The United States District Courthouse for the Eastern District of Virginia (EDVA) is nicknamed the “Rocket Docket” for good reason. It routinely comes in at the top of the fastest federal district court jurisdictions in the country. It is also run by strictly enforced local rules that are unique to the jurisdiction.
Our office is located near the Alexandria Courthouse of the Eastern District of Virginia, so our attorneys routinely represent criminal defendants and civil plaintiffs and defendants in the Rocket Docket. Whether you are a criminal defendant or a civil litigant in the EDVA, keep in mind that time is of the essence.
Civil Litigation in the Rocket Docket
If you are a civil plaintiff, you need to have your case together and ready to go prior to filing suit. This is not a jurisdiction where you can put your case together during a lengthy discovery and motion practice schedule. Here, you need to be ready from day one.
Similarly, a potential civil defendant in the jurisdiction who receives a demand letter, notice of suit, or legal hold letter should immediately retain counsel to begin working through the evidence and potential claims.
Our office represents individuals and businesses in cases in the jurisdiction. Additionally, we routinely serve as local counsel for in-house counsel and attorneys from other jurisdictions. The EDVA requires a local counsel for each step of the process.
Criminal Defense in the Rocket Docket
The criminal side is similar. The docket moves quickly, judges deny continuance requests as a matter of course, and the time-line is condensed. A defendant is well advised to retain counsel who can begin working with investigators and prosecutors from the Office of the United States Attorney (USAO) for EDVA, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and any other investigative agency (whether U.S. Park Police, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), or military authorities) before an information or indictment.
Our attorneys have handled complex criminal and civil cases in the EDVA. We also handle driving offenses including reckless driving and driving while intoxicated that take place on the George Washington Parkway or nearby military installations, which often end up in EDVA.
Learn More or Schedule a Consultation
If you have a case or potential matter in the EDVA, contact our office today to schedule a consultation. And if you would like to learn more about the jurisdiction, read more here.
