FAQs: DC Criminal Defense

Below, DC criminal lawyer Peter Odom answers some frequently asked questions about criminal charges, investigations, and defense attorneys in Washington, DC.

What Makes DC Criminal Laws Unique?

With the state-based systems that we have in the United States, every state has a different set of rules. Every state including DC, which is not a state, has a different set of laws, different penalties for different crimes, different court procedures, and different rules...

Can I Appeal a Misdemeanor Conviction in DC?

Shawn Sukumar: Yes. The D.C. Court of Appeals will hear appeals for any criminal convictions, misdemeanor or felony. Everyone who’s been convicted after a trial is entitled to an appeal. Typically, people who have been convicted after a guilty plea are not entitled to an...

If I’ve Been Convicted or Charged With a Crime in DC, Will My Job Know?

Shawn Sukumar: That depends on what kind of job you have. For example, jobs that have security clearances or government jobs that run regular background checks to find out if you’ve even been convicted or charged with a crime. That is relatively rare in jobs...

What Is The DC Diversion Program?

Diversion is a negotiated resolution that your defense lawyer can work out with a prosecutor that will allow you to get your charges dismissed in exchange for you, the defendant, complying with certain conditions. Those conditions typically include community service, but there are different kinds...

What does it mean to have a suspended license?

The DC Department of Motor Vehicle is the only agency that has the ability to suspend a driver’s license. The DC criminal court, where a criminal case is heard, does not have the legal authority to suspend a driver’s license. So, in the event you...