If you were accused of forceful larceny, you might be overwhelmed and unsure of to proceed. Because of the potentially severe penalties for a conviction, it might be beneficial to reach out to a knowledgeable lawyer to discuss what to expect following a Fairfax robbery charge. A persistent defense attorney could help to explain your legal options, investigate the facts of a charge, and work tirelessly to get an acceptable outcome under the circumstances.
In Virginia, a person has several plea options when they are charged with robbery. These pleas are guilty, not guilty, no contest, or nolo cotendere. Before deciding how to proceed, anyone accused of robbery or any other criminal charge should have extensive talks with their attorney about whether or not a plea agreement is in their best interest.
This is because there are a variety of factors that are going to determine whether or not a plea agreement would guarantee the best success for a person’s unique situation, including the type of evidence that will be presented and the sentencing options that might be available, among other things. Furthermore, it is important to understand that these pleas are not entered at an arraignment or bond hearing.
If someone is arrested for a robbery offense, one of the primary risks to their family is that the person may be incarcerated and not receive a bond. Robbery offenses create what is known as a presumption against bond—based on Virginia Code §18.2-120. This means that certain crimes disqualify a person from bond.
Furthermore, seizure of property related to a criminal offense—known as forfeiture—may also initially occur upon arrest, if the items are intended to be used as evidence of the person’s wrongdoing. For example, if a person is accused of stealing a car, law enforcement would seize the vehicle and hold it as evidence.
Forfeiture may also occur in cases where, for example, a person is accused of robbing a bank and subsequently using that money to buy a house. In this type of scenario, the government is going to try to seize that house as a forfeited asset. This also applies to other pieces of property. If this happens—or if a person’s assets are frozen—they have the option to challenge this, based upon what type of filings they make. Because of these and other legal nuances, it is important to understand what to expect following a robbery charge in Fairfax.
If you were accused of forceful or violent theft, it is essential to understand what to expect following a Fairfax robbery charge. To this end, a well-versed lawyer is an excellent source of communication for a person to understand what needs to be done with each step of the ensuing process.
This may include contacting family members or third parties to deal with your possessions, helping draft and execute powers of attorneys, and countless other legal components. To begin discussing your circumstances today, reach out to a well-practiced attorney.
Northern Virginia Criminal Defense Group
