Understanding Virginia Criminal Law

Virginia law classifies all crimes into two distinct categories: misdemeanors and felonies. Depending on which class of crime you find yourself charged with, you’ll be facing different severities of consequences if convicted. While the outcomes of your case will depend entirely on specific details of what you’ve been charged with, there are some general guidelines that typically hold true across the board. 

Misdemeanors

While misdemeanors are considered to be the less serious class of crime, that doesn’t mean they don’t carry serious, life-altering consequences. If you’re found guilty of the crime you’ve been accused of, you could be facing jail time of up to one year and/or a fine of up to $2,500 – even if it’s your first offense. While there are many crimes that fall into this category, the most often seen are simple assault, driving under the influence (DUI), driving while intoxicated (DWI), disorderly conduct and trespassing. Our firm can help you with your DUI or DWI charges in Virginia.

Felonies

Felonies are considered the more serious class crimes. There are different sub-classes of felonies that further break down the severity of the offense, but for now we’ll keep it simple with felonies as a whole – again, these are just overall guidelines. For specific information and a free consultation, you should contact our legal team. 

Felony crimes carry heavier penalties including more than a year in jail, and fines exceeding $2,500 for a first offense, if convicted.The common felonies that Virginia sees include murder, rape, robbery, drug trafficking and weapons-related offenses. Our skilled defense attorneys specialize in gun crime and drug crime cases.

The Role of a Virginia Criminal Defense Attorney

If you’ve found yourself charged with any type of crime in the state of Virginia, here’s why you should reach out to Korslund Law:

Protection of Your Rights: With years of expertise, and proudly touting the title of one of the most sought after attorney’s in the region, Korslund can ensure that your constitutional rights are not violated by the prosecution. This will help to ensure that you are treated fairly by the justice system throughout the entire process.

Case Investigation: Flaws can be found in the prosecution’s case against you with a thorough investigation. If there were any missteps by law enforcement, the arresting officer or the handling of any evidence against you, it may be enough to turn the tides in your favor. Having a lawyer that understands where to look and how to guide you through this investigation process will serve you best in the long run. 

Negotiation with Prosecutors: A skilled attorney will also know how to negotiate with the prosecutors on your behalf. Successful negotiation can result in reduced charges, lower fines or penalties, lesser sentences or even having the charges dropped altogether. 

Courtroom Defense: On top of protecting your constitutional rights throughout the process, our criminal defense attorney’s can also protect you in the courtroom. They can present evidence, cross-examine witnesses and argue on your behalf to ensure the best outcome in your favor. 

Choosing the Right Criminal Defense Attorney near Virginia Beach

You’ll particularly want to ensure that the attorney you choose to defend you has handled similar cases, and have had favorable outcomes in the past. Look for an attorney with a proven track record in criminal defense and a strong reputation in the legal community (lucky for you – you already found us.) Testimonials and client satisfaction are a great place to see if you’ve found the right spot. Feel free to check ours out any time.

Communication is vital in any attorney-client relationship. Eric Korslund, founder of Korslund Law, is a prime example of such an attorney. As one of the most sought-after criminal defense lawyers in the state, he has handled many of Virginia’s most notorious murder trials and criminal cases, and his client testimonials speak volumes to his character and his ability to provide sound defenses. 

Lastly, ensure that your chosen attorney is in good standing with the Virginia State Bar. This guarantees that they adhere to the professional and ethical standards set by the legal profession and can offer you the highest level of service during your stint in the legal system. By checking their standing with the state bar, you can guarantee you’re getting the highest quality Virginia Criminal Defense Attorney.