Dave Albo

David B. Albo (born April 18, 1962) is a Republican politician from the Commonwealth of Virginia, USA. He represents the 42nd District of the Virginia House of Delegates and has been a member since 1994.^[1]

Personal

Albo grew up in Springfield, Virginia.^[2] He graduated from Fairfax County public schools – Rolling Valley Elementary and West Springfield High School.^[1] He has a bachelors degree in economics from the University of Virginia and a law degree from the University of Richmond School of Law.^[1]

Political career

Albo was first elected to the Virginia House of Delegates in 1994. He is the most senior Northern Virginia majority party delegate in the House of Delegates.^[3] Albo is Chairman of the Courts of Justice Committee and a member of the General Laws and Privileges and Elections committees.,^[1] and a member of the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission.^[4] Since becoming Chairman of the House of Delegates Courts of Justice committee in 2006 Mr. Albo has overseen the writing of all of the Virginia civil procedure changes including; the creation of the Bill of Complaint as the primary civil pleading, the revision of the jurisdictional limits of the courts, and the modernization of evidentiary law. In addition, Albo has overseen or drafted most of Virginia’s criminal law changes such as; the elimination of parole, the major revision of the drunk driving laws, and most of Virginia’s anti-gang laws. Albo’s complete legislative record is available as part of his House of Delegates biography.^[5]

Fees for driving violations

Albo supported large surcharges for felony and misdemeanor level driving convictions in 2007, a plan that^[6] met strong resistance from some Virginia residents.^[7] The money raised by the Virginia bill would to go toward transportation funding.^[6] Albo was singled out for criticism in part because his law practice specializes in traffic defense, and could ostensibly gain from the new law.^[8] Albo countered by arguing that increased punishments on crimes could possibly lower the occurrence of crimes decreasing business for lawyers.^[9][10] He further pointed out that this was the case with the "Abuser Fees" that lowered the number of Reckless Driving charges.^[11] However, other studies have correlated increased ticketing rates in the years following those in which government revenue has declined.^[12]

A primary area of controversy stemmed from the fact that the final bill was amended by the Governor to apply the abuser fees only to Virginia residents, and not those residing in other states.^[13] Albo defended the Governor's amendment and described it as a "weakness" but still advocated passage.^[14] The following session he voted to repeal his own "Abuser Fees."^[15] Responding to the public outcry elected officials repealed the bill in 2008.^[16]

Professional career

Albo was an assistant city attorney for the City of Fairfax from 1990–1994, before going into private practice. During the period from 1988 to 1994 Albo was appointed by the courts to serve as guardian ad litem for abused and neglected children. Albo served as President of the West Springfield Civic Association from 1989 to 1993. He is a partner at a law firm that he co-founded, Albo & Oblon, LLP. The firm specializes in employment law, government contracts, business/civil litigation and traffic law. Albo is a trial lawyer, practicing in the area of employment and traffic defense law.^[17] In 2010, Albo was recognized as one of the “Leaders in the Law” by the Virginia Lawyer’s Weekly for his leadership in improving Virginia’s justice system, changing Virginia law, and his important contributions to Virginia’s legal community.^[18]

References

External links

• Delegate David B. Albo at the Virginia House of Delegates
• Dave Albo for State Delegate
• Profile at Project Vote Smart
• Appearances on C-SPAN
• Profile at Virginia Public Access Project