Facing a Criminal Charge
in Virginia?
Fight to Protect your Rights and Freedom!
If you've been arrested or have received a summons to appear in court
on a Virginia criminal charge, I know you are scared, embarrassed, and
are wondering what you should do. I'm sure you have many questions about
what you are facing.
I want you to know that I can help. I've handled literally thousands
of cases, so I know how to help people just like you get a fair shake
from the criminal justice system.
I also take pride in being able to help and support my clients
through a difficult time in their lives. I'll answer your questions, and
hopefully give you a little piece of mind that you are not alone, and
that someone is fighting on your side.
You do need to understand that any charge carries potential permanent
consequences that may deeply affect your life. Many minor criminal
charges can carry the possibility of jail time, fines, or both. A
conviction will become part of your permanent criminal record, and that
can cost you employment and other financial opportunities in the future.
You need to protect your rights by hiring a criminal defense attorney
who is ready and able to be an advocate on your behalf.
Please call me for a free consultation on your case. I'll be happy to
give you some helpful advice, and give to a chance to decide whether or
not you want to hire me to represent you.
Do I Need a Lawyer to Represent Me on a Criminal Charge?
In most cases, it is very risky to proceed without one. If you are
facing felony charges, than you absolutely need the
best legal representation you can get. The charges are serious, and you
are risking serious prison time if convicted.
For misdemeanor charges, there are probably some
situations when you'd be able to manage ok without an attorney present.
But here's the thing: most people really can't make that judgment for
themselves. You won't know if the case against you is weak or if the
police made obvious mistakes and the case should really be dismissed.
The prosecutor won't tell you any of this when he or she offers you a
plea deal.
And another thing - as much as justice is supposed to be blind, fair,
and all that, the facts show that's simply not the case. Many
prosecutors and judges are fair and reasonable, but some are extremely
tough, and will offer up strict sentences. If you are stuck in that
situation without a lawyer, there isn't much you can do about it. You
probably won't know that your are getting screwed, but even if you do,
you won't know how to respond.
Having an experienced criminal defense lawyer on your side gives you
the peace of mind that someone is looking out for your best interests,
and you're not just a pinball bouncing around the legal system. Call me
and I'll listen to you tell me about your specific case. I'll offer my
recommendations, and tell you what I would do in representing you.
There's no obligation for my consultation, so it makes sense to find out
what options are available to you. Contact me
or call (866) 382-8646.
What is a Misdemeanor Charge?
A misdemeanor is an offense that can have a penalty
of up to one year in jail. Under Virginia law, misdemeanors are divided
into four classes (I, II, III, and IV). A Class I misdemeanor is the
most common and most serious of all. Some typical Class I misdemeanors I
defend include:
| Class |
Fines |
Max Penalty |
| Class 1 Misdemeanor |
Up to $2500 |
12 Months in Jail |
| Class 2 Misdemeanor |
Up to $1000 |
6 Months in Jail |
| Class 3 Misdemeanor |
Up to $500 |
|
| Class 4 Misdemeanor |
Up to $250 |
|
| Unclassified Misdemeanor |
varies |
varies |
Unclassified misdemeanors (such as marijuana possession) are
misdemeanors with penalties specific to the statute of the crime
involved.
The least serious classes of misdemeanors are considered infractions,
and the penalty is generally only a fine. These offenses are typically
simple to resolve favorably.
Most misdemeanor charges are brought about by issuing a summons from
an arresting officer or a warrant issued by a magistrate.
What is a Felony Charge?
A felony is a criminal offense with maximum
penalties greater than one year in prison. The most serious charges are
felonies, or crimes with multiple prior offenses
Some Felony charges include:
and other serious charges.
| Class |
Fines |
Max Penalty |
| Class 1 Felony |
Up to $100,000 |
Death Penalty / Life in Prison |
| Class 2 Felony |
Up to $100,000 |
20 Years to Life in Prison |
| Class 3 Felony |
Up to $100,000 |
5 to 20 Years in Prison |
| Class 4 Felony |
Up to $100,000 |
2 to 10 Years in Prison |
| Class 5 Felony |
Up to $2500 |
1 to 10 Years in Prison |
| Class 6 Felony |
Up to $2500 |
1 to 5 Years in Prison |
| Unclassified Felony |
varies |
varies |
Unclassified felonies (such as grand larceny) have penalties specific
to the statute of the crime involved.
Felony cases are much more complex and usually involve many more
court dates, motion hearings, and legal negotiations to work out the
best possible deal, or prepare to fight the case at trial.
What is Jail vs. Prison?
A jail sentence, typically as a result of a more serious misdemeanor
conviction is served at a local county or regional jail. A prison
sentence results from a felony conviction and is served at a state
correctional facility.
Call me now to schedule your no-obligation, no-risk, free
consultation at (866) 382-8646. I'll happily give you some specific
advice on what you are facing, and what I can do to help.
Sincerely,
The Attorneys of VaCriminalDefenseLawyer.com
Find out how easy it can to be to put my experience and knowledge to
work protecting your rights and freedom, by calling me for a free
misdemeanor or felony
charge legal
consultation. (866) 382-8646
Also Reference
Virginia Crime Codes at the official state site for a list of the
most common misdemeanor violations,
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Proudly defending my clients in Northern Virginia,
including the Counties of Prince William, Fairfax, Fauquier,
Arlington, Alexandria, Falls Church, Spotsylavnia, Warrenton,
Culpeper, Hanover, Caroline, and the cities of Manassas, Manassas
Park, Haymarket, Dumfries, Quantico, and Vienna, VA.
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