions, trial preparation, sentencing, and any appeal. Many misdemeanor cases conclude within a few weeks or several months. Felony cases often take longer because they […]

9 Things Not to Say to Virginia Police

9 Things Not to Say to Virginia Police

During a police interview in Virginia, the safest response is usually not a detailed explanation. You can calmly state that you are exercising your right to remain silent and will not answer questions without a lawyer present. Even when you are innocent, guessing, minimizing, accepting an officer’s wording, or trying to fill gaps in your […]

Virginia DUI Security Clearance Risk

Virginia DUI Security Clearance Risk

Yes. A Virginia DUI arrest can place your security clearance under review, but an arrest or conviction does not automatically cause a denial or revocation. Federal adjudicators review the full record, including the facts of the incident, your alcohol-related history, your reporting conduct, and the steps you take to reduce the chance of another event. […]

7 Alexandria Back-to-School Traffic Charges

7 Alexandria Back-to-School Traffic Charges

Back-to-school traffic in Alexandria can bring heavier morning and afternoon congestion, active school-zone limits, frequent school-bus stops, pedestrians in crosswalks, crossing guards, and drivers entering unfamiliar pickup and drop-off areas. A roadside stop may lead to a traffic citation or a criminal traffic allegation, including reckless driving, passing a stopped school bus, driving with a […]

Evidence That May Help Reduce a Virginia DUI Charge

Evidence That May Help Reduce a Virginia DUI Charge

Evidence that raises questions about the traffic stop, vehicle operation, field sobriety testing, officer observations, or chemical test results may help your lawyer seek dismissal, a reduced charge, or more favorable plea terms in a Virginia DUI case. No single record requires a prosecutor to reduce a charge, and every result depends on the facts, […]

Can Virginia Police Search Your Cell Phone After an Arrest?

Can Virginia Police Search Your Cell Phone After an Arrest?

Police in Virginia may take possession of your cell phone during a lawful arrest, but an arrest alone generally does not permit officers to search the phone’s digital contents. Under Riley v. California, police ordinarily need a search warrant, valid consent, or a recognized exception to the warrant requirement before reviewing messages, photographs, applications, location […]

Virginia Underage DUI Charges Before College Move-In

Virginia Underage DUI Charges Before College Move-In

Virginia applies a lower alcohol threshold to drivers who are younger than 21. A student may face an underage alcohol-related driving charge with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.02 percent or more but less than 0.08 percent after illegally consuming alcohol. A conviction under Virginia Code § 18.2-266.1 is a Class 1 misdemeanor. It can […]

What Happens If You Miss Your Virginia Court Date?

What Happens If You Miss Your Virginia Court Date?

If you miss a Virginia court date, the court may issue a warrant, forfeit bond, suspend driving privileges in certain traffic cases, or add a new failure to appear charge. The result depends on the type of case, the court, whether the missed appearance was willful, and how quickly you respond. Virginia law recognizes that […]

Can Text Messages Be Used Against You in a Virginia Criminal Case?

Can Text Messages Be Used Against You in a Virginia Criminal Case?

Yes, text messages can be used against you in a Virginia criminal case if prosecutors can show that the messages are relevant, authentic, and admissible under the rules of evidence. A screenshot alone may not be enough, but messages can become powerful evidence when linked to a phone number, device, account, witness testimony, police extraction, […]