Fairfax Felony Attorney

Understanding Virgnia’s Felony Laws

The most serious crimes are classified as felonies. In Virginia, a felony conviction could result in long periods of incarceration or the death penalty. When the stakes are this high, you need knowledgeable and dedicated legal representation. At The Law Office of Ann Thayer, PLLC, our Fairfax lawyer represents individuals facing various felony charge. When you retain our services, we’ll fight hard, working toward a favorable outcome in your case.

Ready to speak with our experienced attorney? Call us at (703) 940-0001 today for felony or misdemeanor defenses. We also serve clients in Arlington, Prince William, Loudoun, and Alexandria.

What are Virginia’s Felony Classifications?

The Commonwealth of Virginia has 6 classes of felonies that are based on the seriousness of the offense. Class 1 felonies are the most serious, and Class 6 felonies are considered the least severe. The penalties for conviction depend on the category of the offense, past convictions, and other factors.

The classes of felonies in Virginia include:

• Class 1: The most serious offenses, such as murder, are punishable by death, up to life in prison, and a fine of up to $100,000
• Class 2: Intentional offenses that cause harm or permanent physical impairment, such as kidnapping, burglary with a deadly weapon, or aggravated malicious wounding, are grouped in this class, and penalties include at least 20 years in prison or a life sentence and up to $100,000 in fines
• Class 3: Crimes such as shooting, stabbing, malicious wounding, and some drug crimes may carry a prison sentence of up to 20 years and fines of up to $100,000
• Class 4: Examples include arson, kidnapping, embezzlement, and manslaughter, and a conviction can result in 2 to 10 years in prison and fines up to $100,000
• Class 5: Offenses in this category include involuntary manslaughter and extortion, which may carry a penalty of up to 10 years in prison and fines of up to $2,500
• Class 6: Reckless endangerment, animal cruelty, and other crimes in this category carry penalties of up to 5 years in prison and up to $2,500 in fines

What are the Penalties for a Felony Conviction?

The consequences of a felony conviction can impact your life long after you have served your time in prison. People with felony convictions frequently find it difficult, or even impossible, to find a job, maintain professional licenses, or pursue their educational and career goals. Depending on the type of felony, they may also experience difficulty when looking for a place to life.

Certain felony convictions carry other legal requirements. For example, people convicted of sex crimes may be required to register as a sex offender. Individuals could also lose certain important rights and privileges, such as restrictions on voting rights, ownership or possession of a firearm, holding professional licenses, securing scholarships and public benefits, and serving on a jury.

The Law Office of Ann Thayer, PLLC Felony Legal Counsel

Any felony conviction is serious and puts you at risk of serious criminal penalties and many other consequences. To increase the chances of a favorable result in your case and minimize the potential punishments of being found guilty, discuss your circumstances with a skilled lawyer in Fairfax.

If you or a loved one was arrested and charged with a felony, hesitating to secure legal representation could prove costly. It is best to speak with an attorney before you answer questions or give a statement to the police to make sure your rights are protected and you don’t do anything to harm your defense. Our Fairfax criminal defense lawyer offers a free initial consultation by phone or in person.

We are available to answer your call 24/7. Get in touch with us today at (703) 940-0001 or online to discuss your case.