If you have been charged with a violent crime in Virginia, you may be facing a serious offense that can result in significant punishment if convicted. While some crimes are misdemeanors, many are felonies that carry lengthy prison sentences. A strong defense essential to avoid these harsh consequences and in some instances, may result in the charges being dismissed or reduced to a less serious offense—even if you are guilty. Our experienced violent crimes attorneys have decades of experience helping clients facing serious criminal charges. Our legal team is here to provide you with an aggressive and thorough defense so you can achieve the best possible outcome.
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Violent Crimes Our Virginia Defense Attorneys Can Help You With
Violent crimes are those where the victim is physically injured or threatened with harm. The Commonwealth of Virginia vigorously prosecutes these crimes, and you need the assistance of an experienced lawyer to guide you through the criminal process and protect your legal rights. Many offenses fall within the category of violent crimes. The following are just some of the criminal charges we can handle for you:
- Assault and battery. Unlike some other states, Virginia treats assault and battery as one crime. An assault and battery can occur when there is an unauthorized offensive or harmful contact, which can include touching by an object. This is a Class 1 misdemeanor punishable by one year in jail and a $2,500 fine.
- Domestic assault. Domestic assault is an assault and battery crime where the victim is a family or household member. This crime involves the unlawful touching of the person, but no injury needs to be present for the crime to have been committed. This is also a Class 1 misdemeanor with the same possible sentence as assault and battery.
- Unlawful wounding. The crime of unlawful wounding occurs when a person stabs, cuts, shoots, or otherwise causes a victim to suffer bodily injury. He must have intended to maim, disfigure, disable, or kill the victim. This is a Class 6 felony with a one- to five-year prison sentence and fine of up to $2,500.
- Malicious wounding. Malicious wounding is a more serious crime than unlawful wounding and has the added requirement that the crime was committed with malice, which involves a purposeful and intentional commission of the crime. It is a Class 3 felony. The sentence may include a prison sentence of 5 to 20 years and a fine of up to $100,000.
- Aggravated malicious wounding. To be convicted of aggravated malicious wounding, an additional element must be proven—that the victim was severely injured and suffered a permanent physical impairment. The punishment upon conviction may be 20 years to life in prison and a fine not to exceed $100,000.
- DUI maiming. DUI maiming is a Class 6 felony in Virginia. The prosecutor must prove a person drove while intoxicated in a gross, wanton, and culpable manner that unintentionally caused a person to suffer a bodily injury resulting in a permanent disability. The punishment is one to five years in prison and a fine of up to $2,500.
- Gun and weapon offenses. There is a wide variety of misdemeanor and felony gun offenses in Virginia. Some include carrying a concealed gun without a permit, brandishing a firearm in a manner that elicits fear, possessing a gun (if a convicted felon), and discharging a gun while committing a felony. The sentence depends on the classification of the crime, but it can range from up to 12 months in jail and a $2,500 fine for a misdemeanor conviction to up to 10 years in prison and a $100,000 fine if convicted of a Class 4 felony.
- Arson. Arson encompasses a number of misdemeanor and felony offenses that make it a crime to intentionally burn a structure or building. The most common and serious felony crime is the malicious burning and destruction of a dwelling through the use of fire or an explosive device. If the dwelling was occupied, the sentence can be five years to life in prison and a $100,000 fine.
Charged With a Violent Crime in Virginia? Contact Our Law Firm for Help Building a Strong Defense
Our experienced criminal defense attorneys have years of experience fighting for the rights of clients facing violent crimes charges and always work tirelessly to obtain the best possible outcome for individuals we represent. To learn what you can expect in your criminal proceedings and how we can assist you, call our Fairfax office today to schedule your free consultation.