Paula Hough
Experienced Richmond DUI, DWI, Traffic Ticket Criminal Defense
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
- U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Virginia
- English: Spoken, Written
- Partner
- BernsteinHough, P.C.
- - Current
- Partner
- Law Office of Gregory R. Hough
- - Current
- Partner
- Brisendine, Overand, Buster and Bernstein, P.C.
- - Current
- Attorney
- Gordon Law Firm
- - Current
- Attorney
- Fairfax County Public Defender's Office
- - 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
- 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
- -
- Virginia State Bar # 48095
- Member
- Current
- Richmond Metro Women's Bar Association
- Member
- - Current
- Greater Richmond Criminal Bar Association
- Executive Board Member
- - Current
- Henrico County Bar Associaiton
- Member
- - Current
- Website
- BernsteinHough
- Q. My 16 year old son got caught with someone that had beer and weed on them what will happen
- A: Was your son charged? If not, nothing will happen to him. If he was charged, you should reach out to an attorney for advice and a consultation regarding the charge(es). Both underage possession of alcohol and possession of marijuana are criminal misdemeanor charges.
- Q. My speeding ticket says my fine is $61 dollars in total, but paying online shows i owe $125. Is there something wrong?
- A: The additional fees are for court costs.
- Q. How long after getting a DUI can u be charged with driving on revoke DUI. Isnt there a statue of limitations on a DUI.
- A: Your "revocation" lasts 1 year for a first offense DUI. After the year is over, your license is considered "suspended" if you have not completed ASAP and have not gone to the DMV to have your license reinstated.
- Q. how to reduce malicious wounding and felony strangulation charges?
- A: You may be subpoenaed to testify against your boyfriend. You likely will both want to speak to separate attorneys.
- Q. case dismissed one month found guilty the next? what can be done about this?
- A: It appears from what you've written that the DMV suspension was for not paying fines and/or costs for the May expired registration charge. I do not know the facts of either of the expired r
- Q. My son get this charge. What is the meaning of this offense in common words please? He was under drugs effects or what?
- A: Thank you for your question. It is unclear for what offense your son has been charged. Please provide a code section (it will usually start with "18.2-...") or the name of the specific charge.
- Q. What’s my percentage on actually going to jail for reckless driving?
- A: It will truly depend on the jurisdiction in which you were charged. There are many judges in Virginia that will impose a jail sentence for driving at that speed. You will want to contact a local attorney right away.
- Q. How many hours per year of pro bono work are attorney's supposed to do?
- A: The Virginia State Bar Professional Guidelines Rule 6.1 states: (a) A lawyer should render at least two percent per year of the lawyer’s professional time to pro bono publico legal services. Pro bono publico services include poverty law, civil rights law, public interest law, and volunteer activities designed to increase the availability of pro bono legal services.
- Q. I have a a charge of indecent liberties with child in Virginia,since they have changed law and made it violent offense
- A: You need to speak with an attorney right away. You should not discuss this case or anything about it with anyone other than a lawyer. Do not talk to the police. An attorney will explain your next steps (i.e., arraignment, preliminary hearing, trial, etc.) Indecent Liberties can be punished as either a Class 4 or Class 5 Felony depending on the facts of the case. Punishments for each are as follows: For Class 4 felonies: a term of imprisonment of not less than two years nor more than 10 years and...a fine of not more than $100,000. For Class 5 felonies: a term of imprisonment of not less than one year nor more than 10 years, or in the discretion of the jury or the court trying the case without a jury, confinement in jail for not more than 12 months and a fine of not more than $2,500, either or both.
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