{"id":125,"date":"2023-06-25T14:50:14","date_gmt":"2023-06-25T18:50:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/moorechristoff.wpengine.com\/?page_id=125"},"modified":"2024-03-04T10:10:45","modified_gmt":"2024-03-04T15:10:45","slug":"felonies","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/moorechristoff.com\/practice-areas\/criminal-defense\/felonies\/","title":{"rendered":"Felonies"},"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 six types of felonies in Virginia. Class 1 felonies are punished by the death penalty or life imprisonment. There is only one Class 1 felony which is premeditated murder.<\/p>\n

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Virginia Felony classes and their punishments:<\/h3>\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Class 1 Felony<\/td>\nDeath, life in prison, and\/or a fine up to $100,000.00<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Class 2 Felony<\/td>\nImprisonment for 20 years to life, and\/or a fine of up to $100,000.00<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Class 3 Felony<\/td>\nImprisonment for 5 to 20 years, and\/or a fine of up to $100,000.00<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Class 4 Felony<\/td>\nImprisonment for 2 to 10 years, and\/or a fine of up to $100,000.00<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Class 5 Felony<\/td>\nImprisonment for 1 to 10 years, or up to one year in jail, and\/or a fine of up to $2,500.00<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Class 6 Felony<\/td>\nImprisonment of 1 to 5 years, or up to one year in jail, and\/or a fine of up to $2,500.00<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Some charges are unclassified felonies, which have specific penalties given in the code.<\/p>\n

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What to expect when you’re charged with a felony<\/h3>\n

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There are several “steps” to trying a Felony criminal case in Virginia. The first major step is a Preliminary Hearing in the General District Court, which is for the Court to determine Probable Cause that a Felony occurred. This is a fairly low standard for the Commonwealth to meet. But, a skilled attorney can use this hearing to learn more about the strength and weaknesses of the Commonwealth’s case against you.<\/p>\n

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After the Preliminary Hearing, your trial will be held in the Circuit Court. You may choose either a Jury Trial, or a Bench (Judge) Trial. If you a found guilty, a later Sentencing Hearing will be held.<\/p>\n

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Throughout the process, there will be opportunities for your attorney to talk with the prosecutors to learn more about your case, and discuss possible resolutions.<\/p>\n

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Virginia felony time is served at 85%. Meaning, if you get 5 years of felony time, you will only actively serve 4 years and 3 months. This is true for all felonies except those that carry mandatory minimum time. For example, if you are convicted of an assault on a law enforcement officer, you will get a mandatory minimum jail time of 6 months and will serve the full sentence.<\/p>\n

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Common Felonies and their Punishments<\/h3>\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Crime<\/strong><\/td>\nPunishment<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Grand Larceny<\/a><\/td>\nUp to 20 years in prison<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Burglary<\/a><\/td>\n20 years to life, up to $100,000 in fines<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Robbery<\/a><\/td>\n5 years to life in prison<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Carjacking<\/a><\/td>\n15 years to life in prison<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Hit and Run<\/a><\/td>\nup to 10 years, $2,500 in fines<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Assault on a Law Enforcement Officer<\/a><\/td>\nmandatory minimum of 6 months in jail, can be up to 5 years<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Murder<\/a><\/td>\n5-40 years in prison<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Manslaughter<\/a><\/td>\n1-20 years in prison<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Rape, and other Sex Crimes<\/a><\/td>\n25 years-life in prison<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Manufacture of a Controlled Substance<\/a><\/td>\nmandatory minimum 5 years-life<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Possession With Intent to Distribute<\/a><\/td>\n5-40 years, up to $500,000 fine<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

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Jurisdictions We Practice In<\/h2>\n

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Our Virginia criminal defense attorney can help those accused of a felony throughout Northern Virginia including Alexandria, Arlington, & Fairfax.<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Our experience in courthouses across the Northern Virginia area helps us best represent your interests in defending your criminal charges.<\/p>\n

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