Case Results

Law Office of Paul C. Galanides, P.C.

Attorney Paul C. Galanides has handled nearly every type of criminal case, big and small. From complex felony cases to appeals matters, he has the experience, dedication, and confidence to seek a resolution that protects his clients’ rights and best interests. While no lawyer can guarantee a specific outcome, the Law Office of Paul C. Galanides, P.C. offers a sample of the firm’s past victories as a testament to the hard work Mr. Galanides puts into every case he takes on.

    • Assault & Battery (August 2022) Dismissed

      Charge dismissed in Richmond J&D Court

    • Assault & Battery (June 2023) - Chesterfield J&D Court

      Family member charge nolle prosequi in Chesterfield J&D Court

    • Assault & Battery (May 2023) Charges Dropped

      Assault on Family Member and Malicious Wounding charges in Accomack Circuit Court.

    • Assault and Battery, Goochland County (November 2019) Dismissed

      Client became engaged in a fistfight at his apartment complex after drinking. A conviction for assault and battery charge was likely to cost him his job. We worked with client to provide the Commonwealth reasons to not seek a conviction. Despite several aggravating factors in the case, our arguments to the prosecutor were persuasive. Commonwealth has agreed to allow our client to continue down the path we laid out for him, and that it will lead to a dismissal of the charge against him.

    • Child Sexual Abuse, Stafford County (March 2019) Charges Dropped

      Our client opened his home to someone in need and was later detained on a complaint that he had sexually abused her child. We began a background search and set a private investigator on the woman's trail, while the police searched unsuccessfully for corroborating evidence. We appeared for preliminary hearing twice, prepared to challenge the competency of the child witness, oppose the admission of her recorded statements, and demonstrate the weakness of her identification testimony. We advised the prosecutor that our evidence would demonstrate the client's innocence and rejected the prosecutor's repeated attempts to plea bargain. When the prosecutor saw that our case was likely stronger than his, he dropped both charges before any hearing was held.

    • Concealed Weapon, Chesterfield (July 2022) Dismissed

      Carry Charge Dismissed

    • Conspiracy to Commit Murder in First Degree, Greene County (November 2019) Dismissed

      Client was charged with Conspiracy to Commit Murder in First Degree after police spent months of investigating the first local homicide in nearly a decade. We conducted two bond hearings to attempt to secure client's release and to learn about the evidence against him. Once we determined that the Commonwealth's case was entirely circumstantial and that there was no direct evidence implicating the client, we prepared for a preliminary hearing in the District Court. Following a two-hour, contested hearing the General District Court dismissed the charge for lack of evidence.

    • Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute and Distribute Marijuana, Richmond Federal (November 2018) Charges Reduced

      Client and roommates had engaged friends in Oregon to send several pounds of marijuana through the mail, which client sold locally. Authorities learned of the deliveries and raided the house, seizing drugs, guns, and money. Client was charged with four federal felonies. We first obtained client's release, then engaged in very fact-specific negotiations with federal prosecutors. Ultimately, client pleaded to one felony, and received a 30-day jail sentence.

    • Conspiracy, Distribution, & Eluding/Disregard for Police (November 2022) Dismissed

      Charge Dismissed in Colonial Heights General District Court

    • Credit Card Theft and Fraud, Caroline County (November 2018) Charges Dropped

      Our client was charged with two felonies, fraud and theft, arising from a disputed credit card transaction. The allegations were unusual and the first attorney my client consulted recommended that she not contest the charges preliminary hearing and simply wait until she faced trial in Circuit Court. Instead, I thoroughly investigated her case, and we came to the preliminary hearing prepared to offer witness testimony regarding the client’s products and professionalism, demonstrative evidence of the credit card transaction, and documentary proof that my client had committed no crime. After warning the Commonwealth’s Attorney of the strength of our case, he agreed to drop both charges before we even had the hearing.

    • Criminal Charge (June 2023)

      Client with a Dog at Large While Attacking charge, received a not guilty verdict in Hampton, VA 2023

    • Dangerous Dog Appeal, Hanover County (February 2019) Charges Dropped

      Our client came to us after the General District Court decided that her dog had bitten a neighbor. Client's family was devastated and hired us to appeal to the Circuit Court. We worked with the family and identified several compelling witnesses who testified that the dog was very loving. We secured two expert witnesses who evaluated the dog favorably. And, we presented evidence that raised enough of a reasonable doubt that the judge found the dog was not dangerous, and returned her to her family. An Animal Control Officer told me it was the first time in his entire career that he'd seen a pet owner win a dangerous dog appeal in Circuit Court.

    • Domestic Battery (October 2022) Dismissed

      Charge dismissed in Henrico J&D Court

    • DUI, Henrico (November 2018) Charges Reduced

      My client was responsible for causing a car accident in which one of the vehicles overturned. Both drivers went to the hospital, where my client, unfortunately, consented to a blood draw for the State Trooper (not recommended). While this was a first offense DUI, causing a serious accident will usually motivate a Judge to impose jailtime, and my client’s Blood Alcohol level was high enough that he would have faced a mandatory five days in jail on top of whatever the judge gave him (a first offense DUI carries up to 12 months in jail, and can be charged as a Felony if a severe injury occurs). Years of experience allowed me to “strongly suggest” that our client complete various tasks which would be favorable to the Commonwealth Attorney and Judge. Ultimately, he was convicted of a simple first offense DUI, with no jailtime.

    • DUI, Henrico (November 2018) Charges Reduced

      My client was involved in a head-on collision, in which the other driver was at fault. My client, however, had a BAC (Blood, Alcohol Content) greater than .20%. He was charged with an enhanced DUI and faced a mandatory 10 days in jail. He also had 3 prior DUIs from several years ago. He was convicted of simple DUI, 1st offense, with no jailtime.

    • DUI, Henrico County (November 2019) Charges Reduced

      Client was driver charged for DUI after being pulled for weaving and blowing a .12. We spoke with the trooper before court and engaged in vigorous negotiations with the Commonwealth. Commonwealth has agreed to a course of rehabilitation and a return to court date. If client is compliant with rehabilitation, Commonwealth has agreed to reduce to reckless driving.

    • Expungement, Richmond Circuit Court (May 2019) Record Expunged

      I was hired by a former client to expunge his record of certain charges. Joe Morrissey and I had represented the client a year ago, in a jury trial, on a serious felony allegation and misdemeanor charges that would have destroyed his life. We completely prevailed over the prosecution at trial and all charges were now dismissed or dropped. But, because my client had some existing prior record, the Commonwealth’s Attorney opposed expunging his record. We assembled evidence and witnesses in order to present a compelling case in our hearing to expunge and the Circuit Court agreed with our arguments. The client’s record was expunged.

    • False Info to Crime Investigator, Chesterfield County (May 2022) Dismissed
    • Felon in Possession - Malicious Wounding, Danville (May 2022) Dismissed
    • Felony | Unauthorized Use of a Vehicle (December 2023) Not Guilty/Acquitted

      Unauthorized Use of a Vehicle charges in Colonial Heights Circuit Court.

    • Felony DUI, Henrico County (April 2018) Dismissed

      Client charged with Felony Third Offense DUI in Henrico county after a serious wreck. The client left the roadway, struck a house, and had to be resuscitated at the scene. The Commonwealth brought a direct indictment and extradited the client from out-of-state. At trial the defense persistently challenged the prosecution's use of the client's hospital records and the testimony of the toxicologist from the Department of Forensic Science. We vigorously maintained our objections in a well-researched brief and in a post-trial hearing on the issue that ultimately proved persuasive to the judge. Following argument on the issue, the judge dismissed the indictment.

    • Felony Unauthorized Use Of An Automobile, Petersburg J&D Court (May 2019) Charges Dropped

      Client hired me following the abrupt break-up of a long-term relationship. Communication had broken down between the parties and the automobile that had come into their possession while together, was now an issue between them. My client was charged with felony unauthorized use of the automobile. Once hired, we worked with the client to develop a legal defense to the charge. In the meantime, I opened negotiations with the Commonwealth because we did not want to have to wait to go to court to prove our defense. I began sharing selective parts of our defense with the prosecutor. Of course, the key to the case was the lack of communication between the estranged couple. By finding out what the complainant needed in order to move on, we were able to obtain the complainant’s agreement to the prosecutor’s dropping the charges. Once we shared this with the prosecutor, and she understood the complainant was content, the charge was dropped.

    • Forcible Sodomy, Chesterfield (November 2018) Dismissed

      Our client, an adult, was charged with Forcible Sodomy for an event which occurred when he was a Juvenile. Because of statements the client made to police during their investigation, pleading not guilty was not a reasonable option. Instead, we aggressively negotiated for his case to remain in Juvenile Court, so that he would not be tried as an adult. Once we accomplished that goal, we steered our client into appropriate counseling and down several paths of community-oriented behavior which gave us the strongest possible hand when we argued in court how the Juvenile Court judge should handle the case. Ultimately, the client’s charge was entirely dismissed.

    • Hit and Run x 3, Richmond City (October 2018) Dismissed

      Client, about to embark on career after significant educational investment, struck three parked cars in the fan late one night, and left the scene without speaking to police. Officers aggressively pursued hit and run charges because of concerns client had been drinking. We worked with client to take several steps to make the victims whole and demonstrate client was not a safety risk. We were able to persuade the prosecutor of the value of allowing client to pursue client's chosen career, and charges were dismissed.

    • Malicious Wounding Charge (May 2022) Dismissed

      Dismissed earlier this month in Chesterfield J&D court.

    • Multiple Charges including Murder & Assault, Orange Circuit Court (January 2023) All Charges Nolle Prosequi

      Murder: 2nd Degree, Assault: Malicious Wounding- Victim Injured, Felon in Possession (Ammo), Use of Firearm in Felony 1st Offense.

    • Possess Gun by Involuntary Committed, Henrico (December 2018) Charges Dropped

      Client, a Navy veteran with a distinguished career, suffered a brief mental infirmity in the past that caused him to be charged when he attempted to buy a firearm at a local store. We worked with client to provide the information to the prosecution which we knew would address their concerns. After significant negotiations, the criminal charge was dropped.

    • Possession of Controlled Substance, Goochland (September 2018) Dismissed

      Client's estranged spouse alerted police to a baggie with suspected cocaine residue she "discovered" in client's belongings. Client was not present and wisely made no statements to police. The Commonwealth obtained a grand jury indictment, rather than certifying the case through the General District Court, and insisted the client should plead to the felony. Instead, we prepared a vigorous defense and engaged the Commonwealth in what became a chess match of scheduling, in which the Commonwealth erred. Case dismissed following expiration of speedy trial rule.

    • REC STLN/AID IN CONCEAL FIRARM (Class 6 Felony) and FAIL STOP/YIELD ENTERING HWY (February 2024) Nolle Prosequi

      REC STLN/AID IN CONCEAL FIRARM (Class 6 Felony) and FAIL STOP/YIELD ENTERING HWY- Case in Richmond City General District Court

    • Sexual Abuse of a Child, Stafford County (March 2019) Charges Dropped

      Our client opened his home to someone in need and was later detained on a complaint that he had sexually abused her child. We began a background search and set a private investigator on the woman's trail, while the police searched unsuccessfully for corroborating evidence. We appeared for preliminary hearing twice, prepared to challenge the competency of the child witness, oppose the admission of her recorded statements, and demonstrate the weakness of her identification testimony. We advised the prosecutor that our evidence would demonstrate the client's innocence and rejected the prosecutor's repeated attempts to plea bargain. When the prosecutor saw that our case was likely stronger than his, he dropped both charges before any hearing was held.

    • Solicitation of Prostitution (December 2022) Dismissed

      Henrico General District Court

    • Two Counts of PROPSE SEX COMP <15Y OFFNDR 7+ (February 2024) Not Guilty by Jury Trial

      Henrico General District Court

    • Two Felony Charges, Henrico County (November 2019) Dismissed

      Client was arrested on two felony charges in August. Instead of producing their evidence at a preliminary hearing as scheduled, the Commonwealth proceeded straight to the grand jury and brought two indictments for trial in circuit court charging client with the same offenses for which he had never had a preliminary hearing after his arrest. We moved in circuit court for a dismissal of the two indictments. Following a contested hearing, the circuit court agreed that the Commonwealth had violated Virginia's criminal procedure laws and dismissed the two indictments against the client.