Criminal & Constitutional Law
What to do if you have been charged with a crime or are being investigated
If you have been charged with a crime or are being investigated you should:
1.) Explain to the officer that you are requesting your attorney before continuing. Do not make any further verbal or written statement.
2.) Contact an experienced criminal defense attorney immediately.
3.) Do not talk about the matter with friends or family at your attorneys request.
4.) Take any notes or pictures, record any conversations, and collect any other documents, evidence or witnesses that prove your innocence and good character.
Common Charges
- DUI 18.2-266
- Possession or Distribution of a Controlled Substance 18.2-250
- Trespassing 18.2-119
- Assault & Battery 18.2-57
- Embezzlement 18.2-111 & Fraud 18.2-178
- Petite 18.2-96 & Grand Larceny 18.2-95
- Hunting & Firearm Violations
- Destruction of Property 18.2-137
- Obstruction of Justice 18.2-460
- Failure to Appear 19.2-128
Criminal Procedure
We will make our first appearance at your bail hearing or advisement hearing. From there we will schedule a date for your trial or preliminary hearing. The matter will then either be resolved, sent up to or appealed up to the Circuit Court for motion hearings, the trial & sentencing.
Constitutional Law & Criminal Defense
Often times the best defense will be based on a small mistake that violates your constitutional rights such as an improper search, seizure, warrant, investigation or even during your hearing.
What to tell your attorney before your bail hearing
1.) Why you are not a flight risk and will attend your hearing, facts such as a job, a lease or deed with you name on it, family or otherwise can help show this.
2.) Why you are not a danger to the community. We need to explain to the judge why and under what conditions he can trust you not to harm the community.
What to tell your attorney before your preliminary hearing or trial
Tell your attorney everything that happened that you think might be relevant, tell him who the other parties are, what the officers might know or think, what evidence is out there, what mitigating factors are in your favor and any defenses or constitutional violations you believe may have occurred.
How we can help with your defense
We will work to get your out of jail asap and to prepare a defense strategy that covers all the bases. Procedure, Case Law, Constitutional Law, etc. Mr. Tarris previously worked as an associate public defender and has had charges as serious as Armed Robbery and Breaking and Entering dismissed and will help you minimize the damage so you can get back on track during this tough time. Call 540-319-4111 to get us started on your defense strategy.