No criminal charge in the Commonwealth of Virginia should be taken lightly. Depending upon the nature of your charges, a criminal conviction can result in high fines, jail time, or both – not to mention a criminal record.
A Greensville criminal lawyer will be able to explain your charges to you, along with the possible penalties, and can help you to make a decision about how best to proceed in your case. If you are facing charges, an experienced defense attorney is essential in building your defense to obtain the best outcome in your case
Crimes in Greensville are generally classified into two categories: felonies and misdemeanors. Felonies are crimes which are punishable by more than one year of incarceration (or, in some cases, by death). Misdemeanors, on the other hand, are generally punishable by up to one year of incarceration.
Other possible penalties resulting from criminal convictions may include the following:
To avoid the most serious of these consequences it is important that anyone accused consults with a Greensville criminal attorney as soon as possible to begin building a defense.
In Greensville, reckless driving can include the following charges:
Reckless driving may be prosecuted as a felony, and a conviction could lead to jail time. Minor traffic offenses, such as speeding, running a red light, or running a stop sign, usually result in fines and/or possible points assessed against the driver’s license.
Assaults can range from simple assaults (i.e. Class I misdemeanors with a maximum penalty of one year in prison and $2,500 in fines) to domestic violence.
Domestic violence in Greensville is an assault committed against someone with whom the accused shares a residence (e.g., a family member, spouse, boyfriend, or girlfriend). The potential penalties in domestic violence cases are normally higher than those in run-of-the-mill assault cases which makes it especially important that an experienced Greensville criminal lawyer is contacted.
In Virginia, illegal drugs are broken down into 6 schedules – or classifications – based upon the potential danger to the public, addictive nature, and other factors.
Schedule I drugs, for example, include drugs like heroin and ecstasy. Charges can range from simple possession to distribution.
Convictions for driving under the influence or driving while intoxicated carry serious penalties in Greensville, usually depending upon the number of prior related convictions
For example, a first-time Greensville DUI offense can carry a maximum penalty of one year in jail and a fine of up to $2,500.
Virginia thefts may be prosecuted as either felonies or misdemeanors, depending upon the value of the merchandise stolen and whether violence was used to obtain the merchandise.
Grand larceny is punishable by up to 20 years in prison. A violation of laws in Greensville for petit larceny may result in jail time of up to one year.
A criminal charge or conviction results in a criminal record. A criminal record can affect virtually every aspect of a person’s life, from getting a job to renting an apartment.
Greensville criminal lawyers can examine the individual facts and circumstances of your case and can help you to formulate legal defenses to your criminal charges and may also be able to help you obtain a reduction of your charge and/or a penalty reduction upon conviction.
You should feel free to contact experienced Greensville criminal lawyers at any time, via telephone or email, for an initial consultation.
Do not send us confidential information related to you or your company until you speak with one of our attorneys and get authorization to send that information to us.