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 (888) 205-9314.
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:
- possession of marijuana
- petty larceny (shoplifting)
- assault and battery
- carrying a concealed weapon
- stalking
- bad checks
- computer fraud
- DUI (DWI) aka Drunk Driving
- disorderly conduct
- domestic assault
- driving on a suspended license
- aggressive driving
- reckless driving
- oral threat of harm
- violation of a protective order
- and more…
| Class | Fines | Max Penalty | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class 1 Misdemeanor | Up to $2500 | 12 Months in Jail | DUI, reckless driving |
| Class 2 Misdemeanor | Up to $1000 | 6 Months in Jail | aggressive driving |
| Class 3 Misdemeanor | Up to $500 | ||
| Class 4 Misdemeanor | Up to $250 | ||
| Unclassified Misdemeanor | varies | varies | possession of marijuana |
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:
- murder
- malicious wounding
- armed robbery
- burglary (unarmed, Class 3 felony, armed is a Class 2 Felony)
- grand larceny
- possession of drugs
- domestic assault (3rd offense or greater)
- malicious wounding
- threatening to kill or do bodily harm
- use of a firearm in commission of a felony
- child endangerment
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.
Other Criminal Justice Legal Problems
In addition to criminal violations, you can also be in trouble with the law for missing a court appearance, and having a warrant issued for your arrest. Or if you’ve been found guilty of a charge, and have violated the terms of your probation, that can be a serious situation as well.
Please call us for help with the criminal courts for any probation violation or outstanding warrant, and we’ll talk about what we can do to help.
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 our lawyers now to schedule your no-obligation, no-risk, free consultation at (888) 205-9314. We will happily give you some specific advice on what you are facing, and what I can do to help.
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. (888) 205-9314
Also Reference Virginia Crime Codes at the official state site for a list of the most common misdemeanor violations,
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