An arrest and a criminal charge in Green County should be taken with the seriousness it deserves. This is because it can result in severe consequences, including a lengthy time in jail or prison, a hefty fine, and a life-changing record. A criminal history will impact your effort to make or retain friends, maintain previous relations, find a proper job, or find a good place to rent. Fortunately, you can change the outcome of your case with the assistance of a skilled Greene County criminal attorney.
Our competent attorneys at Virginia Criminal Attorney can help you with your situation. We will take time to understand the details of your case to advise you on your options and the best fighting strategies for a favorable outcome. We will also fight for your rights, represent you in all court hearings, and remain by your side until you are satisfied with your case’s outcome. We can compel the court to reduce or drop your charges for the best possible resolution of your case.
Types of Charges a Greene County Criminal Attorney Can Help With
The law prohibits various acts or omissions, a violation of which can result in criminal charges. An experienced Greene County criminal attorney will have the knowledge and experience to handle multiple types of criminal charges, including the following:
Sex-Related Charges
Sex crimes are some of the most severely punished under Virginia law. A sex offense occurs when you engage in a sex act with another person against the person’s consent. You can also face sex charges for engaging in sexual acts with a person who is legally incapable of giving consent, like a minor, an unconscious or highly intoxicated person, or a person with a mental, physical, or emotional disability. The sex offenses under the law are many and include the following:
- Rape
- Sexual assault
- Sexual battery
- Forcible sodomy
- Child sexual abuse
- Indecent liberties with a minor
These sexual offenses have diverse legal definitions. The district attorney will charge you with a specific sex offense, depending on the details of your case. For example, a rape charge will occur if you engage in sexual intercourse with another person or cause another person to engage in sexual acts with another person, against the person’s consent. Committing this offense against a person who is incapable of understanding the nature and consequences of the sexual act can also result in rape charges. On the other hand, sexual battery occurs when you use intimidation, force, threats, or coercion to commit a sexual act against another person and the person’s consent.
Sex offenses are highly punished in Virginia. Although prosecutors treat some offenses as misdemeanors, most sexual-related offenses are felonies. For example, a rape offense is a Class 4 felony, punishable by a minimum of five years in prison and a maximum of life imprisonment. A sexual battery charge is a class 1 misdemeanor for first offenders, punishable by a maximum of twelve months in jail. A third conviction for sexual battery is punishable by up to five years in prison.
An arrest and a criminal charge for a sex offense do not always mean that you are guilty. You could face charges because of a false accusation or mistake of facts. You could end up paying dearly for a crime you did not commit. Hence, you need to fight your charges with the assistance of a skilled criminal defense attorney. This can change the outcome of your case.
In addition to an aggressive defense against the charges, your attorney will ensure you understand your rights. They will also represent you in court to ensure your best interests are served throughout the court process. You will enjoy a smooth legal process and increase your chance of a better outcome for your case with an attorney by your side.
DUI Charges
Driving while intoxicated is another grave and common offense in Virginia. It occurs when you operate a vehicle while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. The law has a standard alcohol level of 0.08% for ordinary drivers aged 21 years or older. A higher than standard alcohol level in your system will result in a DWI charge. This is because of the risk of harm you put yourself and other road users when driving while intoxicated. The exact charge you will receive for driving while intoxicated will depend on the facts of your case and your criminal history.
A DUI conviction results in life-changing penalties. For example, it results in incarceration, a court fine, and a possible suspension, revocation, or suspension of your driver’s license. Time in jail or prison will separate you from your loved one, job or business, and the things you enjoy doing. A misdemeanor conviction can result in a one-year jail sentence, while a felony conviction can result in a lengthy prison sentence. Since driving is a privilege in Virginia, you lose it once you commit an offense that puts you and other road users at risk.
A license suspension of one year or more means you will not drive any vehicle within the suspension period. This creates difficulties when you want to move from one point to another. Although you can qualify for a restricted license, you must meet some strict requirements for the judge to grant your request. For example, you could be required to install an IID system in your vehicle to ensure you do not operate while intoxicated. A restricted license will only allow you to drive to and from specific places, like work, school, or shopping.
A first DUI offense is a misdemeanor punishable by a year in jail and a $250 court fine. A second DUI charge has a minimum mandatory court fine of $500. It is also punishable by a year in jail and a possible three-year driver’s license suspension. A second DUI charge occurs if you commit the same offense within ten years of the first. A third DUI within ten years of the first is a Class 6 felony. It can result in an indefinite suspension of your driver’s license. Other penalties include a maximum fine of $1,000, a permanent forfeiture of your vehicle, and a minimum of 90 days in jail. If the third DUI charge occurs within five years, you will face a mandatory six-month jail sentence.
Fourth and subsequent DUIs are grave felonies, punishable by lengthy prison sentences and hefty court fines.
You need the assistance of a skilled Greene County criminal attorney to fight a DUI charge. They can introduce mitigating factors, like your excellent driving record over the years, to fight for a favorable resolution. They can also fight your charges by demonstrating police misconduct regarding how your arrest and case investigation were handled. If an officer uses coercion, entrapment, or force to obtain evidence, the judge will throw that evidence out of court. If your rights were violated during the legal process, your attorney can push for a case dismissal or a reduced sentence.
White Collar Crimes
White-collar crimes are grave non-violent felony offenses under Virginia law. They carry harsh penalties for those convicted, including a lengthy prison sentence and a hefty court fine. You can face charges for a white-collar crime under state or federal law, depending on the exact violation. A skilled lawyer can help you understand the gravity of your charges, defend your rights, and fight for a favorable resolution for your case. Here are some of the white crimes against which a skilled lawyer can help you fight:
- Embezzlement
- Money laundering
- Bribery
- Forgery
- Perjury
- Extortion
- Bank fraud
- Identity theft
The legal definition for white-collar crimes differs significantly. For example, you will face embezzlement charges when you take another person’s property or money for financial gain after the property owner entrusts you. You will face a misdemeanor charge if the embezzled property is valued at $200 or less and felony charges for properties valued at more than $200. A felony charge can result in a prison sentence of 20 years. The judge can also order you to pay restitution to the victim.
A money laundering charge occurs when you use an illegally obtained property for legal purposes. A conviction can result in 40 years in prison and a fine of up to $500,000. The prosecutor can file forgery charges if you alter an original legal document or falsify a legal document for fraudulent purposes. A conviction for forgery is punishable by $100,000 in fines and a prison sentence of ten years. On the other hand, bribery occurs when you receive, demand, offer, or solicit payment to influence a person in an official position. The person who accepts, issues, or asks for a bribe can face charges. The offense is punishable by ten years in prison and a fine of $100,000.
A skilled lawyer can use various strategies to obtain a case dismissal or compel the judge to reduce your white-collar charges. For example, they can cite insufficient evidence to compel the court to dismiss your charges. Remember that the prosecutor must demonstrate the elements of a crime to obtain a conviction. If they lack enough evidence, it will be challenging to meet the burden of proof, resulting in a case dismissal. A skilled lawyer can also cite an illegal arrest or entrapment to compel the judge to dismiss part of the evidence gathered against you by the police.
In addition to building a solid defense against the charges, your attorney will ensure you enjoy a smooth legal process. Legal processes are complex and challenging to navigate without assistance. Your attorney will also discuss your legal options after reviewing your case and the evidence gathered by the prosecution. They can negotiate for a plea bargain if the evidence is overwhelming. This means pleading guilty to a less severe charge and accepting the total penalties provided for the offense under the law.
Theft Crimes
In Virginia, you can face theft-related charges for different violations, including robbery, larceny, burglary, petty theft, and grand theft. The prosecutor chooses the proper charge to file based on the details of your case.
A larceny occurs when you intentionally take another person’s prosperity without the person’s consent. The offense can be grand larceny or petty larceny, depending on the value of the stolen property and whether you took the property from the owner’s immediate possession. A grand larceny charge results from stealing a property valued at $5 directly from another person or a property valued at $200. Regardless of its value, you can also face grand larceny charges for stealing a gun. The offense is a felony, punishable by a maximum prison sentence of 20 years.
A petty larceny offense occurs if you steal an item valued at $5 or less from the owner's immediate possession or items valued at $200 or less. It is a Class 1 misdemeanor, punishable by a year in jail and a $2,500 fine.
Robbery occurs when you use force, violence, or threats of violence to steal another person’s property. It is a felony offense, punishable by a maximum of five years in prison.
Carjacking occurs when you steal another person’s vehicle in their immediate presence. The prosecutor must demonstrate that you intentionally took another person’s car and deprived the person of their vehicle temporarily or permanently. A conviction for carjacking can result in a fifteen-year prison sentence.
You need a competent attorney to fight a theft-related charge and avoid the grave penalties of a conviction. Your attorney will also ensure you navigate the legal processes successfully and understand your rights. They will accept or suggest plea bargains with the prosecutor and file an appeal if the outcome of your case is unfavorable. An attorney will stick by your side until you are happy with your case’s outcome.
The Benefits of Working with a Skilled Greene County Criminal Attorney
A criminal defense attorney plays a vital role in the criminal justice process. They work closely with defendants to ensure that the legal process is fair. They also represent defendants in court and work closely with them, offering legal guidance and support for a smooth process.
A skilled attorney will ensure you understand your constitutional rights. They will also protect your rights from police violations during your arrest and the prosecutor during the trial. Your rights vary regardless of the criminal charges you face. For example, your attorney will protect you from self-incrimination by answering questions and advising you when to speak and remain quiet. The police must inform you of all your rights during arrest and allow you to exercise them freely. Your attorney can push for a case dismissal if your rights are violated in any process step.
A skilled attorney will also investigate your case to determine its validity. They will conduct an independent investigation and review any evidence the prosecution team has gathered against you. The attorney will use that information to inform you of your legal situation and advise you on your options. They will also prepare a solid defense according to this information to push for a favorable outcome. Your attorney can also gather evidence and interview eyewitnesses to fight the prosecutor’s case during the trial. They will review police reports and any forensic evidence in the case for loopholes that can help your situation.
A competent attorney is an expert in plea bargains. They will consider the strength of the prosecutor’s case to determine the right approach for a favorable outcome. If the prosecutor has compelling evidence against you, your attorney can suggest a plea deal for a favorable resolution of your case. This can reduce a felony to a misdemeanor charge with less severe penalties. Your attorney will also know whether or not to accept a plea deal from the prosecutor. Since their primary concern is your best interests, they will make the right decision to ensure you obtain a favorable outcome.
A skilled attorney will plan defenses against your charges. The good thing about criminal trials is that defendants can fight their charges during the trial. Criminal defense attorneys are defense experts. They know the best strategies to use in specific cases for a favorable outcome. For example, if you face drug charges, your attorney can create reasonable doubt in the prosecutor’s case to compel the judge to dismiss the charges.
Find a Competent Greene County Criminal Attorney Near Me
Are you or your loved one facing criminal charges in Greene County?
A criminal charge in Virginia can result in life-changing consequences. Judges penalize convicted offenders for time behind bars, hefty court fines, and other life-changing penalties. The exact penalty depends on the violation and whether your case has aggravating factors.
However, you can benefit from the assistance of a skilled criminal defense attorney. An attorney is critical in criminal justice, including preparing evidence, legal representation, and supporting and advising defendants.
We can help you fight for a favorable outcome at Virginia Criminal Attorney. Our team is comprised of knowledgeable and experienced defense attorneys. We can help you protect your rights, navigate the legal process, and defend you in court. We can also file an appeal if you are unsatisfied with the outcome of your case. Contact us at 703-718-5533 to start the legal process with us.
