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McLean Criminal Lawyer

Criminal charges may arise from many different circumstances, some of which result from mistakes or poor judgment. Whatever the case may be, however, having a McLean criminal lawyer on your side to defend you against any criminal charges may be wise. The stakes can be high in any criminal case and resolving your case with the help of a well-versed attorney is important.

Some criminal offenses are relatively minor misdemeanor offenses that may not have much effect on your current or future situation. However, other criminal offenses are far more serious and may result in felony convictions. The potential repercussions of a felony conviction may cloud your life for years to come. En Espanol

Misdemeanor Offenses in McLean

Misdemeanor offenses carry a potential jail sentence of no more than one year and relatively minimal fines. Some common examples of misdemeanor offenses are:

  • Assault
  • Reckless driving
  • Aiding or soliciting in prostitution
  • Possession of certain illegal drugs

While the penalties for misdemeanors may not involve jail time in many situations, these offenses still can have unexpected negative consequences. For instance, some misdemeanor convictions may make getting certain jobs or renting an apartment more difficult, especially if they require a background check.

As a result, seeking the advice of a McLean criminal lawyer may be advantageous prior to attempting to resolve the charges.

Felony Charges

Felony offenses can involve penalties ranging from one year in jail to life in prison, or even death for the most serious of crimes. Common felony charges may involve robbery, burglary, murder, manslaughter, drug trafficking, rape, sex trafficking, and child pornography charges. Significant prison sentences and thousands of dollars in fines are commonplace when it comes to felony convictions.

Furthermore, having a felony conviction can result in collateral consequences, as well. Individuals with felony convictions may be unable to vote, carry a firearm, or pursue certain careers. They may become ineligible for student loans as a result of some drug-related convictions.

Offenses Chargeable as Misdemeanors or Felonies

Probably the most common offense that could result in either misdemeanor or felony charges is DUI. A first-time DUI offense is a misdemeanor, but a third or any subsequent DUI offenses, or DUIs with certain aggravating circumstances, could result in felony charges. In most cases, whether a particular offense results in a misdemeanor or felony charge depends on the facts surrounding the offense and a history of past convictions.

Another example of an offense that can be either a misdemeanor or a felony is larceny or theft. Larceny involving goods valued at less than $500 is typically a misdemeanor, where as larceny involving goods valued at more than $500 is typically a felony. Notwithstanding these generalities, larceny also may become a felony if individuals have multiple previous larceny convictions.

Types of Criminal Offenses

There are many different types of actions that can result in criminal charges. For instance, there are crimes against the person, which encompass those crimes that do or have the potential to result in harm to others. Examples of these crimes might include attempted murder, rape, and assault.

Some crimes purely deal with property. These crimes include larceny, burglary in which individuals intend to commit larceny, and some kinds of fraud.

White collar crimes, which typically do not involve violence, usually concern financial transactions or transactions involving other items of value. Common examples of white collar crimes may include money laundering, embezzlement, and bribery.

Drug offenses run the gamut from simple possession of marijuana to drug trafficking in large amounts of heroin. Most of these offenses have the potential for severe penalties, even when the amount of drugs found is relatively small.

Sex crimes are among some of the most serious crimes under Virginia law. When these crimes involve minors, the penalties become even more severe. Examples of sex crimes are soliciting prostitution, child pornography, rape, sex trafficking, and indecent exposure.

Call a McLean Criminal Attorney for Advice Today

When you are facing any type of criminal charges, you are risking damage to your job, your family, your financial status, and your position in the community. Some of these damages may be irreparable. This is why contacting a McLean criminal lawyer for advice may be so crucial to your case.

Taking the time to speak with an experienced McLean criminal defense attorney may make a huge difference in the potential outcome of your case. Do not hesitate to make the call that may get you the answers that you need.

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