Manassas, VA criminal defense attorney Lili R. O’Connell talks about the challenges faced in defending property crimes in VA based on trends in the prosecution. She observes that in recent years there has been a trend toward diversion programs, particularly in Northern Virginia, for property crimes. Rather than immediately pursuing convictions and punitive measures, courts are increasingly focused on providing individuals with the resources they need to prevent recidivism and address underlying issues.

She notes, however, that property crimes are sometimes unfairly categorized. For example, stealing baby food may be perceived differently than stealing jewelry, even though both are technically theft. Her approach is to ensure that prosecutors, judges, and juries see the full context of a case, rather than making judgments based solely on surface-level impressions.