Alexandria Malicious Wounding Lawyer

In Alexandria, malicious wounding is a Class 3 felony, which means it can be punishable by up to 20 years in prison. Individuals who are suspected of a crime this severe, or believe that they may be detained by law enforcement in connection with a malicious wounding crime should seek the legal guidance of an experienced defense attorney as soon as they can. This is a very serious charge and it carries significant penalties that can and will have a deleterious effect on the lives of the individual charged as well as the lives of his or her family and friends. An Alexandria malicious wounding lawyer with a background in trying assault cases in Alexandria will not only be familiar with the legal system within their jurisdiction, but they will also have the knowledge necessary to build a strong defense in court.

Understanding A Malicious Wound Charge

A malicious wound charge is given to an individual who breaks the skin of another person and does so with the intention to kill, maim, disfigure, or cause serious bodily injury to that person. This crime is a step up from assault and battery in that it involves more than just an unwanted touching, but it involves an actual breaking of the skin. This charge is seen most frequently when someone is shot, stabbed, or beaten to the degree where their skin is broken.

In addition to malicious wounding, there is a lesser charge referred to as unlawful wounding. It still involves the breaking of the skin but it has a different intent level. Instead of there being an element of intent to kill, disfigure, maim, etc., it is any other unlawful intent. A knowledgeable malicious wounding lawyer in Alexandria can negotiate on behalf of their client and reduce the penalties that accompany a felony charge, and in most cases, the earlier they are contacted, the better the results are for their client. When facing these charges, it is important for an individual to understand how and why they may be eligible for a lighter charge, including unlawful wounding.

When facing these charges, it is important for an individual to understand how and why they may be eligible for a lighter charge, including unlawful wounding.

The Investigation Process

When it comes to the length of time that law enforcement will spend investigating a malicious wound case, there is no set time within which an investigation must be conducted or typically occurs. In most cases, they are very brief. When there is an incident of some kind, there is a very specific procedure that will take place, which is:

• The police are called
• They will interview everyone at the scene
• The charge is made immediately

There are other scenarios in which law enforcement may be called days or weeks after an incident. There may be a length of time needed to investigate the case before a determination can be made about the charges. It is always in a person’s best interest to get in contact with an Alexandria malicious wounding attorney if they believe they are being investigated for an assault crime.

Benefits of Having An Experienced Defense Attorney

When someone is facing a possible conviction for a crime as severe as malicious wounding, having experienced counsel on hand will yield many benefits. One of the most important benefits of utilizing a defense attorney’s services is that they can walk their client through the process of trying their case. The legal system is quite complicated, therefore having a lawyer available to explain the different phases of their trial as well as to assist with making important decisions throughout the course of the case is invaluable.

A malicious wounding conviction has the potential to have a lasting impact on a person’s life. Not only can this charge potentially result in a fine or time spent in jail, but it will also appear on an individual’s record. In Virginia, there is no process for expunging convictions, therefore the criminal charges will follow an individual permanently. Because of the stakes for a charge like this and because the government prosecutes them seriously, it is important for someone charged with assault to take it very seriously as well. The best way to do that is by involving an experienced, capable Alexandria malicious wounding lawyer to help them fight the government and give them the best chance to achieve the best possible outcome in the case.