Criminal Defense Attorney in Virginia
The stakes could not be higher when facing criminal charges in Virginia. The legal system of the Commonwealth is extremely complex. It comes with unique laws, criminal justice system procedures, and many local nuances that can break your case if you don’t have the right counsel and representation. From the Oceanfront of Virginia Beach to the rural areas of Williamsburg, it is vital to retain the legal services of a Virginia criminal defense lawyer when facing charges.
At Lawton Legal Practice, I offer aggressive, personal legal representation for clients charged with crimes in Virginia. As a former U.S. Army Ranger, I know what it means to fight for something that matters. As a Virginia defense attorney, I take every case seriously because I understand what’s at stake: your rights, your freedom, and your future.
Common Criminal Charges in Virginia
Being charged with a crime in Virginia is confusing and intimidating, especially if you have no idea what to expect. That is why it is so vital that you hire an attorney who can be there for you, ready to defend your innocence at a moment’s notice, every step of the way. At Lawton Legal Practice, I am here to protect you across a wide range of criminal cases. The most common criminal charges I handle in Virginia include:
- Assault and battery crimes: In Virginia, assault can be defined as the threat or use of force that causes an alleged victim to suffer reasonable fear that they will be harmed. Battery charges can occur when an act of harmful or hurtful physical contact follows the assault. Several crimes can be listed under assault and battery charges, including the following:
- Simple assault and battery
- Assaulting a police officer
- Assaulting an educator
- Simple assault
- Assaulting a healthcare provider
- Assault is done against an individual because of their race, gender, religion, disability, gender identity, skin color, ethnic or national origin, or sexual orientation
- Driving under the influence: It is illegal in Virginia to operate a motorized vehicle with a blood alcohol content level, or a BAC, of 0.08% or higher if you are at or above the legal drinking age of 21. It is likewise illegal to be operating a motorized vehicle while under the influence of certain controlled substances such as cocaine or meth and even with some prescription or over-the-counter medications.
- Traffic violations: An individual can receive a ticket for a traffic violation, such as a speeding ticket, when allegedly breaking a traffic law. Speeding tickets are issued widely nationwide, with Virginia seeing about 590,000 speeding cases a year. While these cases may seem small and manageable initially, once they pile up, you could face long-term consequences.
- Domestic violence: These charges can arise when an individual is allegedly guilty of perpetrating some form of domestic violence on a particular party, including a spouse, ex-spouse, romantic partner, past romantic partner, child, sibling, parent, grandparent, stepparent, or another individual within their family unit. These actions can include physical abuse, such as hitting or pushing, and also emotional and sexual abuse.
- Reckless driving: In Virginia, several different offenses can result in reckless driving charges. These can include violations of operating a vehicle with excessive speeds, failing to signal, failing to yield to an emergency vehicle, drag racing, passing a stopped school bus, passing a car on a curve in the road, and forms of aggressive driving, such as weaving your vehicle in and out of traffic.
- Underage drinking: For individuals under the legal drinking age of 21, facing underage drinking charges may seem like no big deal. However, the opposite is typically the case. Facing underage drinking charges, especially if the alleged individual is operating a vehicle, can result in severe penalties, including probation, fines, community service, and the suspension of their driver’s license.
Contact Us Today Lawton Legal Practice
Please note that I do not handle military criminal defense or UCMJ-related offenses. However, I am proud to represent veterans and active-duty personnel facing civilian charges in Virginia courts. As a veteran myself, I understand the importance of protecting your record, reputation, and career.
At Lawton Legal Practice, I am here for you. I believe that everyone, no matter who you are, is innocent until proven guilty, and I am ready to do whatever it takes to fight for your rights and freedoms, even if that means bringing your case to trial.
How Virginia Criminal Charges Are Classified
In Virginia, criminal charges are typically classified in one of two categories. These two categories include:
- Felony Charges: These charges tend to be more serious and, therefore, come with higher penalties, such as hundreds of thousands of dollars in fines and even the potential to face a life sentence behind bars. Common felony charges include rape, a third DUI, robbery, and the possession of certain controlled substances.
- Misdemeanor Charges: These charges are typically less severe than felonies but can still result in high fines and up to a year of jail time. Common misdemeanor crimes include assault and battery, disorderly conduct, and certain types of theft, such as shoplifting, obstruction, and petit larceny.
Speak With a Trusted Criminal Defense Attorney in Virginia Today – Lawton Legal Practice
No matter what the nature of the criminal charges you are facing, Lawton Legal Practice is here to help. With my legal support, you can rest assured that I will fight aggressively to prevent a conviction, lessen your sentence, and pursue an outcome that protects your rights and future. Contact my Hampton Roads office today to schedule your initial consultation and learn more about my legal services.
