Criminal Defense Lawyer In Virginia — Fairfax & Northern Virginia

Do not speak to law enforcement without an attorney present. Invoke your right to remain silent clearly — say ‘I am invoking my right to remain silent and my right to an attorney’ and say nothing further. Call a criminal defense lawyer Virginia as soon as you are permitted to make a call. The statements you make in the first hours after arrest are often the most damaging evidence the prosecution will have. Attorney Shane is available 24/7 at (703) 582-8119.

Yes, calling an attorney before charges are filed is often the most important call you can make. Constitutional protections do not always apply automatically during investigations. Law enforcement can question you, gather evidence, and build a case before you have any formal notice. As a Virginia criminal defense attorney who has prevented charges from being filed entirely through early intervention, Attorney Shane has helped clients in sex crime, fraud, and financial crime investigations avoid prosecution altogether. If law enforcement has contacted you in any capacity, call immediately.

Virginia classifies crimes such as infractions, misdemeanors (Class 1–4), or felonies (Class 1–6). Class 1 misdemeanors, the most serious, carry up to 12 months in jail and $2,500 in fines. Felonies carry prison sentences ranging from 1 year (Class 6 felony) to life imprisonment (Class 1 felony). The distinction matters enormously for employment, security clearances, firearm rights, immigration status, and professional licensing. Many charges have both felony and misdemeanor versions depending on the facts and a Virginia criminal defense lawyer who understands Virginia’s charging framework can often challenge the felony classification.

Misdemeanor cases in Fairfax General District Court are typically resolved within 60–120 days of arraignment. Felony cases which go through a preliminary hearing in General District Court before transfer to Circuit Court can take 6–18 months depending on complexity, discovery disputes, and court scheduling. The timeline is also affected by whether the case goes to trial or is resolved by plea. Attorney Shane keeps clients informed throughout the process and works to move cases forward efficiently without sacrificing the quality of the defense.

In Virginia, charges that are dismissed through acquittal, nolle prosequi, or other favorable disposition are generally eligible for expungement under Va. Code § 19.2-392.2. Expungement removes the charge from your criminal record, allowing you to truthfully report ‘no record’ on job and housing applications. Convictions, however, cannot currently be expunged in Virginia (though legislation to expand expungement eligibility has been introduced in recent sessions). This is why fighting every charge aggressively and pursuing dismissal rather than accepting a plea is so critical. Attorney Shane pursues dismissal as the primary goal whenever the facts support it.

Yes. Federal employees, government contractors, and military personnel in Northern Virginia face clearance adjudication for any criminal conviction including misdemeanors. Adjudicators evaluate DUI under Guideline G (alcohol), domestic violence under Guideline J (criminal conduct), and financial crimes under Guideline F. A single misdemeanor conviction does not automatically result in revocation, but it triggers a formal adjudication process. Multiple convictions, or convictions for offenses directly relevant to your role, substantially increase the risk. The only complete protection is avoiding a conviction, which requires aggressive, effective criminal defense from the start.

Fees are based on the charges and the facts of the case. Attorney Shane does not charge flat fees for all cases; she evaluates each matter individually and provides a clear, upfront fee structure at the initial consultation. She does not make promises she cannot guarantee, and she will give you an honest assessment of your case from the first conversation. Initial consultations are free—call (703) 582-8119 to schedule yours.

Three things set Attorney Shane apart: (1) She handles every case personally from consultation to verdict — no junior associates, no hand-offs. (2) Her office is directly across from the Fairfax Courthouse, and she knows the judges, prosecutors, and local procedures better than almost any other Virginia criminal law attorney practicing in Northern Virginia. (3) She is genuinely willing to take cases to trial when that is what it takes to win. Many defense attorneys avoid trials because they’re unpredictable and time-consuming. Attorney Shane’s near-perfect success rate and willingness to go the distance set the tone for every case she handles.