A wounding charge indicates that you have seriously injured another person, either deliberately or unintentionally.
Malicious wounding is a serious felony charge with considerable penalties and jail time if you are convicted. Consult with an experienced criminal defense attorney as soon as possible to discuss legal options and defenses. Please call for a consultation at (888) 205-9314.
What is Malicious Wounding?
Malicious wounding as defined by the VA criminal code is the act of shooting, stabbing, cutting, wounding, or causing bodily injury with the intention to maim, injure, disfigure, disable, or kill.
If you cause serious bodily injury without intent, the charge is unlawful wounding.
A charge of aggravated malicious wounding is when the victim is severely injured, and caused permanent physical damage or disfigurement.
What are the Penalties?
Under Virginia criminal code, Malicious Wounding is a Class 3 felony, which carries with in penalties of up to 20 years in prison.
Unlawful wounding is a class 6 felony, with a penalty of up to 5 years in prison.
Aggravated Malicious Wounding is designated as a Class 2 felony, which carries with it a prison sentence of 20 years to life.
Malicious Wounding & Related Charges Defenses
To prove a charge of malicious wounding, the prosecutor must establish intent and malice. If, not the charges should be reduced to unlawful wounding. Depending on the degree of injuries sustained, it may also be possible to get the charges reduced to a misdemeanor assault and battery charge.
Please contact me right away if you’ve been charged with these offenses. When you are facing severe consequences from felony charges, there is no time to waste in establishing your defense, and affirming your rights under the law. Call me now to find out how we can defend and protect you from these charges.