Siegel Legal Blog

A Vienna, Virginia man was arrested on June 18 of this year at an Outback Steakhouse restaurant after he was found unconscious on the bathroom floor by another customer. The customer stated that the man had a shoelace wrapped around his arm and that there was a needle lying on the floor right next to him.

After the man regained consciousness, he attempted to flee just as police were arriving.

He was ultimately arrested in front of a Giant Food grocery store; he subsequently told officers that he had been having fainting spells, and that he wished to be transported to the hospital. Once released, he was arrested for heroin and amphetamine methamphetamines, both schedule I and schedule II controlled substances. He was released on signature thereafter.

Hire a good Alexandria attorney if you’ve been charged with drug possession

Drug possession charges are serious matters. If you’re facing charges of drug possession especially for controlled substances like methamphetamine, cocaine, heroine, or ecstasy, all of which are “Schedule 1″ or “Schedule II” drugs, this is especially important. At present, marijuana is also included as a Schedule 1 drug in Virginia, with simple possession a misdemeanor that could result in 30 days in jail, a $500 fine, and the mandatory loss of driver’s license for six months. Drug possession convictions for even “lesser” drugs like marijuana can haunt you and make it difficult to find a job even years after the conviction.

It’s important to hire an experienced Alexandria defense lawyer if you’ve been charged with any sort of drug possession, even with a first offense. If you’re not guilty, your attorney will work to get the charges dismissed altogether. It may be that you were simply with someone who had marijuana on him or her, in a vehicle, etc., and that you had nothing to do with possession at all. It is imperative that you and your attorney work together to make sure those charges are dismissed so that what could be a major impediment will simply be an unpleasant memory that will quickly fade.

If you are guilty, don’t forget that you still have rights. Your Alexandria attorney will represent you fairly and professionally in court so that you are given due process. Your attorney may work out a plea bargain with the prosecuting attorney so that you can avoid a trial and face reduced charges if they must indeed occur.

The Tuomey Law firm is a talented law firm specializing in Alexandria and Arlington, VA criminal defense.

On August 10, 2015, police arrested 25-year-old Richard William Shelton for a robbery at the 7-Eleven on South Carlin Springs. Shelton and two juveniles entered the store at 11:30 PM on the evening of August 10 and stole alcohol. A clerk confronted them and they fled. Shelton, of Arlington, was arrested and charged for the robbery and with six charges of contributing to the delinquency of minors. The juveniles were released to their parents’ custody.

Being charged with robbery is no small matter – even if you’re a juvenile

While the young people above were released to the custody of their parents, robbery is no small charge, even if you are a juvenile. Virginia weighs five elements when it charges someone with the criminal offense of robbery. First is the criminal intent to steal. Second, it must be shown that some type of property was taken during the prime. In the above circumstance, for example, that property was alcohol. Third, the property must be taken from another person, and fourth, it must be taken against the owner’s wishes. Fifth and finally, it must be shown that the property was taken with intimidation, threat of violence, or other threat of serious harm. The sentence for armed robbery depends upon the severity of the crime, whether or not deadly force or bodily harm was threatened or used, and whether or not the person being charged has other crimes on his or her record.

You must hire an experienced Arlington attorney to assist you if you’ve been charged with robbery

Even if this is your first offense – especially if this is your first offense – you must hire an experienced Arlington attorney to assist you if you’ve been charged with robbery. Your attorney can help you:

Deal with law enforcement

It’s very true that you could find yourself being convicted of a crime you didn’t commit – especially if you don’t know what you’re doing when you deal with law enforcement. When you hire an Arlington criminal defense attorney right away, she’ll help you work with law enforcement. Instead of doing interviews with law enforcement alone, for example, your attorney will manage how the interviews are done and will accompany you to them as necessary, so that your rights are protected at all times.

http://www.tuomeylaw.com/main/arlington-criminal-defense.html – Tuomey Law Firm Arlington, TX

Represent you in court expertly and professionally

If your case does go to trial, your attorney will represent you expertly and professionally so that if you are innocent, you have your best chance of acquittal. If guilty, your attorney may work with the prosecutor to provide you with an appropriate and fair plea-bargain.

Should you consult with an Arlington criminal defense attorney regardless of whether you have been arrested for a seemingly minor crime, or something more serious such as robbery or assault?  Absolutely.  Even when an individual is charged with an offense such as DUI or reckless driving, the penalties can be extremely serious, often ruining their reputation and/or career.  Jail or prison time, substantial fines, driver’s license suspension and a criminal records are just a few of the penalties individuals may face as the result of an arrest and conviction.

Naturally, the more serious the crime, the more severe the punishment.  Some offenses result in years or even life in prison, along with tens of thousands of dollars in fines.  An experienced Arlington criminal defense lawyer knows how to protect those accused from serious punishment.  In many cases, a capable attorney can have the charges against his or her client dismissed or reduced.  Ultimately, this means that the person convicted of a crime may spend less time behind bars, or perhaps be placed on probation rather than put in prison.

While it may not seem like it, the law is actually on the side of those accused of a crime.  You are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.  Prosecutors have their work cut out for them, and must prove your guilt through strong evidence, eyewitness testimony or other means.  The job of an Arlington criminal defense attorney is to dispute the evidence, find weaknesses in the prosecutor’s case, and build a strong defense strategy to protect his client’s legal rights.

There are times when it is apparent that having the charge dismissed is not possible. When this is the case, your criminal defense lawyer in Arlington may work out a plea agreement in which you can plead to a lesser charge, thereby reducing the severity of the penalties.  Your attorney will explore all of your legal options in order to reach an outcome that is the best possible in your situation.

Regardless of the seriousness of the situation, your lawyer will work with you to determine the best possible defense strategy.  Arlington criminal defense attorneys know that mistakes are often made by police in investigating crimes, such as improper search, not obtaining a warrant, etc.  Whether you are guilty or innocent of the charge against you, your lawyer will work diligently to protect your freedom and reputation.  Without capable legal counsel, you will likely face the worst possible consequences.

When you have been pulled over and arrested for driving under the influence, it is very important that you contact an experienced Arlington DUI lawyer at once.  Many people think that a DUI is no big deal, but it is!  It is a criminal offense which can affect your life, reputation, and career much more than you might think.

While a first offense certainly isn’t as serious as a second or subsequent offense, you may still face substantial fines, jail time, driver’s license suspension, and possibly an increase in your auto insurance premiums.  A subsequent DUI offense will leave you facing increased fines and jail time, along with other more serious penalties.  Employers today are hesitant to hire someone with a criminal record, which you will have if found guilty.  A skilled Arlington DUI attorney will fight the charges against you in an effort to minimize the damage.

A first arrest often instills fear and anxiety in the individual who is potentially facing charges of driving under the influence.  This is normal, considering you probably have no idea what is going to happen to you.  This is another reason to speak with a defense lawyer as soon as possible.  Your attorney will answer your questions, address your concerns, and explain the process so that you know what to expect.  Together, you and your Arlington DUI defense lawyer can work to determine the most appropriate course of action for your particular situation.

In Virginia, it is unlawful to operate a vehicle with a BAC (blood alcohol concentration) of .08 percent or higher.  Anyone who drives a car while under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or both may be pulled over and arrested if those substances impair the individual’s ability to drive in a safe manner.  Our state has some of the toughest DUI laws in the country; you must consult with a capable defense attorney who will work to ensure your legal rights were not violated, and protect you from serious criminal penalties and potential loss of your freedom.

Ultimately, being convicted of driving under the influence could affect you for the rest of your life.  While it isn’t easy to fight DUI charges, it is possible with the help of an aggressive Arlington DUI attorney.  Don’t risk your employment, reputation, and freedom.  Avoid giving police any information which could further incriminate you, and contact a lawyer at once.  You have a right to remain silent – use it.

An experienced Alexandria juvenile crime attorney understands that when a minor child is arrested or charged with a crime, it affects the entire family.  No parent wants to question how his or her child’s future and/or reputation may be affected.  The stress and fear most parents experience is substantial; what should you do, and what does it all mean for your child?  The first step is to consult with a capable defense lawyer who is highly familiar with and experienced in these types of cases.

Your child may have been arrested for shoplifting, underage drinking, drug possession, or something as serious as carjacking or robbery.  Regardless, it is critical that you contact a compassionate Alexandria juvenile crime defense lawyer right away to ensure the best possible outcome.  Your attorney will work to make certain your child’s legal rights are protected, and that rather than punishment, the focus is placed on rehabilitation.

In all truth, most parents do not know what to do when a child is arrested.  Are your child’s rights being violated?  Will he or she be put in jail, or have a criminal record that will impact his or her future forever?  The police may claim that you do not need a lawyer, but don’t listen.  Police are not you or your child’s friends; to ensure positive results, speak with a seasoned Alexandria juvenile crimes attorney immediately.  Just as adults, children can be prosecuted for crimes – and police or prosecutors may treat them with the same aggressive approach.  If you decide not to contact a lawyer, you are essentially putting your child’s future at risk.

The juvenile justice system in Virginia does focus on rehabilitation rather than punishment, however there are still some very real consequences.  In certain situations, a juvenile may be tried as an adult. It is ultimately the judge who determines the appropriate sanctions, which may include fines, restitution, probation, and more.  Your child may be place in a juvenile correctional center or residential facility upon the judge’s discretion.  It is vital that you consult with a dedicated and compassionate Alexandria juvenile crime lawyer who will work on your child’s behalf and guide you through the process, always keeping you apprised and with your child’s well-being and best interests at heart.

Teenage children are not fully mature emotionally, and often make mistakes without realizing the seriousness of the consequences if they are caught.  Being arrested does not mean that your child is a “bad” child, and he or she deserves a chance for a bright future.  Contact an attorney immediately so that work can begin to protect your child.

Many people assume that if they have been charged with driving under the influence, the only reason they should hire a Kansas City DUI attorney is if they want to get the case dismissed.  This is absolutely wrong; pleading guilty without consulting with a lawyer is a mistake, for several reasons.

Even though you realize you “messed up,” legally you are innocent until proven guilty.  The charges against you must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt, which isn’t always easy.  Police often make mistakes when arresting an individual for driving under the influence – and those mistakes may be used to your advantage.  An officer may pull you over without reasonable suspicion, which is against the law.  Breath and blood tests to determine whether you were intoxicated and to measure your blood alcohol content are not always performed correctly, handled properly, or the results may be skewed.  This is just one example of why you should consult with a talented DUI lawyer in Kansas City before pleading guilty.

Another reason you should never plead guilty without first consulting an attorney is sentencing.  If you plead guilty, you will be convicted and subsequently sentenced.  A judge has discretion when handing out your sentence, and can choose to go with a lighter sentence, or the harshest penalties that are legal for the offense you are accused of.  He or she will often consider any aggravating or mitigating factors, which are generally learned from your attorney and that state’s.  Without legal counsel on your side, you may very well say something that while you believe will help your situation, will actually make it worse.

Even when you are guilty of DUI, it’s often far more desirable to have the judge determine that you should get an opportunity to rehabilitate rather than be put behind bars.  A conviction for a DUI can mean not only jail time, but fines, loss of your driving privileges, a criminal record, and increased insurance rates.  If it is your second, third, or even fourth offense, penalties will be far more severe.  It is important that regardless of your innocence or guilt, you obtain the skill and experience of a reputable Kansas City DUI lawyer.

The old adage “you do the crime, you serve the time” simply is not true.  In our country, even those charged with the most heinous of crimes have a right to legal representation, and an opportunity to protect their legal rights.  If you have been charged with DUI and are guilty, don’t make any moves you will regret later.  Consult with an experienced Kansas City DUI attorney who will work to keep you out of jail, and protect your from what could be serious consequences.