Drunk driving is illegal in every US state, but a DUI case in Virginia could be more serious depending on the age of the motorist. It is unlawful for anyone under 21 years old to consume alcohol, so there are different laws that apply for underage DUI. However, if you were under age 18 when…

For individuals under 18 years old and their parents, having a criminal case go through Virginia’s juvenile court system may seem like a blessing – especially if you’re facing collateral consequences. Instead of the severe punishment a minor could face for a conviction in adult court, he or she will be adjudicated as delinquent. The…

If your child was arrested for an alleged sex crime, you’ll immediately be hit with a wide range of concerns. One of the first is whether the case will proceed through Virginia’s juvenile court system, or if your child will be prosecuted as an adult. You may also wonder about the implications for your child’s…

When a person is convicted of a misdemeanor or felony offense in Virginia, that criminal conviction can have consequences that last well beyond the completion of a sentence. Indeed, having a criminal record can make it difficult or even impossible for a person to be hired for particular jobs, to be able to rent certain…

If you live in Virginia, you’ve probably seen the numerous news stories about Senate Bill No. 16 (SB 16), or the “Assault firearms and certain firearms magazines; prohibiting sale, transport, etc., penalties” bill. Indeed, you may even be someone who is actively advocating for or against the legislation. Whatever your familiarity with the legislation, SB…

Senate Bill No. 16 (SB 16) in Virginia, which has been put forth for the 2020 legislative session, has gained national attention. The bill seeks to amend and expand the definition of an assault weapon, as well as institute an assault weapon ban statewide. These two provisions of the legislation are not just the ones…

If you have a child who has been convicted of a crime, or even if your minor child was arrested for an offense and charged but never convicted, it is important to learn more about the expungement process for juvenile crimes. According to the American Bar Association (ABA), expungement is the process through which court…

If your minor child is arrested for a criminal offense, it is extremely important to begin working with a Fairfax juvenile criminal defense attorney as soon as possible. For many juvenile offenders, it is possible to go through a diversion program that ultimately can prevent the minor from having a criminal record and serving time…

The saying goes that the only constant in life is change, and it’s certainly true in the area of juvenile offenses. According to the Juvenile Justice Geography, Policy, Practice and Statistics, Virginia’s numbers have gotten comparatively worse than the US as a whole in several key areas, including total detained individuals and individuals in residential…

Felony sex offenses are very serious criminal charges. In Virginia, minors can be charged with felony sex crimes. A conviction — referred to adjudication as a delinquent — on a felony sex offense could put a minor on a path to being incarcerated in the state’s juvenile justice system and, eventually, in an adult correctional…