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Common Criminal Charges in Manassas

The following is important information you should know about the most common criminal charges in Manassas and how an experienced attorney can help you. To begin planning a defense for your case, call and schedule a consultation with a Manassas criminal defense attorney today.

Criminal Offenses in Manassas

There are several categories of common criminal charges often seen in Manassas.  First, drug charges like possession of marijuana or possession with intent to distribute marijuana, or even possession of a schedule one or schedule two drugs are very common. Second, alcohol crimes are also quite common. This includes charges such as Driving Under the Influence (“DUIs”), public drunkenness, and underage alcohol possession. The third category of common criminal charges involves violent crimes.  This includes charges like assault and battery, assault and battery on family members, or malicious wounding.

These types of crimes are more common than others because the underlying illegal activities that result in the specific crimes are common to human behavior. Drug and alcohol use, for example, are extremely common. Individuals also tend to find themselves in situations where there is a high degree of conflict and someone loses their cool. These are all common human tendencies that result in criminal activity.

How Might An Innocent Individual Be Implicated in These Crimes?

In drug cases, innocent individuals may be implicated simply by being nearby drugs that may not necessarily be theirs. For example, an individual may be pulled over for a traffic stop and an officer or drug dog may be alerted to the presence of marijuana that may have been left in the vehicle by a friend or family member that the driver is unaware of. Simply being in close proximity to drugs may result in a possession charge.

There may also be instances where innocent individuals are charged with a DUI. Individuals who are not actually legally impaired may appear to be so due to certain medications they may be taking, medical conditions they suffer from, or some other circumstance that is not in fact intoxication.

Innocent individuals may also be wrongly charged with committing violent crimes if the charges revolve around one person’s unfounded accusations that they were battered or attacked by the accused.

Difference Between Misdemeanors and Felonies

A misdemeanor is a crime that is punishable by no more than 12 months in jail. Examples of some types of misdemeanors include possession of marijuana, DUIs, assault and battery, fire arm charges such as reckless handling, as well as things like solicitation or prostitution.

A felony is a crime that is punishable by more than a year in jail. A felony is more serious and encompass a larger group of crimes than does a misdemeanor.  Examples of serious felonies include homicide, malicious wounding, or rape.  Other felonies can arise from more common charges such as a third DUI, drug crimes, such as possession of a Schedule 1 or 2 controlled substance, or a larceny involving as little as $200.

How An Attorney Can Help

Retaining a lawyer is invaluable in all of these common criminal charges because while these common kinds of cases have common ways in which they are prosecuted, every case is unique in terms of how best to defend it.  An experienced attorney is familiar with the common ways in which police attempt to collect evidence and the common tactics prosecutors use in to prove their case.  An experienced attorney will know from the beginning what steps can be taken proactively to assist an individual charged with these types of cases.

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