Criminal Lawyers Manassas VA

Criminal charges we defend include “Felony crimes” and “Misdemeanor crimes”.  If you have been charged with a crime, our criminal lawyers Manassas VA can fight for your rights. 

read below penalties and defenses of misdemeanors and felonies

What is The Difference Between Felonies And Misdemeanors

Before heading into the different types of felony and misdemeanor crimes and the possible penalties of those, one must understand the difference between being charged with a felony or misdemeanor crime.

Misdemeanors are criminal offenses that are less severe crimes than felony offenses.

The latter has longer jail or prison sentences, harsh fines, and other lifelong consequences.

Moreover, felonies are also punishable by death in some extreme cases.

In contrast, when convicted of a misdemeanor, you cannot serve more than one year in jail, and the fines, in this case, will not exceed $2,500.

However, these charges will remain a part of your criminal record if you are found guilty of a crime.

The Types of Crimes and their Penalties

• Theft, Shoplifting, Grand and Petit Larceny

Theft is an umbrella term that includes many offenses against property that include shoplifting, petit larceny, and grand larceny.

Generally, theft refers to taking any property that does not belong to you and without the consent of the owner. 

Manassas Penalties for shoplifting and larceny charges are as follows:

• Shoplifting – Concealing any merchandise from a store may be charged as a felony grand larceny if the value of the goods stolen was above $1000 with a potential jail time of 12 months and a $2,500 fine. 
• Petit Larceny – This is a misdemeanor offense that is punishable by 12 months in jail and a potential fine of $2,500.

• Grand Larceny – This is a felony offense that is punishable by a maximum of 20 years in prison and harsh fines. 

• Drug Charges

Drug offenses are prosecuted depending upon the type and quantity of controlled substances involved. According to the Virginia Code §18.2-25, it’s unlawful for any person to possess a controlled substance without a valid prescription. According to the Drug Control Act, drug laws are classified in different schedules.

Schedule I and II are the most serious felony crimes that include substances such as LSD, cocaine, and heroin.

The penalties for such a felony offense can start from 10 years in prison along with a fine up to $2,500. 

In contrast, Schedule III to Schedule VI are misdemeanors that, depending upon the substances used, can have a jail term of 6 months or a possible fine, starting from $250 to $1,000.

Typically, first-time drug possession arrests do not result in serious criminal charges.

However, if you have been repeatedly convicted of drug charges you may face severe penalties. It is very important to hire experienced criminal lawyers in Manassas VA to make sure you are aware of all your legal rights.  

• Traffic Offenses 

Traffic offenses include driving a motor vehicle while intoxicated, driving without a license, driving without registration, speeding, driving recklessly, running a red light, illegal U-turns, and so on so forth.

If you are given a traffic ticket, you can either pay your ticket or choose to contest your ticket by pleading not guilty.

In Manassas, when you get a ticket for a speeding offense, it often leads to DMV demerit points that remain on your driving record for almost 5-years and can affect insurance rates.

Therefore, whenever there is a speeding violation, the court notifies the DMV who then posts the conviction on your record, assigns demerit points, increased insurance premiums, and issues a suspension of your license. 

In the event you are charged with a DUI, you may face severe penalties. Usually, for a first-time DUI offense, you may only lose your license for 12 months, no more than that.

There may be a possibility to receive a suspension of jail time if the accused keeps up good behavior for 12 months and completes the Virginia Alcohol Safety Action Program (ASAP). 

In addition to the suspended jail time, there will most certainly be fines imposed for first time DUI offenders.

These fines can go up to $2,500, depending upon whether your charge of a misdemeanor or a felony.

• Assault and Battery Charges 

These are the most common charges of violence in Manassas.

Assault is committed by carrying out a physical act intended to cause physical harm while having the ability to inflict harm or placing the victim in reasonable fear of offensive touching, harm, or danger. In contrast, the battery is an offense where there is harmful contact with another person.

It need not be serious but has to be offensive to the victim.

Both crimes are covered together under the Virginia Code. §18.2-57 that state, any person who commits such an act will be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor.

The punishments can vary from being imprisoned for a year to paying a fine of $2,500. Moreover, depending upon the seriousness of the crime, you could serve 20 years in prison if convicted of a felony.

Why Should you Hire Criminal Lawyers Manassas VA?

Criminal laws in Manassas are often complex and can be convoluted.

It would be wise to learn as much as possible about the charges you face by contacting an experienced Manassas Criminal Lawyer.

If you are facing any such criminal charges, contact the attorneys here at American Lawyers Group, they have years of experience handling thousands of cases and providing effective and efficient representation to their clients..