Theft Charges
Shoplifting – Larceny – Burglary – Robbery
Theft charges have varying classifications that range from larceny, robbery and burglary and involve both misdemeanor and felony applications of law. Even these are broken down into classifications in relation to the method of the theft and the severity of the crime. For instance, petty larceny as opposed to grand larceny involving the difference in the value of the theft item(s). These can also be broken down to conspiring to commit and intent to sell the item(s), as well. Robbery is use of force or threat of force in another’s presence to permanently deprive the person of his or her property, and it ranges in severity based on the circumstances. Burglary is breaking and entering the dwelling of another at night with intent to commit a felony therein, and also exists in varying levels of severity.
Theft conviction penalties range from up to a year in jail and $2,500.00 in fines or more to decade-long imprisonment or life in prison for grand larceny and robbery depending on the severity and violent nature of the crime.
White Collar Crimes
Fraud – Embezzlement – Forgery – Money Laundering
There are a wide range of “white collar crimes” that are typically non-violent in nature and typically involve the workplace or the abuse of an employer’s trust for illegal gains. Charges include obtaining money by false pretenses, forging public records, falsifying a transcript or certification, money-laundering, credit card theft and/or forgery, and writing bad checks. These charges also fall under a range of misdemeanor and felony classes depending on the severity of the charge.
Defense of white collar crimes involve assessing the admissibility of evidence, and its probative value for a fact-finder, to exploit any deficiency in the prosecutor’s case. Because the Commonwealth cannot find you guilty unless it finds you guilty “beyond a reasonable doubt,” we highly recommend having an attorney by your side to develop the best strategy on proving reasonable doubt.
Assault
Simple Assault – Assault & Battery – Maiming – Domestic Assault – Sexual Assault
Assault charges in Virginia can be brought from something as simple as “touching” another individual who perceives that the “touching” was conducted in a threatening or offensive nature to a violent, full-on assault and battery resulting in serious injury. Because there is such a wide range of definitions for assault in this State, they can be viewed as either criminal or civil tort cases – or both. Penalties can be classified under misdemeanor consisting of up to one year in jail and $2,500.00 in fines to multi-year prison terms for more serious convictions.
Because of its prevalence and volatility, domestic assault cases are handled more seriously. The family unit is the bedrock relationship in any society’s structure, and abuse there tends to keep family members from reaching their full potential in society. In many cases, the crime is on-going and the potential for more serious injury or death is a real factor due to its inherently volatile nature. In these cases, an experienced trial attorney is critical to your defense as the penalties for domestic assault are more serious than a typical assault charge.
Sexual assault also carries varying classifications and penalties. Most are considered serious offenses and fall under a felony classification associated with a sex crime defense. Call us to discuss your case to determine what areas of defense it falls under.
Sex Crime Charges
Prostitution – Soliciting – Sexual Assault – Rape – Child Pornography
A sex crime can be defined as any sex act committed on a person not giving consent, is incapable of giving consent – such as a child or disabled individual – or conducting the act as a course of transaction. Sex crime charges can be difficult to defend against depending on the circumstances of your charge. The State of Virginia looks at sex crime as particularly heinous, punishing it with long prison sentences even when the evidence is marginal. Even without a severe prison penalty, many persons convicted of these crimes are required to register as a sex offender with the State. This usually creates problems for the listed person’s employment and residency.
Prostitution and soliciting charges are vigorously prosecuted in Virginia and typically classified as a misdemeanor with penalties of up to a year in jail and $2,500.00 in fines. In some cases, there is also a risk of being listed on the sex offender registry. Most other sex crimes are classified as felonies with the potential for severe penalties if convicted.
