Self-Defense

Assault with Firearm Charge DISMISSED After Conviction Overturned on Appeal in Fairfax County Circuit Court

Fairfax, Virginia Criminal Defense Attorney Case Result: Client was initially found guilty of Assault with a firearm in the Fairfax County General District Court and sentenced to 5 days in jail. On appeal to Circuit Court, the case was Dismissed after Defense filed 3 motions to dismiss. Client walked out a free man. Read more […]

Police Officer Defense Lawyer: Law Enforcement Defense, Use of Force

POLICE OFFICER TRUSTED LAW FIRM MEDVIN LAW PLC is one of the very few law firms trusted by Virginia police officers for the defense of serious internal investigations, criminal investigations, and personal traffic and family/domestic accusations. Attorney Marina Medvin has represented police officers, their friends, and their family members from many of the local VA/DC […]

Virginia Self Defense and Use of Force Laws, Defense of Excessive Police Use of Force

Virginia Law of Self Defense

Virginia law protects the use of reasonable and proportional force to defend life, limb, and property. This right extends to individuals and to those they seek to protect (third parties). Virginia recognizes justifiable and excusable self-defense.

Self-defense, however, is not summarized in a statue or through a simple equation. Instead, self-defense is defined broadly by Virginia courts as the amount of force used to defend oneself that is not excessive and is reasonable in relation to the perceived threat. This means that judgment as to whether the use of force was reasonable will be determined on a case-by-case basis, ex-post-facto. 

Virginia police and prosecutors will decide whether to charge someone who used force in self-defense. They will evaluate each case based on physical evidence, eyewitness observations, and statements made by the person claiming self-defense. Unfortunately, firearm owners in Virginia frequently find themselves charged with brandishing, manslaughter or even murder when law enforcement officers and prosecutors do not believe self-defense was a valid claim.

As such, self-defense is most commonly used by a criminal defense attorney as an affirmative defense to a criminal charge. Self-defense is used as a defense in the following types of Virginia cases: Murder, Manslaughter, Assault and Battery, Brandishing a Firearm, Disorderly Conduct, Reckless Handling of a Firearm, and Resisting Arrest.

NOT GUILTY of Brandishing Firearm in Virginia in Self Defense

FAIRFAX VIRGINIA CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEY CASE RESULT: Client was acquitted at trial and found NOT GUILTY of Brandishing a Firearm, the defense prevailing on theory of self defense. Va Law § 18.2-282. Pointing, holding, or brandishing firearm, air or gas operated weapon or object similar in appearance; penalty. A. It shall be unlawful for any […]

NOT GUILTY in Alexandria Virginia Assault and Battery Trial

ALEXANDRIA VIRGINIA ATTORNEY CASE RESULT: NOT GUILTY verdict in trial for a Class 1 Misdemeanor Assault and Battery charge, VA Code 18.2-57. Client was charged for pushing and punching alleged victim. Defense invoked Self Defense and Defense of Property defenses successfully. City of Alexandria General District Court, 520 King Street, Alexandria, Virginia. Read more about […]

NOT GUILTY of Assault & Battery – Self Defense & Defense of Another

FAIRFAX VIRGINIA CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEY TRIAL RESULT: NOT GUILTY verdict in trial of a Class 1 Misdemeanor Assault and Battery Charge under VA Code 18.2-57 – defense of Self Defense and Defense of Others. Fairfax County General District Court, 4110 Chain Bridge Road, Fairfax, Virginia. Read more about Assault and Battery Law here: Virginia Assault […]

Felony Malicious Wounding REDUCED to Misdemeanor Assault w/ NO PENALTIES

VIRGINIA CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEY CASE RESULT: Felony Malicious Wounding charge (VA Code 18.2-51) was reduced to a Misdemeanor Assault and Battery charge (VA Code 18.2-57) with NO PENALTIES. Read more about Assault and Battery Law here: Virginia Assault and Battery Laws and Penalties – Defense Attorney’s Explanation of Misdemeanor Charges Under VA Code 18.2-57

TheTruthAboutGuns.com Interview with Marina Medvin: Self Defense and the Defense of Others?

Article appearing in TheTruthAboutGuns.com on 11/16/11 Ask Foghorn Asks Marina Medvin: Self Defense and the Defense of Others? Posted on November 16, 2011 by Nick Leghorn KYgunner writes: I’ve done a lot of research into self defense situations and making sure that, God forbid, if I ever end up in a situation where SHTF, I […]

Felony Malicious Wounding Charge REDUCED to Misdemeanor Assault and Battery in Alexandria Virginia

City of Alexandria, Virginia: Felony Malicious Wounding (VA Code 18.2-51) due to a deep bite during a fight was REDUCED to a Misdemeanor Assault & Battery charge (VA Code 18.2-57). This was a third assault offense on the client’s record, yet client walked away with only two active weeks of jail time to be served […]

Charge DROPPED: Misdemeanor Assault and Battery in Arlington Virginia

Arlington County, Virginia: Misdemeanor Assault and Battery Charge (VA Code 18.2-57) was DROPPED. Read more about Assault and Battery Law here: Virginia Assault and Battery Laws and Penalties – Defense Attorney’s Explanation of Misdemeanor Charges Under VA Code 18.2-57

Charges DROPPED: Misdemeanor Assault and Battery in Fairfax Virginia

Fairfax, Virginia: Misdemeanor Assault and Battery Charge (VA Code 18.2-57) DROPPED for insufficient evidence. Read more about Assault and Battery Law here: Virginia Assault and Battery Laws and Penalties – Defense Attorney’s Explanation of Misdemeanor Charges Under VA Code 18.2-57

NOT GUILTY of Assault and Battery in Fairfax Virginia

Fairfax, Virginia | Criminal defense attorney case result: Fairfax County Circuit Court trial for an Assault and Battery charge under VA Code 18.2-57, for an alleged assault on a girlfriend, resulted in a Not Guilty verdict. Learn more about Virginia Assault and Battery laws here: Virginia Assault and Battery Laws and Penalties – Defense Attorney’s […]