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If you are facing criminal misdemeanor or felony charges in Virginia. Don’t worry as a Virginia criminal lawyer I can fight your case in court and defend your legal rights.
read below the different criminal charges we defend in court
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What Is The Difference Between Misdemeanor Criminal Charges and Felony Charges
Virginia crimes are categorized under two broad umbrellas: misdemeanors and felonies.
Misdemeanors are the lesser category of the two and felonies are the more severe crimes that are more harshly punished.
Below are some tables to show the immediate consequences of felony or misdemeanor convictions, per §18.2-10 and 18.2-11.
| Misdemeanor Class | Maximum Fine | Maximum Jail Time |
| Class 1 | $2,500 | 12 months |
| Class 2 | $1,000 | 6 months |
| Class 3 | $500 | No jail time |
| Class 4 | $250 | No jail time |
These are maximum sentencing scenarios, and judges and juries have discretion on how harshly to punish you for a conviction.
| Felony Class | Maximum Fine | Maximum Jail Time |
| Class 4 | $100,000 | 10 years |
| Class 5 | $2,500 | 10 years |
| Class 6 | $2,500 | 5 |
However, prior convictions, the facts of your case, and your behavior in the courtroom will impact how severely you are punished.
The skilled Virginia Criminal Lawyer at American Lawyers Group can help argue down any potential sentences.
What is Considered DUI/DUI Driving Under the Influence in Virginia?
Virginia vigorously prosecutes its driving laws. A great example of this is how strictly Virginia enforces its DUI laws.
Technically, Virginia has DWI laws. However, DUI is more commonly used, and we will use DUI moving forward.
DUIs are criminalized under §18.2-266. Virginia law considers DUI to be the operation of a motor vehicle with a BAC of .08%.
The same section of the law also criminalizes the use of other specific drugs while operating a vehicle.
The first DUI offense in Virginia is a class 1 misdemeanor.
A second offense in a short span of time is also a class 1 misdemeanor, but with some increased immediate jail time.
The third DUI conviction becomes a class 6 felony. In addition to the above-mentioned penalties, DUI convictions will result in license suspensions.
Is Larceny Considered a Criminal Misdemeanor or Felony Charge?
Virginia has two kinds of larceny. Under §§18.2-96 and 18.2-95, Virginia prosecutes grand larceny and petit larceny.
Grand larceny is the theft of money or goods valued at $1,000 or more.
The theft of a firearm is always grand larceny regardless of the monetary value.
Petit larceny is the theft of goods or money valued at less than $1,000.
Petit larceny is a class 1 misdemeanor offense. Meanwhile, grand larceny is a felony with much more severe jail time and greatly increased fines.
Additionally, you must return the property you stole.
What is Considered Criminal Assault and Battery Charges in Virginia?
Assault and battery are criminalized in Virginia under §18.2-57.
Essentially, assault is when you make someone genuinely and reasonably believe you are going to hit them immediately.
The battery is the intentional touching of another. So, when you punch someone in the face, you have likely committed assault and battery.
However, if they do not see the battery coming, it is not an assault.
Normally, assault and battery are misdemeanors.
If the assault and battery are hate crimes motivated by race, sex, religion, gender identity, sexuality, or other characteristics listed in §18.2-57, they become class 6 felonies with a minimum jail time of six months.
Why You Need a Virginia Criminal Lawyer?
Virginia prosecutes its criminal laws vigorously. As you can see from the tables of sentences above, it sentences harshly as well.
Experienced Strong Defense Virginia Criminal Lawyer
If you are facing criminal charges in Virginia, you need to fight those charges with skilled and experienced attorneys.
The attorneys at the American Lawyers Group can help you fight criminal charges.
They can use honed cross-examination questions and well-crafted legal arguments to cast doubt on the case being made by the prosecution.
With these tools and more, the attorneys at the American Lawyers Group can help beat criminal charges.
In addition to the immediate legal consequences of a conviction, you will also have a harder time finding employment and will lose other rights in the long run as a result of criminal convictions.
You need to fight them; you need the experience of Virginia Criminal Lawyer at American Lawyers Group.
Experienced Strong Defense Virginia Criminal Lawyer
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