If you have been accused of a crime in Virginia, it is important to hire an experienced criminal defense attorney who will work tirelessly to defend your rights. The consequences of a conviction can be devastating, affecting your freedom, reputation and livelihood.
Felonies are the most serious of criminal charges, and they often come with heavy fines, jail time and a blemish on your record. Misdemeanors are not as egregious but they can still have a negative impact on your life.
Felonies
Felonies are the most serious criminal offenses under state and federal law, punishable by a prison sentence and fines that can be much higher than those associated with misdemeanors. If you are charged with a felony, it is important to work with a Virginia Criminal Defense Attorney who has a deep understanding of both the laws and the potential penalties.
Our attorneys can carefully review the details of your case and create a strategy for fighting to have charges dismissed or reduced. They will also be able to explain certain aggravating and mitigating factors that may play a role in your case.
A conviction for a felony can affect your future for the rest of your life and can make it difficult to get a job, license in certain occupations or housing. If you have been accused of a crime in Virginia, contact our office to schedule a free consultation with an experienced criminal defense attorney.
Misdemeanors
Misdemeanors are the less serious of the two types of criminal charges in Virginia. Felonies, on the other hand, carry much higher penalties.
Whether you are facing a DUI, a domestic violence charge, or any other type of misdemeanor offense, a criminal defense attorney can help. Having a skilled legal advocate fighting for you can minimize the effects of the charges on your life and ensure that you don’t have to face jail time or a negative record.
In Virginia, misdemeanors are classified into four classes – Class 1, 2, 3, and 4. The most serious class 1 crimes carry a maximum term of up to a year in jail and/or fines of up to $2,500.
If you are charged with a misdemeanor, it is important to understand that the prosecution will try hard to prove that you are guilty of the crime. That can include spoliation of evidence, false testimony, or other factors.
DUI
If you are charged with Driving Under the Influence (DUI) or Drunk Driving (DWI) in Virginia, a skilled criminal defense attorney can help you build a strong defense and protect your rights throughout the process. These attorneys have a thorough understanding of the DUI laws and recent decisions, which they will use to their advantage in your case.
A DUI conviction comes with a number of penalties, including community service, fines, jail, license suspension and other penalties. Additionally, a DUI can impact your employment and insurance premiums.
The penalties for a first offense vary between a $2,500 fine, one year in jail and the loss of your driving privileges for a period of up to one year. The penalties increase with subsequent offenses, depending on the severity of the offense.
A DUI conviction also requires attendance at an alcohol safety program. This can cost hundreds of dollars and is mandatory for anyone convicted of a DUI in Virginia.
Federal crimes
Federal crimes are based on violations of federal laws and are prosecuted by the federal government. Because of this, a conviction for federal crimes can carry harsh penalties including long prison sentences.
When you are charged with a federal crime, you need an experienced Virginia criminal defense attorney to help you fight the charges against you. A good attorney will give your case the attention it deserves, so that you can get the best possible results in court.
A federal criminal defense attorney can represent you in cases involving narcotics trafficking, white collar offenses, fraud and money laundering, terrorism and national security crimes, and more.
Because of the nature of federal prosecutions, a skilled attorney must know how to challenge the evidence collected by government agencies like the FBI, DEA, IRS and BTF. These agencies have vast resources and have an abundance of information about every person who is suspected of a crime.
