Just as military combat veterans and restaurant servers are often well prepared for court, a criminal defense attorney must be ready to take on whatever comes his or her way. This means having a full understanding of both Virginia and federal laws.
Local experience is also important. A familiar judge and prosecutors can make all the difference.
Types of Crimes
A criminal conviction can have serious repercussions on your personal and professional life. It’s important that you take any charges seriously and that you find an experienced Criminal Lawyers Virginia to represent you.
The prosecution has to prove every element of a criminal charge beyond a reasonable doubt in court. The elements vary by crime, but they may include things like a victim’s identity, your location, the type of weapon used and whether or not you intended to commit a crime.
A Virginia criminal defense attorney may be able to convince the prosecuting attorney not to pursue certain charges against you or to recommend a lower sentence in exchange for your guilty plea. This is known as a Plea Agreement or a Plea and Recommendation.
White-Collar Crimes
Often, white-collar crimes involve allegations of financial misconduct that result from a person abusing their position of trust and power. These allegations can be extremely serious and carry life-changing penalties. Whether you are facing an investigation or charged with a white-collar crime, it is vital to contact a Virginia criminal defense lawyer immediately.
Dave Albo – Attorney has the experience necessary to defend against a wide variety of allegations, including embezzlement, larceny, false pretenses and wire fraud. These accusations may be a misdemeanor or a felony at the state or federal level. If you’re accused of a white-collar crime, your livelihood and your reputation are at risk. You can’t afford to have the wrong Virginia white-collar crime lawyer represent you. The consequences are too steep.
Misdemeanors
Few things are more unnerving and confusing than when the police show up at your house or workplace with a warrant for your arrest. It pulls you out of the world you know and into an alien environment where everything is happening fast.
Misdemeanors in Virginia can lead to jail time and a criminal record. They can interfere with educational, professional and security clearance opportunities. They can also impact immigration status for non-citizens.
Examples of misdemeanors include DUI DWI, reckless driving, domestic violence, larceny and drug offenses. These offenses can be prosecuted at the General District Court level through a guilty plea or trial with or without a jury. The first hearing for a misdemeanor is an arraignment. The judge will read the charge and ask if you understand it.
Felonies
As the most serious of crimes, felonies carry harsh penalties that can alter a person’s life forever. A conviction can result in jail time, severe fines, a change in marital and child custody agreements and a permanent record that may make it difficult to find employment or obtain housing.
A Virginia criminal lawyer should be consulted immediately if an individual has been charged with a felony crime. A qualified attorney will work to keep the client out of prison and on probation if possible.
Jon Katz brings a wealth of experience to his cases and is committed to keeping up with updates in the law to ensure that clients get the best defense available. He goes to court fearlessly and remains focused on defending his clients.
DUI
Having a Virginia DUI conviction on your record can ruin your reputation, damage relationships and limit your future employment opportunities. That is why it is vital to have a strong and fierce criminal lawyer on your side to protect you against the consequences of conviction.
A skilled defense attorney will work to expose inconsistencies in police testimony or problems with their recollection of observations made during the DUI stop and test administration. The attorney may also seek to challenge breathalyzer results.
The laws in Virginia regarding DUI are broad and include not just standard motor vehicles, but trains, dirt bikes and ATVs as well. A Virginia criminal DUI lawyer can explain these broad laws and what they mean for you. They can also help you understand the penalties that are attached to a DUI conviction under Virginia Code SS18.2-266.
