Why You Need a Criminal Attorney in Virginia
September 28, 2023
A conviction of a criminal offense can impact your freedom, reputation, job and family. Whether you’re under investigation by police or have been charged with a misdemeanor or felony, contact an experienced Virginia criminal attorney as soon as possible.
Felony charges include murder, rape and serious cases of assault as well as fraud and money crimes. Felony prosecutions take place in the state’s Circuit Court.
Drug crimes
When you’re arrested for a drug crime in Virginia, it can be an upsetting experience. Law enforcement officials often try to coerce you into saying things that can be used against you in court. This is why you need a criminal attorney in Virginia to help protect your rights.
You can be charged with a drug crime when you possess illegal controlled substances or if you distribute them or manufacture them. Controlled substances include prescription medications and street drugs. In order to convict someone for possession, prosecutors must prove that they had the substance in their control.
You can also be charged with manufacturing if you have chemicals and other materials that could be used to make a controlled substance. These charges are typically considered more severe than possession.
DUI
A Virginia DUI attorney can help you deal with the consequences of a drunk driving charge. The penalties can vary from one or two years in jail to a lifetime ban on driving and steep fines. Criminal lawyers can help you handle the investigation even before the arrest takes place and develop a strong defense strategy.
A criminal lawyer can also contest the results of a breathalyzer test. They can look into whether the device was properly calibrated and if external circumstances may have affected its accuracy.
Being arrested for a crime can be scary and unsettling. Your family, your job and your freedom are at stake. A committed criminal attorney can help you get your case resolved quickly and avoid harsh penalties. They can also negotiate with prosecutors and police to reduce the charges.
Reckless driving
A reckless driving conviction can negatively affect a person’s reputation, career, personal and business relationships, and even impact child custody and marital contracts. It also impacts insurance rates, which is why it’s important to have a Virginia criminal lawyer who knows what it takes to defend these cases.
There’s a lot of subjectivity when it comes to what makes a driver act recklessly. For instance, Virginia law says it’s a crime to illegally pass a stopped school bus because the state prioritizes children’s safety. Other acts that can result in a reckless driving charge include racing, tailgating, and excessive horn honking. A skilled lawyer can use evidence to argue for leniency or have the case reduced to a common traffic offense like speeding.
Hit-and-run
Every state has its own hit-and-run laws, but one thing is consistent: if you crash into something, whether a person or a vehicle, and then flee the scene of the accident, you’re likely to get caught. If you do, you might be fined, have points put on your license, and/or even face jail time depending on the severity of the accident and the extent of injuries or property damage.
Regardless of the cause, all drivers are required to stay at the scene and offer help or provide identifying information about themselves when they’re involved in an accident that causes injury or property damage. A tough Virginia hit-and-run defense lawyer can build a strong case on your behalf to minimize penalties if you’re convicted. He can also fight to have the charge dismissed if he sees weaknesses in the prosecution’s argument.
Felonies
Felony cases are prosecuted not just by the Commonwealth of Virginia, but also by federal prosecutors. A criminal attorney Virginia residents trust to defend them against a federal charge understands how the government develops its case and can use this knowledge to get charges dismissed or reduced, or even acquittals at trial.
Those who are charged with a felony in Virginia are often facing serious consequences, including prison time and substantial fines. They can also be subject to public shame, loss of employment and other repercussions.
The first step in a felony case is receiving notification that you have been charged, which may come by way of an arrest warrant or a criminal indictment. The next step is the arraignment hearing. This is when your criminal defense attorney in Virginia will prepare to present a strong case for you.