Loudoun County Criminal Lawyer

If you or someone you know is accused of committing a crime, it is encouraged to contact our experienced Loudoun County Criminal Lawyer. Caring yet aggressive fighting your criminal charges.

read below penalties and defenses of criminal charges

The Three Categories of Crime:

Generally, crimes represent conduct that causes public harm to society as a whole and goes beyond the injuries suffered by the individuals in a case.

Crimes are normally classified into three categories: infractions, misdemeanors, and felonies.  

1. Infractions

Criminal infractions are the least serious class of crimes as compared to misdemeanors and felonies.

These are petty offenses that are often a violation of a regulation, an ordinance, a municipal code, or any state or local rules.

In most states, infractions are not considered to be a criminal offense and are rarely ever punished by incarceration.

2. Misdemeanors

A misdemeanor is a crime that is punishable by incarceration, temporary punishments, and smaller fines.

Some charges we represent are related to assault and battery as indicated in the Virginia law section 18.2-57.2.

It is a less serious crime than a felony but still carries serious penalties such as a year in prison and a fine of $2,500.

Misdemeanor crimes can range from property crimes to assault and battery and other violations.

3. Felonies

In the United States, felonies are crimes that are unlawful acts far more serious than a criminal misdemeanor.

A felony offense is viewed harshly by society and is punished in a range of ways that the punishment matches the severity of the crime committed.

Virginia Felony Maximum Penalty Chart

Felony Class	Jail	Fines
Class 1	Life imprisonment	Up to $100,000
Class 2	Up to life imprisonment	Up to $100,000
Class 3	Up to 20 years	Up to $100,000
Class 4	Up to 10 years	Up to $100,000
Class 5	Up to 10 years	Up to $2,500
Class 6	Up to 5 years	Up to $2,500

Generally, these are punishable by death or incarceration in state prison for a period extending a year.

Examples of a felony can include aggravated assault or battery, burglary, arson, drug possession, etc.

Arrest Procedure for Criminal Offenses

You must know what to expect at each step and what mistakes to avoid during your arrest.

The first thing that happens during an arrest is being told that you are under arrest before the officer can lay his hands on the person to take them into custody.

If the arrest does not begin with this step, it won’t be considered a lawful arrest. 

When you are arrested for a criminal offense in Loudoun, you are most likely to be put into handcuffs immediately and be brought before a magistrate in a police vehicle.

When someone is arrested, they are made aware that there is a warrant issued for their arrest.

Moreover, there are times when force is used on the officer’s part during an arrest.

Although, such force may be necessary in some situations but can be extreme in other cases. 

Once taken to the magistrate, it is up to them to determine whether the officer had probable cause to place a person under arrest and if they are entitled to any form of bail or bond. A bail bond is a way for a defendant to pay the jail to leave till the court date.

What Are Miranda Rights?

In the event a person has been arrested and not “read their rights”, they can escape the punishment.

According to the Supreme Court’s Miranda v. Arizona decision, it’s required for the officers to let you know of certain facts after your arrest. An officer in such a situation must convey to you: 

 (i) You have the right to remain silent;

(ii) If you say anything, it can be used against you in a court of law;

(iii) You have the right to have a lawyer present during any questioning; 

(iv) If you can’t afford a lawyer, one will be appointed. 

These rights are applicable in circumstances where the person under arrest is subject to custodial interrogation.

Furthermore, it doesn’t matter where the interrogation occurs, if such a person is in custody, the police are required to read the Miranda rights to them.

Only when these rights have been read to the accused, can the police use anything said during the trial. 

If you’ve been arrested or charged with a crime, it’s encouraged to consult with an experienced Loudoun County Criminal Lawyer to seek an explanation of the law and how it may differ in your county.

Things to Avoid During an Arrest Process

At the time of the arrest, it’s better to avoid speaking any facts or any information about your case.

It is not a wise idea to explain yourself without speaking to your attorney first and give the officers your side of the story.

This can make your case even worse if the prosecutor decides to use anything you may have mentioned to the officer as evidence during a trial.

Moreover, a big mistake to avoid during an arrest is trying to resist the arrest or to assault the officer. Do not use force.

Any person using force while being arrested can be charged with resisting an officer. One should calmy cooperate with the police officers and try their best to avoid this sort of behavior.

Why Should You Hire a Loudoun County Criminal Lawyer?

If you have been charged with a criminal offense in Loudoun County, it is encouraged to seek assistance from an experienced Loudoun County Criminal Lawyer who can build a strong and effective defense strategy for your case.

The attorneys here at American Lawyers Group have years of experience handling thousands of cases providing strong and efficient representation for their clients.

Contact us today if you have been charged with a criminal offense or made a mistake during your arrest.