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Stafford County Gun Lawyer

Gun charges are treated incredibly seriously in Stafford County due to the fact that most of these charges involve the misuse or the illegal possession of something that is potentially lethal. It is also for this reason that penalties for gun related offenses are so serious and can carry time in jail.

Therefore if you have been charged with a gun crime and are exploring your next steps, it is pertinent that you hire an experienced Stafford County gun lawyer immediately. A knowledgeable defense lawyer will be able to put together a strong, convincing case that can help to reduce any potential penalties you may be facing.

Common Charges

The most common gun charges Stafford County gun attorneys encounter involve brandishing of a firearm, unlawful discharge of a firearm, and illegal possession of a firearm by someone who is either a felon, or who has been involuntarily committed to a mental institution in the past.

Concealing a Weapon

If an individual is transporting a firearm through Stafford County or anywhere in Virginia, Virginia law requires them to have a permit if they conceal a weapon. A person can be concealing a weapon either on their person or simply by having it covered up or hidden somewhere inside their vehicle. It is perfectly legal to display a weapon out in the open, but if an individual encloses it in anything other than the carrying case, they are potentially committing a crime.

In Stafford County, in order to conceal a weapon, an individual has to secure a concealed-carry permit from the Circuit Court in that jurisdiction. While it is legal for anyone to open carry or to display a weapon, it is important to know that if a person is carrying their firearm around in anything other than the case that it came in and that is not in plain view or visible, that they are potentially committing a crime.

Potential Penalties

Potential penalties for a gun offense will depend upon the severity of the crime. Having a concealed weapon without a permit is a Class 1 misdemeanor, which in most cases will only result in suspended jail time and loss of a weapon. On the other hand, if a convicted felon is found to be in possession of a firearm, they can be facing a mandatory sentence of up to five years.

One of the main repercussions of a firearms charge, particularly if it is a felony, is that a person will lose their ability in some cases to possess a firearm at all if they are a convicted felon. Being convicted of the firearm misdemeanor can also prevent a person from getting a concealed-carry permit, or it may cause them to lose the one that they have.

Treatment of Gun Offenses

Prosecutors treat gun offenses incredibly seriously, solidifying the necessity of a knowledgeable Stafford County gun lawyer in any case. Stafford County has a very heavy military presence both in terms of the people who work in the county, as well as people who live in the county and commute to nearby military bases. There are a lot of guns in circulation in the county.

Firearm offenses often come about when someone is careless with their weapon, or in some cases when someone uses a weapon in anger. The prosecutors are very concerned about this and want to make sure that when guns are possessed and used in the county it is only with due regard for safety.

Hunting Frequency

There are numerous areas both within Stafford County and in the surrounding counties where people have the ability to hunt if they are properly licensed during particular times of year. This can be both residents of the county and people who are visiting. People who are hunting in some cases do find themselves caught up in a gun charge of some kind.

Role of an Attorney

The advantage of having an experienced Stafford County gun lawyer when you are facing these charges is that they are going to give you the best chance to win your case, or to minimize the penalties or problems. They do this by making sure that your rights are protected, by challenging the government’s evidence, keeping you fully informed, and helping you make good choices throughout the course of your case.

Benefits of a Private Firm

There are a number of advantages to working with a private firm on a gun charge. One is that a private firm has significant resources, including investigative resources. A private firm can help an individual in gathering all of the evidence which will be helpful to their case, as well as evidence that may be harmful to the prosecution’s case. In addition, with a private firm a person is dealing with seasoned Stafford County gun attorneys who are far along in their careers, who are going to have the kind of experience and know-how a person needs in order to get the best result they can.

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