COVID-19 FAQs

Is your office currently open during business hours?

Yes! Our office is open with at least one attorney present during business hours. We also have a 24-hour answering service that relays messages to our attorneys at any hour. If you need to drop off any documents or make any in-person payments, please give our office a call at 703.273.6431 or drop the documents off at the front door.

When and how can I contact you?

The best way to contact us is through email or phone. Until the 10-person limit is lifted, we are limiting our in-person office visits. We have a 24/7 answering service that relays messages to each attorney and we have someone in the office answering phones each weekday during business hours.

If you’re working with a specific attorney, you can send them an email at any point. Our attorneys are rotating in and out of the office to minimize in-person contact, so email may be the fastest way to get a response to your question about your specific case.

What video chat platforms do you offer for clients?

We offer Zoom, FaceTime, RingCentral, and WhatsApp video conferences as needed.

Are you accepting new clients?

Absolutely! Please give us a call for a free consultation.

How can I get updates regarding the status of my case or legal matter?

You can send an email to Melissa, our receptionist, at melissa@novadefenders.com or you can give us a call at 703.273.6431. Additionally, if you are working with a specific attorney in our office, please feel free to email or message that attorney regarding your case.

Are courts still open in my area? Will my court date be rescheduled? What if I can’t come to court because I’m sick or quarantined?

The Supreme Court of Virginia has instructed all Virginia courts to continue all civil, traffic, and criminal matters taking place between March 17, 2020, and April 26, 2020 unless it falls under specific exceptions. The exceptions include emergency matters and matters deemed urgent by the judge hearing your case.

Some exceptions are bond motions, continuance motions, protective order hearings, arraignments and attorney advisements, and cases where a client is in jail. Please speak with your lawyer or call our office regarding your specific circumstances.

If your case is one that will be continued, the clerk of the court will assign your case to the next available date in May, June, or July. An attorney in our office can advise you on the continuance policy of each court depending on where your case is scheduled to be heard.

If you cannot come to court because you are sick or quarantined, please give us a call about waiving your appearance in court.

Will scheduled depositions, mediation, arbitration, or settlement negotiations occur as planned?

Please speak with your attorney regarding your specific case, but most depositions, mediations, arbitrations, and settlement negotiations will occur as planned via video conference unless a continuance has been agreed upon or an in-person meeting is required.