Frequently Asked Questions

The Practical Stuff You Need To Know

​

​Look, we get it. You're trying to figure out whether to call us, what it's going to cost, and what the whole process looks like. Here are the answers to the questions people actually ask when they're trying to decide whether to hire a criminal defense attorney.

​

What Kinds Of Cases Do You Accept

​

We handle serious criminal cases. That's our focus. Murder, rape, malicious wounding, gun charges, drug charges, robbery, assault on police, the cases that can end with prison time and permanently alter someone's life. We also handle DUIs, domestic assault, probation violations, and other charges that can have serious consequences.

​

What we don't handle: traffic tickets (maybe the occasional reckless driving) and minor misdemeanors unlikely to result in jail time. Not because there's anything wrong with those cases, but because they're not where our experience and skill set provide the most value. Our guiding principle is that we don't get involved in a case unless we bring value added to the situation. If you're charged with something we don't typically handle, we'll tell you that during the consultation and point you toward attorneys who focus on those areas.

 

About Consultations

​

Do I really get a free consultation?

​

Yes. We don't charge for initial consultations. You'll talk to one of us (not a secretary, not a paralegal, an actual attorney) about your case. We'll ask questions, give you an honest assessment of your situation, and explain what we think your options are. If we're not the right fit, we'll tell you that too.

​

How long does a consultation take?

​

Usually 30-45 minutes, sometimes longer. We're not watching the clock. We take the time needed to understand your situation and give you useful information.

​

What should I bring to the consultation?

​

Bring any paperwork you have: warrants, summons, bond papers, police report if you have it. If you don't have paperwork yet, that's fine too. Just bring yourself and be ready to talk honestly about what happened.

​

Do I need to bring money to the consultation?

​

No. The consultation is free. If you decide to hire us, we'll discuss fees at that point, but there's no obligation and no pressure.

​

Can I bring someone with me?

​

Sure. A lot of people bring a parent, spouse, or friend for support. That's totally fine.

​

About Fees

​

How much does it cost to hire you?

​

It depends on the charge and the complexity of the case. We typically charge a flat fee that covers everything from start to finish: court appearances, motions work, plea negotiations, trial, the whole thing. We'll give you a specific quote during the consultation once we understand what you're dealing with.

​

What does "flat fee" mean?

​

It means you pay one price upfront and that covers your entire representation, no matter how many court dates there are or how much work the case requires. The one potential exception would be for a jury trial (which we discuss upfront if your case might go to trial) or expert witnesses if needed. We never want you making decisions based on worrying about additional legal bills.

​

Do I have to pay everything upfront?

​

We're reasonable people, and we know that legal fees aren't cheap. If you need a payment plan, talk to us. We're willing to work with clients on payment arrangements.

​

Are you expensive?

​

We don't know what other lawyers charge or why. What we do know is that we have 36 years of combined experience, we've tried and won some of the most serious cases you can face, and we work every case like it's going to trial. If you want the cheapest lawyer in town, we're probably not it. If you want lawyers who know what they're doing, we might be.

​

About the Process

​

How quickly can I meet with you?

​

Usually within a day or two. The only exception would be if we're in the middle of a jury trial. We can almost always schedule an appointment within a week at most. 

​

What cities do you handle cases in?

​

Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Chesapeake, Portsmouth, Suffolk, Newport News, Hampton, basically anywhere in Hampton Roads. We practice primarily in Virginia Beach, but we handle cases throughout the area. We also regularly handle appeals in the Court of Appeals of Virginia and Supreme Court of Virginia. 

​

How long will my case take?

​

There's no standard answer. Some cases resolve in a couple months, others take a year or more. It depends on the charge, the evidence, whether we file motions, whether the case goes to trial, and how backed up the court is.

​

Do I have to go to every court date?

​

The default position is that you should be at every court date. That being said, we know that missing work and family obligations for continuances and other unnecessary dates is highly annoying. We do our best to deal with continuance issues in advance of court so you're not wasting your time. We'll contact you prior to each court date to let you know if you need to be there.

​

What should I wear to court?

​

Dress like you're going to a job interview. Business casual at minimum. No shorts, no tank tops, no hats, no visible drug references or profanity on clothing. It sounds basic, but you'd be surprised how often people show up dressed like they're going to the beach.

​

About Working Together

​

Can I call or text you with questions?

​

Yes. We're accessible. You'll have our cell phone and email, and you can reach out when you need to. We can't always answer immediately because we're often in court, but we respond as quickly as we can.

​

What if my case goes to trial, is that extra?

​

We discuss this upfront during the consultation. For most cases, the flat fee covers everything other than a jury trial and expert witness fees. If your case goes to a jury trial, there may be an additional fee because jury trials require significantly more preparation and time. We're transparent about this from the beginning.

​

What if I need an expert witness?

​

If we think an expert would help your case, we'll discuss it with you. Expert witnesses charge their own fees (expert witnesses are rare, but they can be critical in some cases). We'll explain whether an expert makes sense for your case and what the cost would be.

​

What happens if I'm not happy with how things are going?

​

Talk to us. Seriously. We want to know if you're frustrated or confused or think we're missing something. We can't fix problems we don't know about. The attorney-client relationship only works if there's honest communication.

​

About Your Specific Situation

​

Should I talk to the police before I hire you?

​

No. Politely decline to answer questions and ask for a lawyer. You're not being difficult or uncooperative, you're being smart. Anything you say to the police can and will be used against you, even if you think you're explaining your innocence.

​

I already talked to the police. Did I screw up my case?

​

Not necessarily. People talk to the police all the time, and we deal with it. It makes the case harder sometimes, but it's not automatically fatal. We'll figure out how to deal with whatever you said during the consultation.

​

Can you get my case dismissed?

​

Maybe. Some cases get dismissed. Some cases get reduced. Some cases go to trial and result in not guilty verdicts. Some cases result in plea agreements. We won't promise you a specific outcome during the first meeting because that would be dishonest. What we will do is give you a realistic assessment of what's achievable based on the evidence and circumstances.

​

How do I know if you're the right lawyer for me?

​

Honestly? You might not be sure until you meet with us. But here's how to figure it out: First, look at our work. Read the actual trial transcripts from our closing arguments. See how we attack witness credibility, challenge forensic evidence, and argue to juries. Then look at our case results, not vague mentions of victories long ago, but detailed breakdowns of the prosecution's case, our defense strategy, and the outcome. If you're facing a serious felony charge, you want lawyers who've been there before and know what they're doing. If you read our transcripts and case results and think "these guys know how to fight," then we're probably a good fit.

​

Second, meet with us. During the consultation, you'll get a sense of whether we're straight shooters who understand your case, or whether we're blowing smoke. Some people want a lawyer who'll tell them exactly what they want to hear. That's not us. We're honest, sometimes brutally so. If you want lawyers who'll give you a realistic assessment and fight like hell when it matters, we'll probably work well together.

​

Third, compare us to other attorneys. We encourage you to meet with at least one or two other lawyers before making a decision. Ask them the questions we outline in our guide to finding the right attorney. See what they say. Then make an informed choice.

​

The bottom line: if you're facing serious charges and you want experienced trial lawyers who've won the cases that matter most, call us. If you're looking for the cheapest lawyer you can find or someone who'll promise you the moon, we're not it. Talk to a few attorneys, compare what they tell you, and go with the one you trust. If that's us, great. If it's someone else, that's fine too. The important thing is that you feel confident in whoever you hire.

​

Still have questions? Call us at 757-961-3311 or fill out the contact form to schedule a consult.