{"id":124,"date":"2023-06-25T14:50:14","date_gmt":"2023-06-25T18:50:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/moorechristoff.wpengine.com\/?page_id=124"},"modified":"2024-02-28T06:26:00","modified_gmt":"2024-02-28T11:26:00","slug":"misdemeanors","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/moorechristoff.com\/practice-areas\/criminal-defense\/misdemeanors\/","title":{"rendered":"Misdemeanors"},"content":{"rendered":"\n[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”section” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ use_background_color_gradient=”on” background_color_gradient_direction=”90deg” background_color_gradient_stops=”#0a132f 0%|rgba(10,19,47,0.13) 100%” background_color_gradient_overlays_image=”on” background_image=”https:\/\/moorechristoff.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Criminal-Defense_hero.png” height=”360px” height_tablet=”360px” height_phone=”360px” height_last_edited=”on|desktop” custom_css_main_element=”display:flex;” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row admin_label=”row” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” custom_css_main_element=”display: flex;” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.21.0″ custom_padding=”|||” custom_css_main_element=”display: flex;||flex-direction: column;||justify-content: center;” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _dynamic_attributes=”content” header_font=”Poppins|600||on|||||” header_text_color=”#FFFFFF” header_font_size=”50px” background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”]@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF90aXRsZSIsInNldHRpbmdzIjp7ImJlZm9yZSI6IjxoMT4iLCJhZnRlciI6IjwvaDE+In19@[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#203865″ height=”60px” custom_padding=”0px||0px||false|false” custom_css_main_element=”display: flex;” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”0px||0px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#E09900″ link_text_color=”#FFFFFF” global_colors_info=”{}”]
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There are four classes of Virginia Misdemeanors. The most serious is a Class 1 Misdemeanor, which is punished by up to 1 year in jail and a $2,500 fine. Some common examples of Class 1 Virginia Misdemeanors are DUI<\/a>, Assault<\/a>, Petit Larceny<\/a>, and Reckless Driving<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Regardless of the offense or severity of the charge, it is still a criminal conviction that will remain on your record permanently. A criminal record can impact your security clearance, background check for employment, school applications, and a number of other every-day hassles. As soon as you are arrested or summoned on a misdemeanor charge, contact<\/a> our experienced criminal defense team to discuss your options and protect your future.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Virginia Misdemeanors and their punishments:<\/h2>\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Class 1 misdemeanor<\/td>\nUp to 1 year in jail, and a fine of up to $2,500.00<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Class 2 misdemeanor<\/td>\nUp to 6 months in jail, and a fine of up to $1,000.00<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Class 3 misdemeanor<\/td>\nFine up to $500<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Class 4 misdemeanor<\/td>\nFine up to $250<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Virginia Misdemeanors are typically tried in the General District Court, where you will be tried in front of a Judge. Certain offenses, such as family crimes, domestic violence, and crimes against children maybe tried in the Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court.<\/p>\n

In General District Court, you have the opportunity to\u00a0negotiate with prosecutors and reach creative solutions that best protect your interests. In the event a resolution cannot be reached before trial, our experienced criminal defense attorneys will passionately and skillfully defend you in Court.<\/p>\n

It is important to actively defend against your Virginia Misdemeanor charges. Currently, Virginia does not allow for the expungement of most convictions or guilty pleas. This means that a Misdemeanor will stay on your record indefinitely regardless of how minor the charge may seem at the time.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Virginia Misdemeanor time is served at 50%. Meaning, if you get 1 year in jail of misdemeanor time, you will only actively serve 6 months. This is true for all misdemeanors except those that carry mandatory minimum time. For example, if you are convicted of a DUI<\/a> with an elevated BAC of .15 or above and receive the 5-day mandatory minimum sentence, you will serve all 5 days.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Common Virginia Misdemeanors and Maximum Punishment<\/h2>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Crime<\/strong><\/td>\nMaximum Punishment<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Assault & Battery<\/a><\/td>\nUp to 1 year in jail, up to $2,500.00 in fines<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Driving Under the Influence (DUI\/DWI)<\/a><\/td>\nUp to 1 year in jail, up to $2,500.00 in fines<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Drunk In Public or Public Intoxication<\/a><\/td>\n$250 fine, permanent criminal record<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Disorderly Conduct<\/a><\/td>\nUp to 1 year in jail, up to $2,500.00 in fines<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Destruction of Property<\/a><\/td>\nUp to 1 year in jail, up to $2,500.00 in fines<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Reckless Driving<\/a><\/td>\nUp to 1 year in jail, up to $2,500.00 in fines<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Assault on a Household Member<\/a><\/td>\nUp to 1 year in jail, up to $2,500.00 in fines<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Petit Larceny (Theft)<\/a><\/td>\nUp to 1 year in jail, up to $2,500.00 in fines<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Indecent Exposure<\/a><\/td>\nUp to 1 year in jail, up to $2,500.00 in fines<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Hit and Run<\/td>\nUp to 1 year in jail, up to $2,500.00 in fines<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Driving on a Suspended License<\/td>\nUp to 1 year in jail, up to $2,500.00 in fines<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Driving Without a License<\/a><\/td>\nUp to 6 months jail, up to 90 days of license suspension, fine up to $1,000<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Aggressive Driving<\/td>\nUp to 6 months jail, up to 6 months of license suspension, fine up to $1,000<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Underage Possession of Alcohol<\/td>\nUp to 1 year in jail, up to $2,500.00 in fines<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Carrying Weapon in Airport<\/a><\/td>\nUp to 1 year in jail, up to $2,500.00 in fines<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor<\/td>\nUp to 1 year in jail, up to $2,500.00 in fines<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

<\/p>\n

Our Criminal Defense Jurisdictions<\/h2>\n

Our Virginia criminal defense attorneys can help those accused of a misdemeanor throughout Northern Virginia including Alexandria City, Arlington County, and Fairfax County. Here is a list of additional jurisdictions<\/a> in which we practice.<\/p>\n

Contact us<\/a> today for a free consultation.<\/p>\n

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All Practices<\/h2>\n