By Virginia Criminal Attorney Sheryl Shane · Fairfax, Virginia
Tysons draws shoppers from all over the region. People come from Arlington and Loudoun, from Maryland and the District, from hotels near the Beltway, and straight off the Silver Line. So when a shopping trip at the Tysons malls ends with a theft accusation, the person holding the paperwork is often not from here, has never been to a Virginia courthouse, and doesn’t know where the case is going.
This page answers the local questions first, then points you to the page on this site that covers your exact situation.
Tysons Is Part of Fairfax County
Mailing addresses around Tysons often say McLean or Vienna, which confuses people. But Tysons itself is not a town or a city. It is part of Fairfax County, so a theft accusation from the Tysons malls or the shopping centers around them is a Fairfax County case.
For an adult, that means the Fairfax County General District Court, in the courthouse complex on Chain Bridge Road in the City of Fairfax. For anyone under 18, the case goes to the Fairfax County Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court, in the same complex.
That’s the courthouse my office faces from across the street. I’ve worked in it for decades.
If You Don’t Live in Virginia
A large share of Tysons shoppers live in Maryland, the District, or farther away. If that’s you, the most important thing to know is simple: the court date on your paperwork is in Fairfax, and it is not optional. Living in another state doesn’t move the case, and ignoring it can turn one charge into two.
If traveling back is hard, don’t guess and don’t wait until the week of court. Call a Fairfax lawyer early, so the options for your particular case are known before your date arrives.
Find Your Situation
Every Tysons theft case has its own facts. Start with the page that matches yours:
- Stopped by store security, or accused of hiding merchandise: Petit Larceny and Concealment Defense. That page also covers the letter the store’s law firm sends.
- Accused at a self-checkout, or of switching a price tag: Price Tag Switching and Self-Checkout Larceny Charges in Virginia.
- The value is $1,000 or more, such as electronics or designer goods: Grand Larceny Defense.
- Accused of taking goods to resell, or of working with a group across several stores: Larceny With Intent to Sell Defense.
- A credit card or gift card is involved: Credit Card and Gift Card Theft Defense.
- Anything else, or you’re not sure which charge you’re facing: my Fairfax larceny and theft defense overview.
Why a Local Lawyer Matters in a Tysons Case
A theft case from Tysons is handled by Fairfax County prosecutors, in front of Fairfax County judges, on a Fairfax County docket. How cases like yours are usually handled there, and what can be done before the first court date, is local knowledge. For someone who lives elsewhere, having a lawyer who is already at that courthouse can also make the whole process far less disruptive.
Questions People Ask About Tysons Cases
My paperwork says McLean or Vienna. Is my case in a different court?
A theft accusation from the Tysons malls is a Fairfax County case, heard at the Fairfax County courthouse complex on Chain Bridge Road, even when a nearby address uses a McLean or Vienna mailing name.
I came to Tysons on the Metro from D.C. or Maryland. Does that change anything?
No. The case stays in Fairfax County, where the accusation happened, no matter where you live or how you got there. What changes is the planning. Talk to a Fairfax lawyer early about your court date.
I was visiting from out of state. What should I do first?
Keep every paper you were given, write down what happened while it’s fresh, and call a Fairfax criminal defense lawyer before your court date. Don’t let the distance tempt you to ignore it.
Talk With a Fairfax Lawyer About Your Tysons Case
I have defended criminal cases for more than 31 years, I handle every case personally, and my office is directly across from the Fairfax County Courthouse, the same courthouse where your Tysons case will be heard.
Call (703) 582-8119, available 24/7, or contact me online.
Virginia Criminal Attorney Sheryl Shane
4015 Chain Bridge Road, Fairfax, VA 22030
(703) 582-8119
This article is attorney advertising and general information only, not legal advice. Reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. Current through the 2026 Special Session I of the Virginia General Assembly.
