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Experienced Virginia Criminal Defense LawyerLicensed in Virginia State and Federal Courts My name is H. David O'Donnell and I have been practicing law in Virginia since 1981. I am a native of Harrisonburg, Virginia, and have strong ties to the community. My law office is primarily devoted to representing people charged with criminal offenses in Virginia state or federal courts. If you have been arrested or charged with a crime, you need to speak with a criminal defense lawyer as soon as possible. You want to make sure that your rights are being protected and that you have someone to speak on your behalf from the very beginning of your case. Your case begins when the police receive a complaint and you may not know they suspect you of any wrongdoing. The point at which the police reach out to you in connection with an ongoing investigation may be the most critical time when you need the assistance of an experienced criminal defense attorney. Police officers are adept at interrogation techniques and are trained in the psychology of witness questioning. It goes far deeper than the classic good cop / bad cop scenario we see on television. You would be astounded by the number of criminal defendant's who are convicted almost solely by what comes out of their own mouths. Your Fifth Amendment right not to incriminate yourself is not a legal technicality, it is a basic freedom afforded you by the constitution. Be smart, talk to lawyer before you talk to a police officer who may suspect you of crime. If the officer's questioning makes you uncomfortable, that is a warning sign that you may be a target of their investigation. Be polite, be direct in your assertion to the officer, but be firm. In my over 25 years as a criminal lawyer, I have pretty much seen it all. I work with people charged with minor traffic violations to those charged with serious felonies in federal court. I graduated from James Madison University and taught there part time for ten years. As part of my practice, I often work with local college students who have been arrested or charged with a crime. I am routinely contacted by out-of-town students who may not be as familiar with the attorneys in town and are looking for representation for criminal charges such as drunk driving (DUI / DWI), drug possession, underage drinking, disorderly conduct, and other more serious criminal matters. I have extensive experience representing people charged or indicted in federal court. Not all attorneys choose to take federal crime cases or have the experience to defend against federal criminal charges. I have been representing people charged with federal crimes ranging from bank robbery, fraud, gun and drug crimes to homicide for at over 20 years. Please feel free to contact my law office if you are seeking representation or to find out more information. Most brief initial consultations are free of charge. H. David O'Donnell Criminal defense lawyer, H. David O'Donnell, is located in Harrisonburg, VA, and represents clients throughout northwestern Virginia including the counties of Rockingham, Page, Shenandoah and Augusta Counties and the local cities of Harrisonburg, Staunton and Waynesboro. The information you obtain at this site is not, nor is it intended to be, legal advice. You should consult an attorney for individual advice regarding your own situation. Every legal matter is different. The outcome of each legal case depends upon many factors, including the facts of the case, and no attorney can guarantee a positive result in any particular case. Copyright © 2008 by H. David O'Donnell. All rights reserved. You may reproduce materials available at this site for your own personal use and for non-commercial distribution. All copies must include this copyright statement. |  |       |