Criminal law is a legal specialty covering those who have committed crimes, as well as those actions seen as threatening, harmful, or compromising the health, safety, property, and welfare of individuals (including oneself). If you are facing a legal matter handled in Northern Virginia criminal court, Williams Stone, PC has over 50 years of combined law experience to help guide you through the process.
With the threat of imprisonment, potential damage to your career, and even your future international travel at risk, it is important to secure representation. Our criminal defense attorneys can protect your rights and uphold your defense in criminal court to preserve your freedom.
Assault/Battery
While assault and battery are often grouped together, they are two different crimes and are treated differently. Battery is the act of forceful physical contact with a person or their property. Assault is more complicated and often combined with a mixture of aggravating issues. As such, assault can expand into different subclasses such as domestic assault, assault with a dangerous weapon, assault with intent to do great bodily harm less than murder, assault with intent to murder and assault with intent to rob.
Domestic Violence
Domestic violence is defined as committing assault against a partner, family member, roommate, or someone else in the household. Domestic violence often combines assault with a secondary factor. This can include hitting or pushing a family member but may also include threats to commit assault where the victim feels they are in imminent danger of harm.
The use and safety of firearms in the modern era are increasingly complex. You may be charged with illegal possession after a felony conviction, carrying a concealed weapon, possessing a weapon on school grounds or while in possession of drugs, brandishing a firearm, illegal discharge, and more. In the event of a gun-related charge, it is essential to trust a criminal defense lawyer to help you navigate the many nuances of gun crimes.
Traffic Offenses & DUI
Minor driving citations often result in fines and points on a driver’s license, but multiple offenses will garner increasing fines and other penalties. Conferring with a lawyer about traffic offenses is your best defense to keep these points off your license and keep your license in your hands. More serious offenses, like reckless driving, may require the immediate retention of a criminal defense attorney.
In cases such as driving while intoxicated and reckless endangerment, penalties, fines, and jail time can stack up quickly. Driving while intoxicated can result in immediate jail time while driving recklessly with a minor in your vehicle can result in severe fines and loss of your driving privileges. Having a lawyer help you navigate through the potential outcomes of these cases is vital.
Drug Charges
Depending on the type of drug in your possession and the amount you are carrying, drug penalties can get steep quickly. These penalties can range from fines to probation and prison time. In many cases, a skilled criminal defense attorney can develop a compelling case and seek a reduction in charges.
In others, the police themselves have committed a crime during the procurement of evidence. If police commit an illegal search, fail to keep the proper chain of custody, or conduct inappropriate motor vehicle stops, evidence may be inadmissible. Your attorney can prove this action in court and request dismissal of your charges.
Disorderly Conduct
Disorderly conduct is defined as engaging in conduct that will likely cause future acts of violence. There are a variety of actions that can result in disorderly conduct charges, and the police have a broad scope to enforce the law. If the police are required to intervene in a disruption you have caused or participated in prolonging, it is likely that you will receive criminal charges.
White-Collar Crimes
Several crimes fall within this class, all of them nonviolent in nature. In general, white-collar crimes are those that involve deceit or the intent to defraud, which is what distinguishes them from other types of crimes. Actions such as bribery, embezzlement, extortion, forgery, money laundering, and perjury are common white-collar offenses.
White-collar crimes typically affect a person’s livelihood and can thus affect your future working in your chosen career field. Protecting your own livelihood with professional representation is your best course of action. With a criminal defense attorney, you stand the best chance to protect your reputation and your liberty.
Juvenile Crimes
Criminal charges are stressful for not only the juvenile in question but also their household. Juveniles are treated differently by the law than their adult counterparts, and as such, it is of utmost importance to find a lawyer experienced in these sorts of crimes.
Most cases with juveniles ages 7 to 15 are tried in juvenile court. However, certain types of crime carry with them the potential for juveniles to be tried as adults. This is most common with violent crimes, and many issues are considered before the court arrives at the decision, including the severity of the crime, the defendant’s age, and the defendant’s past record. A criminal defense attorney is essential to prevent juveniles from exposure to adult criminal court and to avoid the most serious penalties.
Appeals
After you have been convicted of a crime, you may have the opportunity to appeal. In these situations, you will require a skilled attorney to file your appeal and briefing, as well as review the previous investigation and trial. While appeal proceedings can be lengthy, our lawyers can help you successfully appeal your conviction.
Contact Williams Stone, PC Today
Our expert criminal law attorneys possess the incredible knowledge and skill that comes with over 50 years of experience. We understand the significance of every criminal case we handle and reply to each legal request in a timely manner to get you the answers you need. If you have been charged with a criminal offense, we are here to defend and support you throughout your criminal proceedings. We are proud to serve the residents of Virginia, including Stafford, Quantico, Manassas, and the surrounding areas. Contact our firm today to schedule a consultation.
