Criminal Defense

Virginia criminal defense attorney Jean Humbrecht handles a variety of criminal charges in Virginia. Common offenses in Virginia include alcohol offenses, property crimes, theft crimes, violent crimes, weapons offenses, traffic offenses, drug crimes, and obstruction of justice, among others. These crimes can be charged as misdemeanors or felonies.  Even misdemeanor criminal charges in Virginia can have serious and permanent consequences.  It is important to contact an experienced Virginia criminal defense attorney as soon as possible to discuss your case and possible defenses.

Alcohol Offensescriminal charges in Virginia

It is important to contact an experienced Virginia criminal defense attorney if you have received a Virginia alcohol charge.  Even misdemeanor convictions for these types of offenses can have serious impacts on future job and educational opportunities.  Examples of alcohol offenses in Virginia include drunk in public and underage possession of alcohol.

Property Crimes

Property crimes in Virginia include trespass, destruction of property, arson, and burglary.  Virginia criminal defense attorney Jean Humbrecht defends all Virginia property crimes.  The most common are listed below.

  • Trespass charges in Virginia generally result from remaining on property after being told to leave.  They also can result from proper signs on the property forbidding trespassing.  Virginia trespass charges are Class 1 misdemeanors under Va. Code §18.2-119.  Click here for more information on Virginia trespass charges.
  • A Virginia destruction of property charge can be a misdemeanor or a felony.  If the damage to the property is less than $1000 the crime is a Class 1 misdemeanor under Va. Code §18.2-137.  If the damage was more than $1000, it becomes a Class 6 felony.  For more information on Virginia Destruction of Property charges, click here.
  • Arson charges in Virginia are felonies.  The main arson statute is Va. Code §18.2-77, which criminalizes burning a dwelling house.  This charge is punished by up to life in prison and a fine up to $100,000.  For more information on arson charges in Virginia, click here.
  • Burglary in Virginia is the breaking and entering of the dwelling house of another at night with the intent to commit a larceny or felony inside the dwelling.  Burglary is punished with 5-20 years in prison and a fine up to $100,000.  For more information on burglary charges in Virginia, click here.
Theft Crimes

Theft charges in Virginia need to be taken seriously.  Job opportunities can be lost with even one simple theft conviction.  It is important to contact an experienced Virginia criminal defense attorney immediately to discuss your case and prepare a defense.  

Virginia theft crimes include larceny, embezzlement, credit card offenses, burglary, robbery, and receiving stolen property.  

  • Larceny in Virginia can be charged as petty larceny or grand larceny.
    • Va. Code §18.2-96 makes it a Class 1 misdemeanor to take property from another valued up to $200.  Click here for more information on Virginia petty larceny charges.
    • Grand Larceny in Virginia covers property valued at more than $200.  It is punished by imprisonment from 1-20 years.  For more information on grand larceny charges in Virginia, click here.
  • Embezzlement charges in Virginia can be misdemeanors or felonies under Va. Code §18.2-111.
  • Virginia credit card offenses include credit card theft, credit card fraud, and credit card forgery.
    • Credit Card Theft in Virginia is a felony under Va. Code §18.2-192.  It can be punished with 1-20 years in prison.
    • Credit Card Fraud is a misdemeanor if the value of goods furnished as a result of the fraud was less than $200.  If the value exceeded $200 he will be charged with a felony.
    • Credit Card Forgery in Virginia is a felony.  It is punished with up to 1-10 years in prison.
  • Burglary in Virginia is the breaking and entering of the dwelling house of another at night time with the intent to commit a larceny or felony.  Virginia burglary charges are punished with 5-20 years in prison and a fine up to $100,000.
  • Receiving stolen property in Virginia is considered larceny of that property.  The offender faces the same punishment as if he actually stole the property.  He will be charged with a Class 1 misdemeanor if the property was valued at less than $200.  If the property was worth more than $200, he will be charged with a felony.  For more information on this charge, click here.

Theft crimes in Virginia can be punished with up to life in prison in some instances.  It is important to contact a Virginia criminal defense attorney immediately to discuss your Virginia theft charge.

Violent Crimes

Violent crimes in Virginia include assault and battery, domestic assault, malicious wounding, and robbery.  If you have been charged with a violent crime in Virginia, you should contact an experienced Virginia criminal defense attorney as soon as possible.

  • Assault charges in Virginia can result from an attempted battery or putting someone in fear of a battery.  A battery in Virginia is any unwanted or offensive touching.  Assault and battery charges are generally Class 1 misdemeanors.  For more information on assault and battery charges in Virginia, click here.
  • Domestic assault charges in Virginia contain the same elements of proof for assault charges.  The difference is that domestic assault charges can be brought against anyone who commits an assault against a household or family member.  A “family or household member” for purposes of Virginia’s domestic assault charge is defines in Va. Code §16.1-228.
  • An offender can be charged with malicious wounding in Virginia if he commits an assault with the intent to maim disable disfigure, or kill the other person.  Malicious wounding in Virginia is punished with 5-20 years in prison and/or a fine up to $100,000.  Va. Code §18.2-51 makes Virginia malicious wounding charges Class 3 Felonies.
  • Robbery in Virginia is the taking of property from another person by violence or intimidation.  Robbery charges in Virginia are punished with 5 years to life in prison.  For more information on Virginia robbery charges, click here.

For more information on these and other violent crimes in Virginia, click here.

Traffic Offenses

Virginia criminal defense attorney Jean Humbrecht defends all Virginia criminal traffic offenses.  These include reckless drivinghit and run, eluding police, DUI, and driving on a suspended license.  For more information on these crimes and their penalties, click here.  

Drug Offenses

Drug offenses include possession, distribution, sale/manufacture, and possession of drug paraphernalia.  A Fairfax criminal defense attorney experienced in defending drug offenses can help you to get the best possible result for your drug charge.  Click here for more information on these offenses.

Obstructing Justice Offenses
  • Obstruction of Justice refers to interfering with the performance of the duties of those working in the criminal justice system.  Virginia Obstruction of Justice charges are generally Class 1 misdemeanors under Va. Code §18.2-460.  A Virginia criminal defense attorney can prepare the best possible defense if you are charged with any of the Virginia obstruction of justice offenses.
  • Resisting arrest is criminalized under Va. Code §18.2-479.1.  If someone attempts to prevent a police officer from arresting him while that officer is making a lawful arrest, he an receive this charge.    It is punished with up to 12 months in jail and/or a fine up to $2500.
Consequences of Criminal Charges in Virginia

A Virginia misdemeanor conviction could result in jail time up to one year and a fine of up to $2500.  A felony conviction could result in a prison sentence over a year, in addition to large fines and probation. Probation could require classes, random drug testing, and additional fines and costs. 

Even a misdemeanor can have serious consequences.   Current and future employment, educational opportunities, security clearances, and immigration status can all be impacted by a criminal conviction.  Additionally, criminal convictions cannot be expunged in Virginia.

An experienced Virginia criminal defense attorney can prepare you for the possible outcomes of your criminal charge.

Virginia Criminal Defense Attorney Jean Humbrecht

Virginia criminal defense attorney Jean Humbrecht represents both adults and juveniles with Virginia criminal charges throughout Northern Virginia.  Call today for your consultation.