Fredericksburg Criminal Lawyer
If you are facing criminal charges in Fredericksburg, it is beneficial to have experienced counsel helping you with your case. There are particularities to any jurisdiction that will make any case more difficult to handle properly for someone who does not have experience in that area. Local knowledge of prosecutors, judges, and police plays a significant role in the ultimate outcome of the case, and so it is very important to have an experienced Fredericksburg criminal attorney who has local knowledge and experience.
Misdemeanors and Felonies
A misdemeanor is a charge for which the maximum punishment allowable by law is one year in jail. A felony is a charge for which the allowable punishment may exceed one year in jail.
Felony cases usually involve elements not generally present in misdemeanor cases and are taken more seriously than a misdemeanor case. For example, the difference between a misdemeanor larceny and a felony larceny is the value of the property taken; a larger amount triggers a more serious charge.
Felony Consequences
Felonies are treated differently than misdemeanors in Fredericksburg. A felony is a much more serious charge and can come with more jail time and a host of other consequences, including the loss of a person’s civil rights, such as the right to vote, the right to hold public office, or the right to carry a firearm.
Additionally, felonies usually involve more serious behavior that is more damaging to victims in the community. Even non-violent felonies are treated more severely than are violent misdemeanors in some cases, as prosecutors take felony cases much more seriously and place more time and effort into working towards a successful prosecution. A Fredericksburg criminal lawyer can be of great assistance when navigating the complexities and severity of a felony or misdemeanor charge.
Ordinances
Most localities have particular ordinances to which individuals in those localities are subject, and the city of Fredericksburg is no exception. It does have city ordinances that are sometimes different from the surrounding cities or counties and can come into play in criminal cases, which makes it important to have a skilled criminal attorney in Fredericksburg who is familiar with the ordinances.
Long-term Consequences
The most significant long-term consequence of a misdemeanor conviction is that it will likely appear on an individual’s criminal record permanently. This might impact the individual’s ability to get into school, secure financial aid, gain future employment, or continue to work. In this way, even misdemeanor charges can have a wide range of consequences.
Contacting a Fredericksburg Criminal Attorney
Under the Sixth Amendment to the United States Constitution, every citizen is guaranteed the right to counsel. This is an important privilege that the government is not allowed to ask or comment at trial about whether or when the defendant reached out to counsel.
If you are facing criminal charges in Fredericksburg, you must understand such charges are going to be treated very seriously and you will want assistance to help balance the scales for the best outcome in your case.
It is important that you contact an attorney as soon as possible as there are proactive steps an attorney can help you in the case and for which time is often of the essence. There are a number of common mistakes people make, and involving a dedicated Fredericksburg criminal attorney early can help in the mitigation or prevention of such errors.