Paula Hough

Mrs. Hough graduated from the University of Florida with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminology and Law. Upon her graduation, Mrs. Hough worked for the National Legal Aid and Defender Association prior to her entering the Columbus School of Law at the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. While in law school, Mrs. Hough was awarded the “Eleanor & James Clanton Haynes Memorial Law and Public Policy” fellowship, was a Senior Editor for a Law Journal, and volunteered for the Innocence Project investigating a case of wrongful conviction. During law school, Mrs. Hough also worked full-time as the Information Specialist for The Death Penalty Information Center where she delivered presentations about capital punishment to state, national and international organizations and even provided expert testimony before the Judiciary Committee of the Maryland House of Delegates. She graduated from the Columbus School of law cum laude in 2002. Mrs. Hough joined the Fairfax County Public Defender’s Office in 2003 where she zealously represented clients charged with everything from Reckless Driving and Driving While Intoxicated to abduction, rape and murder. Mrs. Hough was promoted to the position of Senior Assistant Public Defender, where she continued handling serious felonies in addition to training and supervising less experienced attorneys. Mrs. Hough joined the Gordon Law Firm in 2007 where she took the responsibility of opening the firm’s Central Virginia office. In 2009 she opened her own law practice, Brisendine, Overand, Buster and Bernstein, P.C.. After the birth of their first child in 2010, Mrs. Hough left her firm to join her husband and they opened BernsteinHough, P.C. Mrs Hough is currently on the Executive Board of the Greater Richmond Criminal Bar Assocation.

• Traffic Tickets
• Criminal Law
• DUI & DWI

• Expungement
• Restoration of Driving Privileges
• Restoration of Firearm Rights

• Free Consultation
• Credit Cards Accepted

Virginia

Since 2002

U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Virginia

Since 2012

Partner

BernsteinHough, P.C.

2017 - Current

Partner

Law Office of Gregory R. Hough

2010 - Current

Partner

Brisendine, Overand, Buster and Bernstein, P.C.

2009 - Current

Attorney

Gordon Law Firm

2007 - Current

Attorney

Fairfax County Public Defender's Office

2003 - Current

Represented clients charged with everything from Reckless Driving and Driving While Intoxicated to abduction, rape and murder. Mrs. Hough was promoted to the position of Senior Assistant Public Defender, where she continued handling serious felonies in addition to training and supervising less experienced attorneys.

The Catholic University of America Columbus School of Law

J.D. (2002) | Law

2002

Honors: “Eleanor & James Clanton Haynes Memorial Law and Public Policy” Fellowship Award

Activities: Journal of Contemporary Health Law and Policy, Executive Board

University of Florida

B.A. (1995) | Criminology and Law

1991 - 1995

Virginia State Bar  # 48095

Member

Current

Richmond Metro Women's Bar Association

Member

2019 - Current

Greater Richmond Criminal Bar Association

Executive Board Member

2015 - Current

Henrico County Bar Associaiton

Member

2007 - Current

Q. In Va can a prosecutor Nolle Proseque a case without prejudice because they can't find the confidential informant?

16 April 2020

A: Yes. As long as the the Commonwealth's Attorney can articulate "good cause", three motion to nolle prosequi should be granted.

Q. Whats the statute of limitations on class 6 felony for escape from a group home on conditional release

30 September 2019

A: In Virginia there is no statute of limitations on felony offenses.

Q. Is it IMPROPER STOPPING ON A HIGHWAY VALID IF THE SAID HIGHWAY WAS A BLVD IN COLONIAL HEIGHTS VIRGINIA SHOPPING AREA.

5 August 2019

A: Yes- according to Virginia code § 46.2-100: "Highway" means the entire width between the boundary lines of every way or place open to the use of the public for purposes of vehicular travel in the Commonwealth, including the streets and alleys, and, for law-enforcement purposes, (i) the entire width between the boundary lines of all private roads or private streets that have been specifically designated "highways" by an ordinance adopted by the governing body of the county, city, or town in which such private roads or streets are located and (ii) the entire width between the boundary lines of every way or place used for purposes of vehicular travel on any property owned, leased, or controlled by the United States government and located in the Commonwealth.