Torture/Maim (June 2024)
Charge Nolle Prosequi
Torture/Maim Dog or Cat Charge Nolle Prosequi in Stafford General District Court
Assault & Battery (May 2024)
Not Guilty
Charge of Assault & Battery won with a not guilty verdict in Henrico General District Court
Contributing to Delinquency of a Minor
2 charges of Contributing to Delinquency of a Minor nolle prosequi in Henrico J&D Court
Animal Seizure Hearing (March 2024)
All Charges Nolle Prosequi
Animal Seizure Hearing won in Hanover Circuit Court followed by all criminal charges being nolle prosequi.
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
Two Counts of PROPSE SEX COMP <15Y OFFNDR 7+ (February 2024)
Not Guilty by Jury Trial
Henrico General District Court
Felony | Unauthorized Use of a Vehicle (December 2023)
Not Guilty/Acquitted
Unauthorized Use of a Vehicle charges in Colonial Heights Circuit Court.
Assault & Battery (June 2023) - Chesterfield J&D Court
Family member charge nolle prosequi in Chesterfield J&D Court
Criminal Charge (June 2023)
Client with a Dog at Large While Attacking charge, received a not guilty verdict in Hampton, VA 2023
Case Date: 06-23-2023
Assault & Battery (May 2023)
Charges Dropped
Assault on Family Member and Malicious Wounding charges in Accomack Circuit 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.
Solicitation of Prostitution (December 2022)
Dismissed
Henrico General District Court
Conspiracy, Distribution, & Eluding/Disregard for Police (November 2022)
Dismissed
Charge Dismissed in Colonial Heights General District Court
Domestic Battery (October 2022)
Dismissed
Charge dismissed in Henrico J&D Court
Assault & Battery (August 2022)
Dismissed
Charge dismissed in Richmond J&D Court
Concealed Weapon, Chesterfield (July 2022)
Dismissed
Carry Charge Dismissed
Malicious Wounding Charge (May 2022)
Dismissed
Dismissed earlier this month in Chesterfield J&D court.
False Info to Crime Investigator, Chesterfield County (May 2022)
Dismissed
Felon in Possession - Malicious Wounding, Danville (May 2022)
Dismissed
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.