Virginia Misdemeanor Defense Attorneys
Criminal Defense Lawyers in Fairfax, Richmond & Prince William
Criminal offenses are classified according to the penalties which may be imposed upon a conviction for the offense. A misdemeanor offense is a lesser crime than a felony in that it may not be punishable by the death penalty or by imprisonment in a Virginia state prison. Many criminal offenses are “wobblers” meaning they may be classified as either misdemeanor or felony offenses, and this will depend upon the severity of the crime, the defendant’s prior criminal record and more.
Some examples of misdemeanor offenses in Virginia include: simple DWI, reckless driving, certain domestic violence charges, and lesser drug crimes.
Misdemeanor Offenses & Penalties in Virginia
Although they cannot be punished by imprisonment in a state correctional facility or by the death penalty, misdemeanor offenses are still very serious and can change a person’s life forever. It is important to consult a defense attorney as soon as possible if you are facing any type of misdemeanor charge, so you can get a clear picture of what your options are at this point and what can be done to defend your rights.
Misdemeanor offenses are classified as follows, with the penalties which may be assessed for each type of offense:
- Class 1 Misdemeanor:
- Jail sentence of no more than 12 months
- Fine of no more than $2,500
- Class 2 Misdemeanor:
- Jail sentence of no more than 6 months
- Fine of no more than $1,000
- Class 3 Misdemeanor:
- Class 4 Misdemeanor:
Virginia Criminal Defense Lawyers
A Virginia criminal defense lawyer at Brisendine, Overand, Buster & Bernstein may be able to help you if you have been arrested for a misdemeanor offense. We have 36 years of combined experience and have restricted our practice exclusively to criminal defense and traffic offenses in order to provide our clients with the best representation possible. When you work with a defense lawyer at our firm, you will have the benefit of working with a seasoned Public Defender who has a thorough understanding of Virginia legislation and case law and who is dedicated to reaching the best result attainable for your specific case.
Contact a Virginia defense attorney at Brisendine, Overand, Buster & Bernstein today! |