Virginia Federal Criminal Lawyer

Not all criminal defense lawyers have the knowledge and experience to defend against federal charges. My name is H. David O'Donnell and I have represented individuals in federal criminal court in Virginia since 1988.

If you are being investigated by the federal government in connection with a criminal case or have been indicted or charged with a federal crime, I strongly recommend you contact my law office for a consultation. Federal crimes are very serious; they carry harsh penalties including large fines and lengthy prison sentences.

Federal criminal charges can be difficult to defend against. Statistics show that 93 % of federal defendants enter guilty pleas rather that go to trial. Federal prosecutors will often wait to charge you with a federal crime until they have thoroughly investigated the matter and are reasonably assured that they have a solid case against you.

I represent aggressively my clients who are charged with federal crimes. I draw from my extensive experience in federal court and my knowledge of the federal court system to understand the prosecutor's case and find the best method to challenge their proof.

I commonly work with people charged with the following federal crimes:

A common issue that arises with federal crimes is counseling my clients on how to understand and apply the federal sentencing guidelines to their situation. Navigating the minefield of federal sentencing guidelines is an integral part of advocacy in Federal court and I have considerable experience in that area, including appealing sentencing guidelines issues to the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals.

Although the Federal Sentencing guidelines were rendered discretionary following the U.S. Supreme Court's decision in Booker, in January of 2005, statistics indicates that the judges in the Western District of Virginia continue to follow the guidelines in an overwhelming majority of cases. The law concerning sentencing guideline application is dynamic and changes constantly. Attorneys must stay on top of the changes in the landscape of federal sentencing. As an experienced lawyer in the federal system, I am able to help you gain a clear picture of exactly how the federal sentencing guidelines will apply to you and the length of sentence you might be subject to, if convicted.

H. David O'Donnell
57 South Main Street
Suite 206
Harrisonburg, VA 22801-3737
Phone : (540) 434-7306
Fax : (540) 434-1411
Map and Directions

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.