Virginia Criminal Lawyers

While the office of Crowley Peritz Law is in Fairfax, Virginia, our attorneys handle criminal and traffic cases throughout Northern Virginia. We place an emphasis on Fairfax, Loudoun and Prince William. Our Virginia criminal lawyers represent both adults and juveniles in the following jurisdictions:

• Alexandria
• Arlington
• Fairfax
• Frederick
• Loudoun
• Prince William
• Stafford
• U.S. District Court (Eastern District of Virginia)
• Winchester

Our consultations are always free.

Call now at (703) 337-3773 and take the first step toward getting your life back on track.

In Fairfax, the DUI attorneys of Crowley Peritz Law are dedicated to serving their clients. Drunk driving is all too common. Every day (or night) drivers take to the road after consuming too much alcohol (or drugs) and are considered impaired. However, there are many drivers who consume a single drink, but they are still arrested and charged with DUI or DWI. Many of our clients who have a pending DUI are first time offenders, who have never been inside of a courtroom. With over 20 years representing individuals facing DUI and DWI charges, we are specialists in DUI/DWI defense throughout Northern Virginia. We are eager to discuss your charge and build the best defense possible because we know your life is at stake.

Virginia classifies both 1^st and 2^nd offense DUI/DWI as Class 1 misdemeanors. A 3^rd or subsequent offense DUI is a Class 6 Felony, punishable by up to 5 years in prison, a $2500 fine and indefinite license suspension or revocation by the DMV. A felony conviction also results in losing your right to vote or own a firearm, as well as possible reporting of the conviction to your employment prospects. A felony DUI conviction may also subject your vehicle to permanent forfeiture.

Each DUI case in Fairfax, Manassas, Loudoun or anywhere in Virginia needs a customized defense by an experienced Fairfax DUI lawyer. It is easy to feel as though you will never recover from a DUI charge in Virginia. The important thing to keep in mind is that just because you have been charged with DUI that does not mean you be automatically convicted of DUI in Virginia. Each DWI and DUI case is different, and although some fact patterns may align with other DUI cases (i.e. you were pulled over initially for speeding), your DUI charge must be treated as a unique situation. Whether you have been charged with DUI in Fairfax, Prince William, Loudoun or elsewhere in Northern Virginia, we know how to fight for you. A consultation with one of our DUI attorneys serving Fairfax and all of Northern Virginia is always free of charge and untimed. It is important for our attorneys to understand the entire incident, your concerns and priorities so that our attorneys may explain how they plan to approach your case in court. Contact an Expert DUI Attorney Today.

Drug crimes in Virginia vary from misdemeanors to felonies. Most Virginia drug crimes fall into one of the following categories: simple drug possession, possession with intent to distribute (PWID), distribution or manufacturing, and transportation of drugs. Certain drug possession crimes are classified as felonies, even if the defendant is a first-time offender. It is critical that you do not attend your court hearings pro se (without an attorney). It is easy to believe that a judge or prosecutor will show mercy on someone who is coming to court for the first time, but all too often this turns into a conviction. Be sure to research the best attorneys in Virginia for drug offenses, so that you have the right advocate in your corner.

Virginia classifies illegal drugs into six categories. Some common Schedule I drugs in Virginia include heroin, LSD, and ecstasy. These drugs are regarded as having a high potential for abuse with no medical benefit to the user. Schedule II drugs may include fentanyl, cocaine, Adderall, Ritalin, morphine, and codeine. While legal through a prescription, many of our clients charged with possession of a Schedule II drug, such as Adderall, do not have proof at the time of their arrest that they are prescribed the drug. Schedule III drugs include anabolic steroids, while Schedule IV drugs include Xanax, Clonazepam and Valium. While these drugs are regularly prescribed, they have a moderate risk for abuse. Schedule V and VI drugs include minor doses of codeine, such as an over the counter cold medicine.

As Virginia criminal lawyers serving Fairfax and Northern Virginia, the attorneys of Crowley Peritz Law have represented countless individuals charged with drug possession, PWID, distribution, manufacturing, and transporting drugs into Virginia. Some of these drugs include cocaine, marijuana, heroin, Adderall, oxycontin, ecstasy, and Xanax. Regardless of where or how you were charged with a drug crime, each drug offense has its own set of facts and must be handled accordingly. Penalties for drug crimes in Fairfax and throughout Virginia vary to include the following penalties: mandatory jail time, heavy fines, rehabilitation programs and court-ordered classes, and probation. Our attorneys for Fairfax drug offenses understand how to best approach your case, build a tailored defense, and keep communication open with you throughout the duration of your case. Free Consultation with an Attorney for Drug Crimes.

Many people first contact our criminal lawyers for sex offenses after they have been contacted by a detective. In most circumstances a detective will contact an individual asking him or her to come into the police station for questioning. If this has happened to you, stop what you are doing and contact our office immediately at: (703) 337-3773 before returning any phone calls. It is imperative that you have legal counsel by your side during any form of police questioning.

Some of the most common sex crimes our lawyers handle are sexual assault, sexual battery, child pornography and computer crimes, rape, and sodomy. Each sex crime carries different penalties, and its critical that your attorney understands the statute inside and out.

Many sex crimes in Virginia have the longest lasting repercussions of any criminal offense. If convicted, some of these crimes require a permanent registration on the National Sex Offender Registry, and result in limited areas to live and extreme difficulty securing employment. You cannot risk hiring a criminal lawyer who lacks experience in sex crimes. Your life is at stake and you must have an attorney who understands your specific charge, has experience representing people in your shoes, has extensive knowledge of the jurisdiction where you have been charged, and can outline his or her approach to your case. Don’t Wait – Contact Us Now.

Reckless Driving in Virginia is a Class 1 Misdemeanor, which carries a jail sentence of up to 12 months and maximum fine of $2500. Reckless driving comes in many forms, but the most common are by speed and “generally.” If you are pulled over for driving 20 MPH over the speed limit or 85 MPH, the officer may choose to charge you with reckless driving. It is always in your best interest to hire an attorney to represent you on a reckless driving charge.

Other common traffic misdemeanors our attorneys handle include: Driving on a Suspended License, Driving on a Revoked License, Driving without Being Licensed, and Hit & Run (may be a felony). The penalties associated with these traffic crimes depend on offense number, but the majority fall into the Class 1 Misdemeanor category. Although some of these offenses appear to be minor, they may have lasting implications on your life and driving record. You may receive demerit points on your license, jail time, heavy fines or a loss of license. No matter the type of traffic misdemeanor, the attorneys of Crowley Peritz Law are prepared to fight for you and do everything we can to keep your license instated, points off your record and conviction-free.

Our traffic attorneys often witness these individuals represent themselves before a judge, and it almost never goes as they had planned. For first time offenders in Virginia, it is easy to assume you will not need a traffic lawyer to represent you in court. Unfortunately, a misdemeanor traffic conviction may result in serious consequences for your driving record, insurance and employment opportunities. Many reckless driving defendants make the mistake of thinking they do not need legal representation, and they end up with a misdemeanor conviction on their record. If you have a pending reckless driving ticket, contact us today. Contact a Traffic Attorney Now.

Larceny and property crimes in Virginia range in severity, depending on certain circumstances. For a larceny crime, the individual who has been charged must have taken an item of value without the owner’s consent. The defendant must also have the intention to permanently deprive the owner of that item. The value amount and other circumstances determine whether a theft crime is classified as a misdemeanor or felony.

Some examples of larceny and theft crimes include petit (misdemeanor, if 1^st or 2^nd offense) larceny and grand larceny (felony), altering price tags, and concealment, fraud, forgery and embezzlement. Property crimes may include a larceny element, such as burglary and robbery, and include crimes against property. Some examples include trespassing, arson, and destruction of property. Many individuals who have been charged with larceny or a property crime in Virginia have never been in trouble prior to that incident. Our criminal lawyers are here to help. We are available for free consultations to discuss your case, help you understand the court process, and work together to build your defense.

Our attorneys who represent larceny defendants have extensive experience handling misdemeanor larceny crimes in Fairfax, Loudoun and throughout Virginia. A misdemeanor larceny crime occurs when the item is valued at under $1.000. Misdemeanor theft convictions in Virginia carry a maximum 12-month jail sentence, a maximum fine of $2500 and typically full restitution to the victim. Additionally, when the victim is a retailer, the defendant is often banned from the store for 12 months to life.

Felony theft convictions in Virginia have the potential to be life-altering. Grand Larceny is a common felony theft crime in Virginia, and our attorneys have represented hundreds of individuals with this pending charge. Robbery and burglary, while aggravated forms, are also common felony theft-related crimes in Virginia. Burglary entails the breaking and entering of a home or establishment with the intent to commit a felony. Robbery is the intentional taking of an item (without permission) from a person or in the person’s presence by threatening the use of physical force.

Whether you have been charged with a 1^st offense petit larceny crime in Virginia, or you are facing multiple counts of robbery, you need a criminal lawyer who understands theft laws and procedures. A first-time misdemeanor larceny offense, even if the item was only worth a small amount, must be treated as seriously as standard larceny crime. A larceny conviction, whether misdemeanor or felony, may prevent employment opportunities or, if felonious, take away your right to vote or own a firearm. Consult with highly rated larceny attorneys today so we may walk you through the court’s process, what to expect, and how we will approach your case. Call Now For Your Free Consultation.

Assault & Battery or “simple assault” is a Class 1 Misdemeanor in Virginia and may carry a sentence of up to 12 months in jail, a maximum $2500 fine and restitution to the victim. Assault is the threat to physically harm another person, while battery is intentionally causing injury to the person. Domestic assault or “domestic violence” is also a class 1 misdemeanor, so long as the charge is a 1^st or 2^nd offense. A 3^rd offense domestic assault charge is a felony.

While simple assault is a misdemeanor, it is important to understand that there are assault-related felonies as well. Most notably, malicious wounding, aggravated malicious wounding, manslaughter, a 3^rd offense domestic assault charge, hate crimes and assault and battery crimes against certain protected employees. The penalties for Class 5 and Class 6 felony assault & battery crimes may result in 5 to 10 years in prison, heavy fines, restitution and court-ordered programs and classes.

While the laws surrounding misdemeanor assault charges throughout Virginia do not change, the process may differ within each jurisdiction. An assault charge in Fairfax, for example, may be handled differently by a prosecutor than an assault case in Loudoun County. Hiring a criminal lawyer who understands not only the charge, but also the court’s process is a critical component of your defense. Contact an Attorney for Assault & Battery Now.

If you have been convicted of a certain misdemeanor or felony offense in Fairfax or anywhere in Virginia, you may have been sentenced to a probationary term, such as required appointments with your probation officer, regular drug screenings and classes. If you violate those terms, the Virginia court where you were sentenced will likely charge you with a probation violation. Our criminal attorneys often represent individuals who were previously convicted of DUI or a drug offense and have violated their probationary terms.

Some of the most common probation violations our attorneys handle include missing a VASAP class, ignition interlock violations, not reporting on time to an appointment with a probation officer, failing drug tests, failing to appear at a court hearing or pay court fines, and being re-arrested for new crimes. Probation violations in Virginia must be taken seriously. Many judges have a zero-tolerance policy and will quickly sentence you to jail time for a first offense violation. As DUI/DWI Lawyers Serving Fairfax and the surrounding Counties, we are highly experienced in the issues which can come out of a VASAP violation.

If you have been charged with a probation violation, it is important to note that hiring an experienced attorney is the best position to put yourself in. For a judge to convict you of the violation, a prosecutor must prove that you intentionally violated your probationary terms. It is your attorney’s duty to create a reasonable doubt that you acted intentionally. If you failed to pay court fines, your attorney may be able to negotiate new payment terms. If you failed a drug screening, your lawyer may argue for a substance abuse program or counseling. Regardless of the type of violation or the reason behind it, you need an attorney by your side who will fight to keep you out of jail and a violation conviction off your record. Contact an Attorney for Your Probation Violation.

Being accused of a crime turns your world upside down. There could be a job, a security clearance, a professional license, a driver’s license, an immigration status or personal or professional reputation at stake. In some cases, the possibility of spending time in jail or prison is real, and you need a legal powerhouse on your side. Serving all of Northern Virginia, our Fairfax criminal lawyers treat each case as a unique legal challenge that requires a tailored defense. The criminal attorneys of Crowley Peritz Law are ready to review your case free of charge, discuss your possible defenses, and protect you inside and outside of the courtroom.

We will tailor your best defense and bring you immediate peace of mind by taking the fear and mystery out of the process. Whether you have been charged with a class 1 misdemeanor or multiple felonies, we understand you want top-notch legal representation to guide you through the judicial system. Our criminal lawyers believe preparing you for what to expect at every phase, and that giving you easy access to your attorney is every bit as important as representing you in court. An informed, updated client is an invaluable asset in defending a criminal case. Whether you need a Fairfax DUI lawyer, or customized criminal defense of any kind throughout Northern Virginia, we are there for you. Call Us for Your Free Consultation.