Attorney Paul Christopher Galanides's Legal Cases

Criminal defense

Tyvon Smith v. Commonwealth of Virginia - Court of Appeals of Virginia

May 14, 2019

OUTCOME: Four felony convictions (30 year sentence) reversed and dismissed

I handled this case on appeal and not at trial. Client was convicted of two counts of perjury, one count of arson, and one count of criminal gang participation. Court of Appeals granted an appeal on ... all claims of error, even though two relied upon the ends of justice because the arguments were unpreserved at trial. Commonwealth conceded on one argument at brief stage. Decision in favor of Appellant on all four counts - the evidence was insufficient. 30 year sentence on four convictions reversed and dismissed.

Criminal defense

Commonwealth v. A.A. - Stafford County, VA J&D Court

Mar 04, 2019

OUTCOME: Charges Nolle Prosse'd

Our client opened his home to someone in need and was later detained on a complaint that he had sexually abused her child. We began a background search and set a private investigator on the woman's tra ... il, while the police searched unsuccessfully for corroborating evidence. We appeared for preliminary hearing twice, prepared to challenge the competency of the child witness, oppose the admission of her recorded statements, and demonstrate the weakness of her identification testimony. We advised the prosecutor that our evidence would demonstrate the client's innocence and rejected the prosecutor's repeated attempts to plea bargain. When the prosecutor saw that our case was likely stronger than his, he dropped both charges before any hearing was held.

Criminal defense

Commonwealth v. Y.W

Feb 27, 2019

OUTCOME: Convicted of Possession, fine and no incarceration.

An elderly man was charged with possession of fentanyl after an overdose event that nearly killed him. We challenged the evidence in the lower court and found that the proof was going to be difficult ... to overcome. So, we worked with the prosecutor instead. We sent the client to City of Refuge, and explored options for treatment and long-term recovery. Believe it or not, many prosecutors recognize that the opiod epidemic is a health crisis as much as a criminal law issue. In the end, once we had done all we could to stabilize the client on a path to recovery, the prosecution agreed to a favorable plea deal, and the client avoided incarceration and probation.

Paul Christopher Galanides's Legal Cases (3)

Tyvon Smith v. Commonwealth of Virginia - Court of Appeals of Virginia

Commonwealth v. A.A. - Stafford County, VA J&D Court

Commonwealth v. Y.W