Fraud / Forgery in Fairfax County

Fraud and forgery cases in Fairfax County are dismissed at an exceptionally high rate. Of 1,607 cases, 92.7 percent were dismissed compared to the statewide average of 59.8 percent—a gap of nearly 33 percentage points. Only 7.3 percent resulted in conviction or plea, with zero acquittals recorded. This dismissal pattern suggests that Fairfax County prosecutors pursue fraud charges selectively or that cases frequently lack sufficient evidence to proceed, creating a markedly different outcome landscape than the rest of Virginia for this charge type.

Cases that do proceed typically take six months to resolve. The median disposition time is 187 days, with cases ranging from 103 days at the 25th percentile to 303 days at the 75th percentile. Among the small fraction of charges that face reduction rather than dismissal, just 4.2 percent are modified—predominantly downgraded to petit larceny (40.5 percent) or lesser fraud charges under $1,000 (60.2 percent combined). Defendants convicted face median sentences of 105 days with average fines under $244, though average sentences run substantially higher at 170 days, indicating some cases receive lengthier terms.