The following is information on the various criminal charges you can face in Loudoun County, according to a Leesburg criminal defense attorney. This include everything from minor offenses like petit larceny, shoplifting, underage possesion of alcohol, and other alcohol related offenses to more serious DUI and drug related charges.
To learn more about these offenses or to begin building a defense call and schedule a consultation today.
In Leesburg, as with the rest of the Commonwealth of Virginia, there are two levels of offenses: Felonies and Misdemeanors.
First are felony offenses. Felony offenses are punishable by a minimum (Class 6 felony) of 1 to 5 years in state penitentiary or up to 12 months in jail and/or a fine all the way up to maximum (capital and class 1 felony) which are punishable by life or in extreme cases, the death penalty. In English common law, from which most of our jurisprudence is derived, felonies were the offenses punishable by death. While thankfully the draconian principles of law have changed, the term felony still denotes the most serious offenses.
Common examples of felony offenses in Leesburg are:
Also property related financial crimes such as embezzlement, forgery, false pretenses, and uttering are also felony offenses. All of which, again, are treated and prosecuted very seriously in Leesburg.
Misdemeanor offenses are punishable by up to 12 months in jail and/or up to a $2500 fine for a class 1 misdemeanor all the way down to class 4 misdemeanors, which are offenses that only include a fine of up to $250.
Some examples of misdemeanor offenses include:
Additionally, other minor offenses such as petit larceny and shoplifting are also class 1 misdemeanors.
If you are facing any criminal charge, whether it be a misdemeanor or felony, it is important you consult with a criminal lawyer to ensure that your rights are protected and you are putting forth the strongest defense possible. While felonies are the more serious offenses, misdemeanors can also have a drastic impact on your future and hurt future prospects of employment and education, for example.
For more information on how your case can be positively influenced by the guidance of an experienced criminal defense attorney call and schedule a free consultation today.
Northern Virginia Criminal Defense Group
