Posted on March 11, 2025 in Criminal Defense

Filing taxes is never fun, but nothing is more nerve-wracking than receiving an audit notice from the IRS. While most people will never face an audit, certain tax return mistakes can raise red flags and increase the likelihood of IRS scrutiny about tax evasion. Even an honest mistake could lead to a time-consuming and stressful process. Knowing what triggers an audit and how to avoid common tax mistakes can help keep you out of trouble. If you are audited, a Virginia criminal defense attorney can help protect your rights and advocate on your behalf.

What Are the Most Common IRS Audit Triggers?

The IRS selects tax returns for auditing based on various risk factors, patterns of noncompliance, and random sampling. Some of the most common triggers include unreported income, excessive deductions, and repeated business losses. The IRS will cross-reference tax return information with W-2s, 1099s, and other financial records. If the numbers do not match, the agency may further investigate the situation.

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 Posted on February 26, 2025 in Criminal Defense

If signed by the Governor, a new Virginia law could mean more arrests and stiffer penalties for exhibition driving. Penalties for drivers convicted under the proposed law could include vehicle impoundment, jail time, the suspension of a driver’s license, and fines. Along with drivers, some passengers could also face fines. Although many reckless driving arrests are for misdemeanor offenses, some carry felony charges.

If you have been charged with reckless or exhibition driving, you need an experienced Fairfax, VA criminal defense lawyer to defend your rights and work toward a successful resolution to your case.

What Is Considered Exhibition Driving?

Virginia law currently forbids drivers from reckless driving, and it specifically refers to a speed and manner that endangers others. If enacted, the new law would expand reckless driving definitions to include exhibition driving. Some examples are:

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 Posted on February 13, 2025 in Personal Injury

On January 29th, a tragic hit-and-run pedestrian accident in Fairfax County killed a mother and injured her young son. The duo was struck by an SUV, whose driver left the accident scene. Later, the driver abandoned the SUV.

Pedestrian accidents typically cause extremely severe or fatal injuries. However, Virginia’s negligence law holds that injured victims cannot recover compensation if they are even partially to blame for causing their accidents. Hit-and-run accident claims can be challenging, especially when the victims are pedestrians. A knowledgeable Fairfax, VA personal injury attorney can evaluate your case and help you explore your legal options.

What Is Pure Contributory Negligence?

All states have laws that determine whether injured victims can pursue a compensation claim. Virginia is one of only a few states using pure contributory negligence. If you share any responsibility for causing the accident that injured you, you cannot seek damages from other at-fault parties. Do not assume you are partially to blame; instead, contact us so we can evaluate your case free of charge.

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 Posted on January 27, 2025 in Personal Injury

Medical malpractice is one of the leading causes of wrongful death in the United States. The worst part about medical malpractice cases is losing your loved one – but a close second is the fact that these tragedies are almost always preventable. 

If a family member passed away due to what you suspect was medical malpractice, you may be able to seek justice through a wrongful death lawsuit with the help of a Virginia personal injury lawyer. 

Misdiagnosis or Delayed Diagnosis

When a doctor fails to diagnose a condition or delays a diagnosis, the consequences can be deadly. For example, misdiagnosing cancer as a less serious illness can prevent a patient from receiving life-saving treatment in time. Similarly, failing to diagnose a heart attack or stroke can leave a patient without the urgent care they need.

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 Posted on January 13, 2025 in Criminal Defense

Most people have no idea that such a thing as a federal DUI charge exists until they find themselves on the receiving end of one. While most DUI cases are prosecuted under state law, there are indeed DUI charges under federal law. These cases generally involve driving under the influence on federal property or in circumstances where federal jurisdiction applies.

Because most DUI charges happen at the state level, it is very important to have a Virginia DUI defense attorney with experience handling federal DUI charges.  

When Can You Get a Federal DUI Charge?

Federal DUI charges can only be brought in certain circumstances.

Driving on Federal Property

Federal property includes areas such as:

• National parks and forests

• Military bases

• Federal government buildings or facilities

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 Posted on December 20, 2024 in Personal Injury

Speeding is believed to have contributed to two recent fatal accidents in Fairfax County. Two people died in separate crashes, and another was seriously injured. Drugs or alcohol may have also been a factor in a crash on Dec. 14. Speeding and driving under the influence are illegal and negligent behaviors, and injured victims or their families may be eligible for compensation.

Car accident cases can be complicated, even when speeding is a factor. You need the assistance of a competent Fairfax, VA attorney if you hope to get the full compensation you deserve.

What Is Negligence?

Negligence, which is careless or intentional behavior that can harm others, is the basis for most personal injury cases. Many driver errors are negligent, such as:

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 Posted on October 04, 2024 in Criminal Defense

Most theft offenses related to vehicles involve either young adults stealing vehicles to go on joyrides or older criminals misappropriating a vehicle for personal use or resale. Occasionally, those accused of vehicle-related thefts do not steal a vehicle but rather a vehicle component.

Certain parts of vehicles can be highly valuable. Decades ago, criminals smashed through car windows to steal CD players and other stereo system components. Tires and rims have also been popular targets for opportunistic thieves. People might return to a parked car to find it up on cinder blocks with the wheels missing.

In recent years, catalytic converters have become prized vehicle components. A catalytic converter is part of a vehicle’s exhaust system. Drivers generally notice their disappearance immediately because the vehicle runs rough and loud. Catalytic converters affect vehicle performance and fuel mileage as well as regulatory compliance. Individuals accused of possessing, purchasing or selling a stolen catalytic converter could face relatively serious criminal charges in Virginia.

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 Posted on August 05, 2024 in Criminal Defense

Everyone who is facing criminal charges has the right to an attorney. As part of their constitutional rights, people who can’t afford an attorney can have the courts appoint one for them. Typically, this person is a public defender. Individuals who can afford to pay can hire a private criminal defense attorney.

Public defenders and private defense attorneys are both required to represent the best interests of their clients and work to ensure that they get a fair trial. Despite those similarities, there are some differences to consider when it comes to these two categories of attorneys.

Public defenders

Public defenders are paid for by the government and are assigned by the court to represent people who can’t afford to pay an attorney. These lawyers handle a large volume of cases. Because they work with many clients, they represent defendants with a wide range of criminal charges. They’re often intimately familiar with the courts they work with, so they can draw from that knowledge as they guide their clients on defense strategies.

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 Posted on June 07, 2024 in Criminal Defense

Police officers are in a position to help stand up for people’s rights or to violate them, depending on the circumstances. Although people generally expect that police officers should follow the law and treat them with dignity, sometimes police officers abuse their position of authority and mistreat members of the public.

Defendants facing criminal charges sometimes raise claims about police misconduct in response to their pending criminal charges. For example, proving that an officer conducted an illegal search could lead to the courts setting aside certain evidence. Claims about police officer misconduct can be difficult to prove, as an officer might deny their actions. Video footage could potentially help prove a defendant’s version of events.

Do police officers working in Fairfax, Virginia generally need to have body cameras recording their interactions with the public?

Fairfax has rules about police cameras

Concerns about police officers abusing their authority and mistreating certain members of the public are nothing new. They have simply become more widespread thanks to the sharing of video footage and disturbing stories on the internet.

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 Posted on April 10, 2024 in Criminal Defense

Drones are unmanned aircraft that can be used to take beautiful pictures and monitor areas that would be difficult to watch otherwise. For those who are in Virginia – which is so close to the nation’s capital that it tends to employ stricter-than-average security measures under many circumstances – understanding the laws surrounding may be wise.

The legality of flying a drone over someone else’s property in Virginia depends on specific circumstances outlined in state law. Virginia statutes set clear boundaries that address the operation of drones based on privacy, safety and property rights.

Drone flights are limited in Virginia

Under Virginia law, intentionally operating a drone in ways that infringe on another person’s property and privacy is a Class 1 misdemeanor. This includes flying a drone within 50 feet of a dwelling without consent. This is especially true if the flight intends to coerce, intimidate or harass another person.

The law also prohibits drone operations that involve:

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