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Case Results

The Right Attorney Makes
All The Difference

  • Case Dismissed Domestic Violence
    • Domestic Violence

    Our client was charged with domestic violence. The complainant - wife - alleged that our client beat her after she took his cell phone from him. On cross-examination, the alleged victim admitted that she thought her husband was cheating on her but refused to agree that she was angry at him. In addition, the alleged victim admitted that it was her taking of the cell phone that prompted our client to attempt to forcefully retrieve the item. Having prepared our client to testify, he never minimized his attempts to forcefully secure his property. Case dismissed.

  • Case Dismissed Domestic Violence
    • Domestic Violence

    Our client was charged with domestic violence. Upon discussing the case with the alleged victim we determined a number of discrepancies between her statement to our investigator and the statement given to magistrate at the time of filing the action. Based upon our discussions with the Commonwealth attorney the charge was dismissed on their motion.

  • Case Dismissed Possession of Marijuana
    • Drug Crimes

    Our client was charged with possession of marijuana a class one misdemeanor. The evidence produced by the Commonwealth indicated that the marijuana was located in the trunk area of the car, that the trunk was messy, and that the defendant was the sole occupier of the car at the time of the stop. We argued that without the defendant's statement admitting that the marijuana was his/ hers the Commonwealth had failed to prove possession by the mere presence of the contraband in the vehicle. Case dismissed.

  • Case Dismissed Illegal Inhalation of Drugs
    • Drug Crimes

    Our client was charged with the illegal inhalation of drugs - mainly nitrous oxide. The officer testified that he came upon the hotel room occupied by the Defendant and several others in response to a call that the Defendant had overdosed on suspected nitrous oxide. Upon entry the Officer found the Defendant face down on the floor surrounded by empty nitrous oxide canisters. The Defendant was brought to the hospital where he was treated and released. The officer attempted to elicit that the Defendant had inhaled the drugs without independent knowledge or a statement from the Defendant admitting to the same. Our motion to strike the evidence was sustained and the case was dismissed.

  • Case Dismissed Possession of Marijuana
    • Drug Crimes

    Our client was charged with possession of marijuana first offense. The City of Virginia Beach presented evidence indicating that the officer pulled the Defendant on the pretense that he saw the Defendant smoking what he believed was suspected marijuana. On cross-examination the officer admitted that their windows were up and other than seeing the Defendant smoke he could not tell whether what they were smoking was a cigarette or a marijuana joint. The charge of possession of marijuana was dismissed since the officer failed to articulate reasonable suspicion that the Defendant was in the midst of smoking pot.

  • Case Dismissed Phish Concert Marijuana busts
    • Drug Crimes

    Our clients were involved in the Phish concert marijuana busts in Hampton and we got all charges reduced to deferred findings and the charges eventually dismissed with no jail time and small fines.

  • Convicted of One Count Distribution of Drugs & Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor
    • Drug Crimes

    Our client was charged with four counts of distribution of drugs to minors (felony) and two counts of contributing to delinquency of a minor (misdemeanor). The commonwealth could not prove that marijuana recovered from his car was the same substance given to the minors. At the very least all they could show was that it was a cigarette. The Defendant was ultimately convicted of one Count of delinquency of a minor.

  • Case Dismissed Possession of Cocaine
    • Drug Crimes

    our client was charged with possession of cocaine a class 6 felony. The Commonwealth presented evidence indicating that the Defendant admitted to smoking crack in a pipe earlier in the day and having used a pipe that was found in another individual's residence. The pipe tested positive for cocaine. On cross-examination, the officer was unable to testify when the crack residue found in the pipe was smoked and additionally, whether it was before or after the crack pipe was used by the Defendant. The case was dismissed on the failure of the commonwealth to prove that the Defendant actually possessed cocaine within their jurisdiction.

  • Case Dismissed Possession of Cocaine
    • Drug Crimes

    Our client was charged with possession of cocaine. We filed a motion to suppress the evidence seized as a result of an illegal seizure. The Commonwealth presented evidence indicating that on the day in question an officer who was serving a warrant on a known felon stopped outside of the house where he observed the Defendant knock on the door several times and leave after receiving no response. The Officer, believing that the defendant was the individual he was searching for, pulled up to the car the Defendant had entered and asked for his driver's license. The defendant produced the driver's license at which time the officer testified he noticed that the Defendant was nervous. The officer asked if the Defendant had anything on him at which point the Defendant handed him suspected narcotics.

  • Case Dismissed Possession of Cocaine
    • Drug Crimes

    Our client was charged with possession of cocaine. We filed a motion to suppress the evidence seized as a result of an illegal seizure. The Commonwealth presented evidence indicating that on the day in question an officer who was serving a warrant on a known felon stopped outside of the house where he observed the Defendant knock on the door several times and leave after receiving no response. The Officer, believing that the defendant was the individual he was searching for, pulled up to the car the Defendant had entered and asked for his driver's license. The defendant produced the driver's license at which time the officer testified he noticed that the Defendant was nervous. The officer asked if the Defendant had anything on him at which point the Defendant handed him suspected narcotics.

    We argued that once the Officer determined that the individual on the license was not the individual being sought he had an obligation to return his driver's license to him and that without doing so, his keeping of the license was tantamount to an illegal seizure, the fruits of which must be suppressed. Case dismissed.

  • Case Dismissed Possession of Marijuana with the Intent to Distribute
    • Drug Crimes

    Our client was charged with possession of marijuana with intent to distribute. The officer testified that he stopped my client's vehicle in a high crime area and requested that he exit the car for officer safety. Upon exiting the car the officer patted my client down and reached into his pocket discovering several bags of a leafy green matter he suspected to be marijuana. On cross-examination, the officer admitted that at the time he reached into my client's pockets he did not believe that my client was carrying a weapon in that particular area.

    We argued that under Virginia law, officers are allowed to conduct a "pat down" search of the out reaches of the Defendant's clothes for officer safety but are not allowed to reach inside the pockets unless they believe through a pat down that the area contains a weapon. The Court sustained our motion to suppress the evidence.

  • Case Dismissed Possession of Marijuana
    • Drug Crimes

    Our client was charged with possession of marijuana first offense - a class two misdemeanor that carries the possibility of thirty days in jail, twelve months suspension of license and $1000 in fines. The officer testified that he stopped our client for defective equipment. He indicated that upon approaching the car, he smelled an odor of alcohol, placed our client in the back of his vehicle, and searched our client's vehicle then finding the suspected marijuana. We successfully argued that (1) the officer failed to testify to an infraction of the law - in as much as he was not factually specific as to the actual cause for the stop and (2) that the officer lacked probable cause to arrest our client by placing her in his vehicle because at the time he did so there was not an arrestable offense committed within his presence. Case dismissed.

  • Case Dismissed Possession of Cocaine
    • Drug Crimes

    Our client was charged with possession of cocaine. The circumstantial evidence showed that our client was operating a motor vehicle with one other front -seated passenger. On direct, the officer testified that he found a smoking device with suspected crack cocaine located in the driver side map pocket. On cross-examination, the officer admitted that our client made no furtive movements upon his approach to the vehicle, that the item was covered by a cloth, that the item was not hot to the touch, that our client's car was not registered to her, and that our client did not appear to be under the influence of drugs. Case dismissed!

  • Case Dismissed Possession of Cocaine
    • Drug Crimes

    Our client was charged with possession of cocaine a class five felony carrying the possibility of ten years in the Virginia State penitentiary and Five thousand dollars in fines. The Commonwealths best evidence was that a crack stem was found in the driver side door pocket in the vehicle the client was operating at the time of the stop. On cross examination the officer admitted that the crack stem was not visible without first manipulating other objects in the way, that the crack stem was cool to the touch and that the client informed the officer that the crack stem was not hers.

    There is no presumption in Virginia that the driver is presumed to have possession of items found in his or her vehicle. Moreover, constructive possession was not established without circumstantial proof that the client knew that the item was present. The court dismissed the charges.

  • Case Dismissed Possession of Marijuana
    • Drug Crimes

    Our client was charged with simple possession of marijuana a class two misdemeanors that carries the possibility of six months in jail and six months suspension of driving privileges. The common-wealth's best evidence proved that the Defendant had been properly arrested for an unrelated traffic offense. Subsequent to arrest and prior to being processed into jail the client was search and marijuana was found inside the client's pocket. On cross examination the officer admitted that the marijuana substance was extremely small, that the substance was also located next to lint and that the Defendant denied knowing that the speck of marijuana was on his person.

    The Court dismissed the charge of simple possession.

  • Case Dismissed Driving Under the Influence
    • DUI

    Our client was charged with driving under the influence second offense - accident with a blood alcohol content of .18. The Commonwealth evidence showed that on the date of the offense the Defendant admitted to the officer that he had consumed alcohol. Moreover, his performance of the field sobriety tests was poor which gave the officer probable cause to effectuate a proper arrest. The case was dismissed on a motion to strike based upon the officer's failure to testify as to the time of the accident. Virginia law requires that a defendant be given an opportunity to submit to a breath or blood test within three hours of the time of operation. Without the time of operation, the Commonwealth was unable to meet its burden.

  • Reduced to Reckless Driving Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol
    • DUI

    Our client was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol with a .07 BAC. Under Virginia law .08 and above creates a presumption of intoxication at the time of operation whereas .05 to .07 can be used as evidence in total but does not create a presumption either way. On cross-examination, the officer admitted that the Defendant was nervous during the testing period which may have led to some of his mishaps on the cognitive end of the field sobriety tests. Furthermore, although the Defendant did not do everything that the officer instructed, the Defendant's mishaps on the field sobriety tests that tested dexterity could have been attributed to the boots he was wearing and the slight slope on the portion of roadway that the officer had the Defendant perform the tests. Driving under the influence reduced to reckless driving.

  • Case Dismissed Driving Under the Influence - 2nd offense
    • DUI

    Our client was charged with DUI second offense. The officer testified that the keys were in the ignition but could not testify as to whether it was turned on or in the auxiliary position. The case was dismissed because the Commonwealth was unable to prove the key element of operation.

  • Reduced to Reckless Driving Speeding and Driving Under the Influence
    • DUI

    Our client was charged with speeding and driving under the influence of alcohol, a class one misdemeanor in Virginia which carries the possibility of 12 months in jail, 12 months suspension of license, and a $2500 fine. The Commonwealth presented evidence indicating that the Defendant had a blood alcohol content of .09 which in Virginia creates a rebuttable presumption of impairment at the time the Defendant operates the motor vehicle. On cross-examination, the officer admitted that although the defendant was pulled for speeding there was nothing unusual about his driving of the motor vehicle, that there was no weaving involved, that he signaled at all turns, and that he maintained what seemed to be good general control of the vehicle. Furthermore, the officer admitted that upon approaching the Defendant's vehicle that the Defendant was able to provide his license and registration without incident, that he exited the vehicle without trouble, and that his speech although slurred was not incoherent. Further admissions paid tribute to the Defendant's ability to perform all standardized field sobriety tests adequately. The charge of driving under the influence was reduced to reckless driving and a small fine was assessed.

  • Case Dismissed Driving under the Influence
    • DUI

    Our client was charged with driving under the influence on federal property in Federal Court. My client approached the gate of Fort Eustis, a military base, by mistake and attempted to make a u-turn. Upon approaching the gate and informing the officer of the same he was ordered by a second officer to a checkpoint on suspicion of driving while impaired. A timely objection was made by the defense indicating that although the Government has a right to search incident to entry that search is limited to those situations where the individual is attempting to gain entry since the law that provides the government the right to search is limited to base security. The Judge upheld the objection and dismissed the charge of driving under the influence.

  • Case Dismissed Driving under the Influence
    • DUI

    Our client was charged with driving under the influence. The officer testified as to the results of the preliminary. We argued that under 18.2-267 the preliminary breath test could not be admitted into evidence and the Court dismissed the charge of DUI.

  • Case Dismissed Driving under the Influence
    • DUI

    Our client was charged with driving under the influence on a federal base. He blew a .10 and performed extraordinarily well on his field sobriety tests. Furthermore, the arresting officer on cross-examination indicated that there was nothing odd about my client's operation of the vehicle, his ability to obtain his license and registration on request, nor his ability to stand, walk or communicate with the officer. We argued that a .10 BAC creates a rebuttable presumption and that under a totality of the circumstances my client had overcome this presumption. The Court agreed to dismiss the charge of driving under the influence.

  • Case Dismissed Driving on Revoked License
    • DUI

    Our client was charged with driving on a revoked license after being revoked for driving under the influence. The officer testified that she pulled up behind the defendant and ran his tags wherein the owner of the vehicle came back suspended. The officer activated her emergency lights and pulled the Defendant over based upon her investigation. The Court held that the officer stop was not reasonable since the officer could not determine to a reasonable degree of certainty that the owner of the vehicle was driving at the time of the offense.

  • Case Dismissed Driving Under the Influence
    • DUI

    Our client was charged with DUI .19 (which currently carries a mandatory minimum of five days in jail) and a hit and run misdemeanor. The officer testified to the Preliminary breath results, which resulted in the early dismissal of the DUI charge. On cross-examination, the injured party could not testify as to the exact time of the accident but thought it was between 8 and 8:30 PM. We successfully argued that since two- hours time may have elapsed between the time of the accident and the time of the stop a reasonable hypothesis of innocence existed. Both Charges dismissed.

  • Case Dismissed Driving under the Influence/ Refusal
    • DUI

    Our client was charged with driving under the influence/refusal. The officer testified that he stopped our client on the side of a highway on-ramp and that because of the slope of the on-ramp he felt that it was unsafe for our client to perform most of the field sobriety tests. On cross-examination the officer admitted that level ground was a mere four hundred feet away and that he could have had our client perform the tests there. We successfully argued that the presumption innocence present on all criminal cases carries over to the tests so that it should be presumed that he had the opportunity to perform the tests he would have performed well. DUI charge dismissed.

  • Reduced to Reckless Driving Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol
    • DUI

    Our client was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol first offense (BAC .09).  On cross examination of the officer, the officer admitted that our client did better on his field sobriety tests than he had previously testified to on direct examination. We argued that although the presumption of impairment applied a totality of the circumstances (the client's operation of the motor vehicle, ability to stand without swaying, and his performance on the field sobriety tests), did not exclude every reasonable hypothesis of innocence. Driving under the influence charge was reduced to reckless driving.

  • Case Dismissed Boating Under the Influence
    • DUI

    Our client was charged with boating under the influence when his Jet Ski was apprehended based upon beach life guard's phone call. Based upon the finding at the scene the officer properly arrested the Defendant for boating under the influence. The Defendant submitted to a Breathalyzer and blew a .14 per 210 liters.

    The Court file reflected that our office had requested a copy of the Breathalyzer and that the Clerks office indicated that the certificate had not been filed. On Defense motion the Court reviewed the file and learned that a clerical error had been made. Case dismissed on a technicality.

  • Reduced to Standard DUI Offense Driving Under the Influence
    • DUI

    Our client was charged with driving under the influence 2nd offense with a blood alcohol content of .23 which carried a mandatory minimum amount of thirty days in jail and an assault and battery of a law enforcement officer (felony) which carries a mandatory minimum of 6 months in jail. The evidence produced at trial was that the arresting officer had requested that the client remove herself from the vehicle on several occasions. After making the request and being denied on several occasions the officer pulled the client out of the vehicle by her arms and our client grabbed the officer's arms leaving significant deep scratch marks along his arm.

    The commonwealth attorney assigned to the case was unwilling to reduce or plea down the charges. On cross-examination, the officer made admissions as to the possible intent of the driver upon grabbing his arm. As a result, the felony charge of assault and battery of a law enforcement officer was dismissed.

    On the driving under the influence charge, the commonwealth could not secure a certified copy of the prior offense and failed to properly file a copy of the blood alcohol certificate as required by statute. The charge of DUI second with a BAC of .23 was reduced to a standard DUI first offense.

  • All Charges Dismissed Suspended License
    • DUI

    Our client was charged with driving on a suspended license. This was client's 2 nd offense. Client had failed to obey stop sign and additionally had expired registration. Pleaded not guilty. All charges dismissed.

  • No Time Served Suspended License
    • DUI

    Our client driving on a suspended license. This was his 5 th offense. Under Virginia law, the 5th offense carries a mandatory minimum of 10 days incarceration. Court sided with Attorney Miller's legal argument. No time served!

  • Case Dismissed Felony Possession of Stolen Property
    • Felony Defense

    Our client was charged with felony possession of stolen property. The Commonwealth's best evidence was that a motor cycle had been stolen some time in 2007 and that our client had made an admission that he had purchased the motor cycle worth close to $5000 for $2500. The case law in Virginia supports the proposition that only recently stolen property creates the presumption of knowledge. We successfully convinced the Commonwealth attorney to dismiss the charges based upon their inability to prove the client's knowledge that the property was stolen.

  • Case Dismissed Felony Bad Check
    • Felony Defense

    Our client was charged with felony bad check in the amount of $7500. the Statute in Virginia makes this charge a class six felony with the possibility of five years in the Virginia State penitentiary. At the preliminary hearing the alleged victim testified that the Defendant had provided a check on the date of the offense and indicated at the time that the check was presented that the check would be good in a few days. The case law in Virginia supports the proposition that the intent to defraud must exist at the time presentment and that a promise to pay at a later date is not criminal in nature but reserved for civil action.

    The General district Court dismissed the action at the preliminary hearing level.

  • Case Dismissed Under Age Possession of Alcohol
    • Juvenile Crimes

    Our client was charged with underage possession of alcohol. The officer stated that he approached the Defendant because he saw him stumble several times along a public sidewalk. Upon further investigation, the officer indicated that he learned that the Defendant was intoxicated and that he was underage by way of his driver's license. We argued that the Court lacked jurisdiction because although the evidence was clear that the Defendant was intoxicated and in the City of Virginia beach the court lacked jurisdiction because the officer could not testify as to where the alcohol was consumed and possessed. Case dismissed.

  • Case Dismissed Fraudulent use of Identification and Illegal Possession of Alcohol
    • Juvenile Crimes

    Our client was charged with fraudulent use of identification and illegal possession of alcohol. The officer testified that he was alerted to our client by the bar manager who indicated that our client was underage and had been previously been removed from the premises for underage drinking. The officer also indicated that our client was consuming alcohol at the time he approached and that upon requesting identification he retrieved an id that our client later admitted was not hers. We successfully argued that the city failed to prove our client's actual age, which is an element of underage possession, and that they failed to prove that our client had used the identification to obtain access into the establishment. Both charges were dismissed.

  • Case Dismissed Illegal Possession of Alcohol
    • Juvenile Crimes

    Our client was charged with illegal possession of alcohol and failing to appear for Court – two class one misdemeanors that carry the possibility of twenty-four months in jail and $5000 in fines. The officer testified that he witnessed our client drinking what he suspected to alcohol. Upon further investigation he determined that the client was under the proper age. The Court dismissed the charge on a motion to strike based upon the officer's failure to testify as to the actual age of the client.

  • Case Dismissed Obstruction of Justice
    • Obstruction of Justice

    Our client was charged with obstruction of justice. The officer testified that he came upon the scene of an accident and saw an individual fleeing from the driver side of a car that was involved in the single-car accident. When the officer approached, the Defendant indicated that he was the driver of the vehicle and that there was no individual fleeing the scene. On cross-examination the officer admitted that although he saw the individual fleeing he did not see the accident and did not actually see the driver side door open. Case dismissed on lack of evidence grounds.

  • Case Dismissed Obstruction of Justice
    • Obstruction of Justice

    Our client was arrested for obstruction of justice after a shooting occurred at a hotel he was staying at. The police went to the second floor of the hotel and found bullet holes in some of the doors. My client's roommate opened the door and the police took him outside. The police kept yelling for our client to come outside, but he would not show himself. Eventually, our client came outside and they arrested him for obstruction of justice. The Court dismissed the charge based upon our argument that the police had not informed our client why they wanted him to come outside and the officer failed to prove that our client knew who they were or what they wanted.

  • Served 12 Months in Jail Obstruction of Justice
    • Obstruction of Justice

    Our client was charged with obstruction of justice, discharge of a firearm a carrying a concealed weapon about his person, three class one misdemeanors carrying a potential for thirty-six months in jail, and $7500 in fines. The evidence in the case was that the defendant had gotten into an argument at a local bar, went to his car pulled out his firearm, and brandished the firearm firing several shots into the air. We were able to successfully negotiate a plea wherein the client plead guilty to one count of carrying a concealed weapon. Based upon argument presented at sentencing the client received twelve months in jail all of which was suspended.

  • Case Dismissed Statutory Rape
    • Sex Crimes

    Our client was charged with several counts of statutory rape and was facing life in prison. The evidence presented by the commonwealth was based solely on the alleged victim's statements alleging that the events occurred sometime within a two year time period, that the first complaint made was several months after the alleged incident occurred, that the complaint was not filed until a couple years after the alleged incident and that at the time the incident occurred my client was in a supervisory position over the alleged victim (i.e., a baby sitter). We presented both medical evidence and alibi evidence showing that our client's version of the events, which were in direct contradiction to the alleged victims were more credible. All charges were dismissed.

  • Lesser Charge on Appeal Sexual Battery
    • Sex Crimes

    Our client was charged with sexual battery when the victim, a passenger in our client's vehicle, alleged that our client had touched her private region against her will. Our investigator spoke to the victim on several occasions, which turned up several different conflicting stories. The victim was unable to withstand cross-examination and admitted that the areas were not her private areas. Sexual battery was reduced to misdemeanor assault and battery. We appealed the Court's decision. Lesser charge is currently on appeal.

  • Case Dismissed Petty Larceny
    • Theft Crimes

    Our client was charged with petty larceny on federal property for the alleged taking of items from an on-base store. The US Government presented evidence, mainly a video indicating that my client took several boxes of cologne from a shelf, placed them amongst other items in her cart, and paid for everything except for the cologne. On cross-examination, the store detective admitted that she could not state with any reasonable certainty that my client attempted to obscure the items in her basket, admitted that she had every opportunity to obscure the items so, and admitted that she was adamant upon apprehension that she had just forgotten about the items. Defense offered evidence from the Defendant who indicated that it was a simple mistake. The Judge dismissed the charge of petty larceny.

  • Case Dismissed Charged with Petty Larceny
    • Theft Crimes

    Our client was charged with petty larceny. A video of store allegedly would have shown the client taking certain items and pocketing them. At trial the Commonwealth Attorney attempted to introduce testimony of what three eyewitnesses saw on videotape. On our objection the Court excluded the testimony on the basis that the best evidence was the actual videotape and that testimony of what video taped portrayed was inadmissible hearsay. Charge of petty larceny dismissed.

  • Case Dismissed Robbery
    • Theft Crimes

    Our client was charged with robbery. This case was nolle prossed because the victim right before taking the stand admitted that she could not identify the defendant as the perpetrated and the detective confirmed.

  • Case Dismissed Embezzlement
    • Theft Crimes

    Our client was charged with embezzlement from a former employer on the basis that she, as the bookkeeper had written checks out on the account to herself that were allegedly not authorized but signed by the owner of the company. The commonwealth agreed to nolle pross the matters after being shown that they failed to meet all of the elements of embezzlement. Case dismissed.

  • Case Dismissed Possession of Stolen Property and Breaking and Entering
    • Theft Crimes

    Our client was charged with 2 counts of possession of stolen property and breaking and entering. The Commonwealth attorney presented evidence indicating that the D was found in possession of the stolen goods and attempted to pawn the same at two separate locations one of which was outside the jurisdiction of the charging city. The Court dismissed the one count of possession of stolen goods finding that even though the property was stolen in the charging city there was no showing that the d had possession of the same within the charging city. Charge of B and E and possession of stolen property dismissed.

  • Case Dismissed Domestic Assault & Battery
    • Violent Crimes

    Our client was charged with assault and battery of a family member. The victim testified that the Defendant had grabbed her from behind and threw her to the floor and ripped her shirt and she was trying to get away. Cross-examination elicited that the injuries alleged to have been sustained were not consistent with the testimony given on direct examination. Case dismissed.

  • Case Dismissed Hit and Run and Driving on Suspended License
    • Traffic Violations

    Our client was charged with hit and run and three counts of driving on a suspended license - all charges were dismissed because they couldn't prove that he was operating the vehicle at the time of the accident since they pulled him over long after the accident occurred and they couldn't prove notice on any of the suspended license charges.

  • Case Dismissed Traffic Violation
    • Traffic Violations

    Our client was charged with driving down a one-way street. The officer testified that the street had properly posted signs at either end of the street but that not all intersections in between the two ends had signs on them. The Court dismissed the charge on the basis that the Defendant may have lacked proper notice.

  • Case Dismissed Reckless Driving and Open Container
    • Traffic Violations

    Our client was charged with reckless driving and open container. My client avoided a DUI checkpoint by driving over a median and making an illegal U-turn. The Court found my client not guilty of reckless driving because the operation of the motor vehicle did not in and of itself endanger life, limb or property as required by statute. As to the open container, the container was located on the floor of the passenger seat. The Court dismissed this charge because they could not prove that my client knew of its presence.

  • Reduced to Defective Equipment Reckless Driving 92/55
    • Traffic Violations

    Our client was charged with reckless driving 92/55 a class one misdemeanor that carries the possibility of twelve months in jail, $2500 in fines, and twelve months suspension of license. At our request, our client obtained a vehicle calibration and attended a driver improvement school. We argued to the Court that a reckless driving offense would create an unreasonable hardship. Reckless driving charge reduced to defective equipment - a non-moving violation.

  • Case Dismissed Reckless Driving
    • Traffic Violations

    Our client was charged with reckless driving accident. On cross-examination of the commonwealth's witness it became apparent that the complainant was partially at fault. We successfully argued that under relevant case law the mere occurrence of an accident in and of itself is insufficient for a finding of guilt. Charge dismissed.

  • Case Dismissed Reckless Driving
    • Traffic Violations

    Our client was charged with reckless driving – operating his motor vehicle at a speed of 91 miles per hour in a 55 mph zone. On cross-examination, the officer was able to produce a calibration for the vehicle for which he used to pace but the calibration was not properly authenticated. Court held the calibration inadmissible – case dismissed.

  • Paid Court Costs Hit and Run, Reckless Driving and Providing a False Police Report
    • Traffic Violations

    Our client was charged with misdemeanor hit and run, misdemeanor reckless driving, and providing a false police report. Pursuant to Virginia Statute the client was facing a total of 36 months in the city jail and a $7500 fine. We negotiated a plea agreement with the officer wherein the client plead guilty to providing a false police report and the remaining charges were dismissed. Based upon argument made at the time of sentencing the client was fined $50 and ordered to pay Court costs.

  • Case Dismissed Bomb Threats
    • Violent Crimes

    Our client was charged with making a bomb threat.  In discussions with the Commonwealth's witnesses, it was pointed out that although they were able to track the call to my client they were not going to be able to say with any certainty whether it was my client on the other line even though the caller had information that perhaps only the Defendant would have known. The Commonwealth attorney agreed to dismiss the charges after confirming that their case lacked the ability to identify the Defendant as the perpetrator.

  • Case Dismissed Extortion by Threat
    • Violent Crimes

    Our client was charged with extortion by threat charge, a felony in the Commonwealth of Virginia. The complainant was indicating that the Defendant falsely accused him, the owner of a tanning salon, with peeping into her tanning bed. The evidence would have indicated that the Defendant upon leaving the tanning salon called the complainant and said that unless he paid her $2500 she was going to call the police and charge him with peeping tom. The Complainant never paid and the Defendant brought the charge of peeping tom against the Complainant. The parties signed an accord and Satisfaction and the charge against both my client and the complainant were nolle prossed by the Court.

  • Case Dismissed Possession of Concealed Weapon
    • Violent Crimes

    Our client was charged with possession of a concealed weapon specifically a six-inch butterfly knife with one sharp edge. On argument we relied upon the statute which gives a laundry list of knifes but does not specifically indicate the knife held by the defendant. Case dismissed.

  • Case Dismissed Assault & Battery of a Family Member
    • Violent Crimes

    Our client was charged with two counts of assault and battery of a family member. During trial in Juvenile Domestic Relations Court and upon cross-examination of the commonwealth witnesses, we were able to elicit that their stories were inherently incredible and show that they had motive to lie. The Court discarded the commonwealth evidence and both counts were dismissed.

  • Case Dismissed Carrying a Concealed Weapon in an Airport
    • Violent Crimes

    Our client was charged with carrying a concealed weapon in an airport. The airport security officers testified that they found a four-inch switchblade in our client's workbag. On cross-examination the officer admitted that he no longer had possession of the physical evidence and only recalled that our client acted surprised upon the officer finding the knife. The Court granted our motion to strike and dismissed the charge on the grounds that the knife did not properly fit in the laundry list of weapons prohibited in the charging statute.

  • Case Dismissed Assault of a Juvenile
    • Violent Crimes

    Our client, who runs a daycare, was charged with the assault and battery of a minor child left in her care, a class one misdemeanor carrying the possibility of up to one year in jail. Upon cross-examination of the complaining witnesses it became apparent that the child had told more than one story on several occasions to the parents.

    Additionally, our witness, a child protective service worker, who had screened the case, came to the conclusion that the injury could not have been the product of an assault as alleged. Case dismissed.

  • Case Dismissed Assault of a Police Officer
    • Violent Crimes

    Our client was charged with assaulting a police officer - a class six felony carrying a maximum punishment of ten years in prison. The officer testified that our client was watching a fight between two other individuals. That upon approaching the scene and attempting to break up the fight the Defendant elbowed the officer in the throat causing significant pain. On cross-examination of the Commonwealth witnesses and through direct examination of our witnesses we proved that the officer's version of events was inconsistent and not credible. Case dismissed

  • Case Dismissed - Time Served Assault of an Officer
    • Violent Crimes

    Our client was charged with two counts of an assault of an officer (felony), breaking and entering with the intent to commit an assault (felony), resisting arrest, possession of a concealed weapon, and assault and battery. On cross-examination we were able to establish that the Defendant's intent was not to harm the officers and that any contact that occurred between the officers and the Defendant was merely incidental to the resisting arrest charge – both counts dismissed. On the breaking and entering charge we were able to successfully argue that the Commonwealth had failed to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the intent to harm existed at the time that the Defendant entered the home – charge reduced to misdemeanor trespass. On the concealed weapons charge no weapon was entered into evidence. We successfully argued that in the absence of actual evidence there is a presumption that the evidence if it had been presented would have been favorable to the Defendant – ie that the knife described did not fit the statutory requirement – charge dismissed. Our client was facing a total of 23 years in the Virginia State Penitentiary ended up serving three months of active incarceration on weekends.

  • Case Dismissed Concealed Weapon
    • Violent Crimes

    Our client was charged with carrying a concealed weapon a class one misdemeanor carrying the possibility of 12 months in jail and a $2500 fine. Based upon conversations with the commonwealth attorney we were able to successfully negotiate a plea deal where the Court took the matter under advisement and dismissed the charges after twelve months based upon the client's good behavior and completion of 50 hours of community service.

  • Case Dismissed Disorderly Conduct

    Our client was charged with disorderly conduct for having a verbal altercation with an officer acting as security guard. We successfully argued that the actions of our client did not constitute a threat to the officer and that the language used by our client was constitutionally protected. Case dismissed.

  • Protective Order
    • Domestic Violence

    Our client was seeking a protective order against her husband to obtain exclusive use and possession of the home and to require him to have no future hostile contact with her. The Court required that she was the recent victim of family abuse and that she was reasonable to be in fear. Although there had been no recent physical abuse, we were able to tie in old domestic violence convictions and successfully argue that the respondent had a pattern of behavior. One- year protective order granted.

  • Pre Litigation Defense – Rape
    • Sex Crimes

    Our client was the respondent of a protective order wherein the petitioner alleged that she was raped. She sought a two- year protective order and was seeking to have detectives assist in securing warrants against him. We suspect that the admissions made on cross examination by the alleged victim at the hearing will prevent the Commonwealth from bringing any charges.

  • Driving Under the Influence 4th Offense– Bond Hearing
    • DUI

    Our client was charged fourth offense driving under the influence. Based upon his age and pre-existing health conditions we were able to show that the jail was unsafe place. Our client was released on house arrest conditioned upon his wearing SCRAM bracelet which tracks his location and ensures that he does not consume alcohol.

  • Violation of Protective Order – Appeal
    • Domestic Violence

    Our client was under a protective order to have no hostile contact with his family. The Commonwealth alleged that based upon several text exchanges that he had threatened his teenage children. Without the assistance of counsel, he received 90 days of active incarceration in lower Court. On appeal we were able to reduce his confinement to 24 hours – time served.

  • Breaking and Entering with Intent to Commit Misdemeanor
    • Felony Defense

    Our client was charged with breaking and entering with intent to commit a misdemeanor, but the Commonwealth agreed to dismiss the charge at the preliminary hearing stage against our client who suffered severe and debilitating mental illness. Had the matter gone to trial, we would have sought a finding of not guilty by reason of insanity.

  • Third Offense Petty Larceny
    • Felony Defense

    Our client was charged with felony third offense petty larceny, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in the Virginia State Penitentiary. We were successful in negotiating a reduction to a misdemeanor petty larceny charge with no active jail time.

  • Possession of Marijuana- Appeal
    • Drug Crimes

    Our client plead not guilty to a second offense possession of marijuana charge. The evidence at trial was that the officer smelled a strong odor of marijuana in the vehicle which was solely occupied by our client. Several marijuana crumbs were found on the driver seat where the Defendant was sitting and approximately a half ounce of marijuana was found in the trunk. We successfully argued that the Commonwealth had failed to prove construction possession. Case dismissed.

  • Driving Under the Influence
    • DUI

    Our client was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol after officers arrived on a call for service in a church parking lot. Eyewitnesses were able to testify as to the time of operation and identify the driver. Officers were able to testify that they smelled a strong odor of alcoholic beverage coming from our client, that he was unsteady on his feet and that he had not done well on his field sobriety tests.  Video evidence secured from the church and body cam footage did not support the proffered testimony. The client plead to a lesser included reckless driving charge with no jail time.

  • Domestic Violence
    • Domestic Violence

    Our client was alleged to have assaulted the girlfriend of her child’s father during an exchange of the child at a police precinct. Phone video evidence and inconsistencies in the Prosecutor’s witness testimony led to a dismissal of the charge.

  • Domestic Violence
    • Domestic Violence

    Our client was charged with domestic violence by her ex-girlfriend. We made offers to the opposing party to dismiss the cross warrants which were summarily rejected. The Court found that based upon cross examination and argument of counsel that the other party had motive to fabricate and that her statements did not line up. Clients charge of domestic violence dismissed.

  • Defective Equipment and Driving on Revoked License
    • Traffic Violations

    Our client was stopped for a defective taillight. The officer noted that the client’s privilege to operate a motor vehicle had been suspended based upon a prior DUI with no restrictions. The officer agreed to dismiss both charges based upon our client’s ability to have obtained his drivers license and fix the broken taillight.

  • Brandishing Firearm and Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon
    • Violent Crimes

    Our client, a passenger in a vehicle was stopped incident to an alleged brandishing event. The vehicle pulled into a parking lot and all the occupants fled on foot. Multiple firearms were found on the floorboard and on the seats of the vehicle. Our client was later identified and turned himself in. The charge was dismissed on motion of the Commonwealth based upon their inability to prove constructive possession.

  • Assault and Battery
    • Violent Crimes

    Our client was alleged to have been involved in a fight in a shopping center parking lot. Each party took out charges against each other. As is often the case, the opposing party had three eye- witnesses and my client had none. Based upon inconsistencies in testimony and the direct evidence presented by my client the Court dismissed our client’s charge and found the opposing party guilty.

  • Protective Order
    • Family Law

    Our client's estranged wife had filed a protective order to prohibit him from having contact with her to gain exclusive use and possession of the home and an upper hand in their divorce proceedings. We were successful in showing that she had motive to fabricate and that she had consulted with an attorney regarding getting our client out of her house days before filing the request for a protective order.

  • False Report to Law Enforcement
    • Domestic Violence

    Our client was charged with filing a false police report. The police alleged that our client had unnecessarily called 911. His complaint was that there were individuals in his home threatening him harm that were refusing to leave. Upon arrival the police came into contact with our client’s room mates who were loud and under the influence of alcohol. They denied any threats and the police issued our client a summons for making a false report. The charge was dismissed based upon the officer’s inability to testify as to the roommate’s statements.

  • Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor
    • Drug Crimes

    Our client was charged with contributing to the delinquency of a minor when the vehicle that he and three juveniles were occupying was stopped. A search uncovered alcohol and marijuana. Our client, who was over the age of 18 years of age was issued a summons. The charge was dismissed as the Officers were unable to testify that our client had procured either the alcohol or marijuana. Moreover, an adults mere presence does not put him in a supervisory role.

  • Driving Under the Influence
    • DUI

    Our client was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol. Police stopped his vehicle based upon a call from a concerned citizen about a vehicle that kept driving down the same street repeatedly for over an hour. When police arrived on the scene the concerned citizens pointed out the vehicle and the officer again witnessed the vehicle driving back and forth down the same street. The charge was dismissed on a motion to strike. Even though the behavior was odd it did not amount to criminal activity.

  • Felony Embezzlement
    • Theft Crimes

    Our client was charged with stealing over $3000 from her previous employer. Embezzlement is a class four felony and carries the potential of 20 years in the Virginia State Penitentiary. Based upon early remedial actions and our client’s ability to pay restitution we were able to negotiate a misdemeanor disposition with no active jail time.

  • Possession With Intent to Distribute Schedule
    • Drug Crimes

    Our client was charged with distribution of heroin, a charge that carries the possibility of 40 years in the Virginia State Penitentiary. Based upon a totality of circumstances including to the search, the amount found, our client’s level of cooperation, and his lack of criminal history we were able to secure a simple possession charge with no active jail time.

  • Possession with Intent to Distribute
    • Drug Crimes

    Our client was charge with distribution of cocaine a charge that carries the possibility of 40 years in the Virginia State penitentiary. Based upon a lack of evidence tying our client to the charges and the faulty basis of the stop the Commonwealth moved to dismiss the case prior to trial.

  • Reckless Driving
    • Traffic Violations

    Our client was charged with reckless driving after he was alleged to have run off the road and taken down several trees. We appeared in our client’s absence and, based upon cross-examination of the officer and argument, the charge of reckless driving was dismissed.

  • Driving Under the Influence 3rd Offense
    • DUI

    Our client plead not guilty to a felony count of driving under the influence third offense. Based upon a totality of the circumstances, the failure to prove circumstantially that our client was impaired by the use of alcohol as alleged the charge was reduced to reckless driving with a $250 fine.

  • Domestic Violence and Strangulation
    • Domestic Violence

    Our client entered a plea of not guilty to the charge of domestic violence and proceeded to the preliminary hearing on the charge of strangulation. It was determined that the alleged victim in the matter was going to recant. The Victim retained a victim’s rights attorney who plead the 5th amendment on her behalf. Without direct evidence there was no case. Charges dismissed on Court’s motion.

  • Domestic Violence
    • Domestic Violence

    Our client was charged with domestic violence for allegedly striking his ex-wife’s back with a cooler top. On cross-examination, the alleged victim stated that she was fearful of our client and had not been in contact with him since the event. Photographs of the two together and a dinner receipt proved that she was not being honest. Charge dismissed.

  • False Information on Petition for Firearm
    • Domestic Violence

    Our client was charged with having lied on a petition to purchase a firearm when he marked that he had no prior domestic violence charges. We obtained certified copies of the old out of state conviction for what was purported to be domestic violence. We were able to prove that the statute our client was convicted under was not substantially similar to that of Virginia’s domestic violence statute and that there may have been some confusion when our client petitioned. Charge dismissed on motion of the Commonwealth.

  • Possession of Heroin
    • Traffic Violations

    Our client was charged with possession of heroin when an officer searched his vehicle for a traffic violation. We were able to convince the commonwealth attorney’s office to dismiss the charge based upon insufficient evidence to show that our client knew that the substance was present in the vehicle.

  • Level 3 CPS Appeal
    • Family Law

    Our client’s level three CPS finding was appealed. We called our client as a witness and based upon cross-examination of the CPS employee were able to show multiple inconsistent statements provided by the witness and the stepson. The finding was dismissed.

  • Breaking and Entering and Grand Larceny
    • Theft Crimes

    Our client was charged with several counts of breaking and entering and grand larceny into multiple businesses in the city of Virginia Beach. After watching several of the Commonwealth videos we were able to determine that identification would be an issue. This in addition to our sharing of our client’s alibi early on led to a dismissal on the Commonwealth’s motion.

  • Aiding Prostitution and Maintaining a Bawdy House
    • Sex Crimes

    Our client was arrested during a sting operation of a massage parlor. The evidence produced by the commonwealth showed the defendant frequenting this location and bringing out the trash on multiple occasions. A FOIA request to state Corporation commission showed the names of the owners and transfers of ownership over several years. We also were able to prove that our client had no known association with the owners or any ownership interest but was merely a friend of the person managing the storefront. Charges dismissed on the Commonwealth’s motion.

  • Malicious Wounding and Disorderly Conduct
    • Domestic Violence

    Our client was charged with Malicious Wounding, which at the time carried up to 20 years in prison, and disorderly conduct for an allegation of an assault with serious injuries that occurred between himself and his child’s mother. Although the injuries were substantial, we were able to show that there was a potential defense for mutual combat as our client and one other witness would testify that the alleged victim attacked our client first. The charge of malicious wounding was reduced to simple assault with five days in jail and disorderly conduct was dismissed.

  • Involuntary Manslaughter, Hit and Run, Reckless Driving, and Driving on Suspended License Third Offense
    • Felony Defense

    Our client was charged with Involuntary Manslaughter (felony), Hit and Run (felony) reckless driving, and driving on suspended third after having struck and killed a pedestrian on a wet and rainy night in the city of Norfolk. The Defendant got nervous and fled the scene. We were able to prove that the Commonwealth could not pin the death on our client since the decedent was not in a cross walk and that our client’s inability to stop was likely not a cause of death, since the victim’s passing was almost immediate. Our client plead to hit and run and driving on suspended third offense. He was facing 17 years but received 4 months and 10 days to serve.

  • Domestic Violence
    • Domestic Violence

    Our client was charged with assaulting his husband. After entering a plea of not guilty we were able to show that it was the alleged victim who threw the first punch. The case was dismissed under the theory of mutual combat and self-defense.

  • Possession with Intent to Distribute
    • Drug Crimes

    Our client was charged with two counts of possession with intent to distribute LSD after making controlled sales to two undercover detectives. After meeting with police and the commonwealth’s attorney’s office and showing them the “other side” of our client we were able to negotiate a deferred finding on simple possession of LSD wherein the charges were dismissed after three years of uniform good behavior, attendance, and completion of drug rehab and the performance of a 100 hours of community service.

  • Felony Child Neglect
    • Felony Defense

    Our client was charged with felony child neglect when his three- year old daughter appeared at CHKD with unexplained injuries to the side of her face. The Commonwealth’s expert witness, a doctor of forensics opined that the injuries could not have occurred in any way other than by blunt force trauma at the hands of another individual. Based upon cross-examination and direct testimony as offered by our client we were able to debunk this theory. The Court dismissed the charge.

  • Felony Bad Check
    • Felony Defense

    Our client was an employee of a company who drafted a check for the purchase of materials. The check in an amount well over $10,000 bounced and the commonwealth brought charges against our client since he was the individual in charge of the project and the individual who signed and delivered the check. A FOIA request issued to the State Corporation commission showed that our client had no financial interest in the company. Moreover, we were able to show the commonwealth proof that our client did not have the ability to view the checking account balances or look at the transactional history. Charge was dismissed on motion of the Commonwealth.

  • Attempted Possession of a Firearm and False Information on Consent Form
    • Felony Defense

    Our client had been convicted as a juvenile felony offender and, based upon the law, was unable to purchase or possess a firearm until he had exceeded the age of 27. Based upon his age at the time of the offense and lack of any other criminal conduct we were able to convince the Commonwealth that his failure to mark the prior felony was a misunderstanding. The Commonwealth offered at the Court a plea to misdemeanor false report to a police officer no active jail time.

  • Breaking and Entering and Assault and Battery
    • Domestic Violence

    Our client was charged with breaking and entering into the home of her ex-boyfriend and assaulting him. Based upon a thorough investigation into the facts and eye- witness accounts we were able to convince that our client was not the primary aggressor and that she never broke and entered into the home. Charges were dismissed at the request of the Commonwealth.

  • ASAP Violation
    • DUI

    Our client was charged with violating the terms of ASAP by failing to complete all the required classes. Our client had moved out of state and had completed some classes but not at the direction of her ASAP advisor. The court found that based upon evidence provided and argument presented that our client had substantially complied and the charge was dismissed.