Silence is Golden: Complying with Domestic Violence Pre-trial Release Conditions
Time and time again in Washington D.C. domestic assault cases, I find myself standing in court with my client, trying to explain to the judge why he or she shouldn’t go to jail while we are waiting for trial. It’s frustrating, because this conversation is completely...
Up in Smoke? Marijuana Decriminalization and DUI
As of Thursday, July 17, 2014, it is no longer a criminal offense to possess an ounce or less of marijuana in the District of Columbia. Perhaps more importantly, police can no longer claim that they have reasonable suspicion to stop and search a person based on the...
Sleeping With the Enemy? An Interesting Stalking Argument
I just finished a Civil Protection Order (CPO) trial in D.C., in which the petitioner’s lawyer (provided by the District of Columbia Attorney General’s Office) argued that my client had been stalking the petitioner. For a little background, the parties were in an...
Defending your Washington, D.C. DUI Charge
If you look around the next time you are at a restaurant, bar, party, your office, or even your church, chances are you’ll see someone there who has been arrested for Driving Under the Influence (DUI). Whether you’re rich or poor, black or white, young or old, making...
Arrested in DC? What to Expect, Part II
This is the second of a two part series on what to expect if you are arrested in Washington, D.C. Part I, outlined the journey of your case if you have been charged with a misdemeanor. If you have been charged with a felony in D.C. your case will proceed somewhat...
Arrested in DC? What to Expect, Part I
Getting caught up in the criminal justice system can be frightening and confusing. Knowing what to expect won’t make the process any easier, but it can decrease your anxiety, and help you make better informed decisions about your case, and about hiring a DC criminal...
Shield or Sword: Civil Protection Orders in the District of Columbia
If a judge finds that there is “good cause,” to believe that a person (the respondent) has committed or threatened to commit a crime against another (the petitioner), a judge may issue a Civil Protection Order against that person. D.C. Code 16-1005(c) Most often...
Misunderstood Miranda: What Being “Read Your Rights” Really Means
Everyone who watches television or goes to the movies has heard it: “You have the right to remain silent. If you give up that right, anything you say can and will be used against you. . .” But as I have discovered from experience, not everyone understands what the...
The Use of Hearsay in Domestic Assault Trials
Like DUIs and DWIs, a domestic violence charge is often a client’s first exposure to the criminal justice system. There are wide variations of what is considered a domestic assault—from striking someone to knocking something out of his or her hand—but each type can...