Virginia Beach Criminal Defense Services

A:Remember that just because you have been arrested, it does not mean that you are automatically guilty. Once you have been brought to the police station, the bond will be set. This means that you do not have to sit in jail while the process is underway; you are free to go home to wait for your arraignment. The purpose of bail is to ensure that you return to court for the arraignment. If you are unable to post bail, then you will be required to remain in custody until the arraignment. The amount will be determined by the courts and may depend on the type of charges filed.

A:Yes. If you have been arrested and are facing criminal charges, then it is in your best interests to hire a defense lawyer to represent you. Self-representation has a low success rate due to the complexity of Virginia criminal law. At The Law Offices of Daniel J. Miller, we are familiar with the local criminal courts, judges, and prosecutors. We have a strong success record and can help you build a strong defense strategy, no matter what charges you are facing. You should never go through this alone.

A:You should hire a criminal defense attorney as soon as possible after your arrest. It is highly advisable that you do not speak to anyone after you've been arrested until you have the representation of a criminal lawyer. This is to ensure that you don't incriminate yourself by saying something that will damage your defense.

A:The cost of a criminal defense lawyer depends on a number of factors, including their consultation fee (if any), their retainer, their hourly fees, and the length of your criminal case. If you want to know the cost of a specific criminal lawyer, the best step to take is set up an initial consultation. Call (757) 267-4949 to schedule a criminal defense consultation with Attorney Dan Miller and find out how he could help protect your rights and freedom!

A:For the best chance of success in fighting your criminal charges, you will need: 
- A defense attorney you can trust 
- A solid strategy to fight your charges
- Evidence to support your defense

Attorney Dan Miller can fill each of these needs. He is a defense attorney you can trust and he can build a strong defense strategy to get the best possible outcome for your case.

A:The Virginia criminal court process follows these basic steps:
1. Arrest
2. Bond/Bail
3. Arraignment
4. Preliminary Trial
5. Trial

The Law Offices of Daniel J. Miller understands how daunting the criminal process must be, especially when faces with serious charges. We are here to help you understand how the legal system operates and what you should expect. In addition, we can stand by your side during each step to fight for your rights.

A:Once bail has been paid, the courts will schedule an arraignment, where the plea is entered. You may enter a plea of “not guilty” or “guilty,” or another plea such as “no contest.” A lawyer will almost always recommend that you plead “not guilty” to give you the maximum fighting chance at obtaining an outcome in your favor.

A:Whether or not your criminal case goes to trial will depend on whether or not it involves misdemeanor or felony charges. For a misdemeanor case, it is often heard before the judge and will not typically include a juried trial. Felony charges are another story entirely, as the prosecutors will be selecting people to be jurors. From that point, the formal trial will take place. It will involve the presentation of the following: Evidence, Witness testimony, Arguments from prosecution & defense. The prosecution will always have the burden of proving that the evidence supports the charges. Your criminal defense lawyer will have the opportunity to either support or refute those arguments. You may find, however, that prosecutors will have thin or weak arguments, and may not be able to prove “guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.” Whatever the case may be, it is always in your best interests to have an attorney on your side.