At SRIS, P.C., our Virginia criminal and Virginia sex offense lawyers have solid experience defending the rights of clients suspected of criminal activity as well as those arrested and formally charged with Virginia felony and Virginia misdemeanor crimes. We also have experience handling arraignments, preliminary hearings, suppression motions, jury trials and post-trial proceedings.

The Virginia criminal attorneys at SRIS, P.C., give our clients prompt, personal service with experienced, qualified attorneys. We give you the attention you expect and deserve.

For more information or to make an appointment with SRIS, P.C., please call or complete the on-line form.

Criminal Defense - An Overview

Criminal law deals with "public" wrongs as opposed to disputes between individuals. Governmental bodies, including the federal government, states, and cities, define and prosecute crimes from traffic violations to felonies like rape and murder. The lawyers who represent the governmental bodies in pursuing charges against an individual are called the prosecutors. The lawyers who represent the persons charged with a crime, or the defendants, are called criminal defense attorneys. If you have been charged with a crime, it is essential that you seek legal counsel from an experienced criminal defense attorney at once so that you can preserve your rights and protect your future.

Criminal Defense of Misdemeanors in Virginia

Misdemeanors are less serious crimes, generally punishable by a fine or incarceration in the county jail for less than one year. The prosecutor does not usually convene a grand jury to investigate and charge misdemeanor offenses, although such charges can be generated along with felonies. Most misdemeanors are charged by a written indictment or "information" and, in some jurisdictions, poor defendants are not entitled to a court-appointed lawyer in misdemeanor cases. Nonetheless, a misdemeanor charge-let alone a conviction-can wreak havoc in the accused's personal life and thus zealous legal representation is critical in misdemeanor cases as in all criminal cases. It's still critical for an accused to seek help from an experienced criminal defense attorney.

Criminal Defense of Felonies in Virginia

Felonies in Virginia are typically the most serious crimes in any system of criminal law. A standard definition of a felony is any crime punishable by more than one year in prison or by death. This means that any crime that has a sentence of only a fine or confinement in the local jail for a short period of time is not a felony. Often the offense itself is not labeled as a felony, but the punishment tells the public that the offense is a felony. On the other hand, state codes may label a crime a "gross" or "aggravated" misdemeanor but provide for a sentence of more than one year in the state penitentiary system, thereby ensuring that the so-called misdemeanor is treated as a felony in many respects. The more serious the crime, the more urgent the immediate need for an experienced criminal defense attorney to guide the accused through the criminal justice process.

Examples of felonies in Virginiainclude assault in the first degree or assault that causes serious bodily injury, all degrees of murder, rape or sexual abuse in the first degree, grand theft, kidnapping, embezzlement of large amounts of money, serious drug crimes, and racketeering.

What to Do if You Are Falsely Accused of a Crime in Virginia?

Believe it or not, many people who are convicted of a crime and end up in prison were falsely accused. Although the American criminal justice system works in most cases, not all juries get things right, and the consequences can be tragic. An innocent party pays the price for something he or she did not do, while the guilty party roams free. The best way to avoid such an unjust result and ensure the proper outcome when faced with criminal accusations is to immediately seek counsel from the best criminal defense attorneys available. Skilled and knowledgeable criminal defense lawyers know their way around the criminal justice system and can navigate through the complex procedures to ensure the fairest possible conclusion.

If you need criminal defense lawyer in Virginia in any of the following jurisdictions, please do not hesitate to contact us. 

Manassas City, Fairfax City, City of Manassas Park, Town of Dumfries, Town of Haymarket, Alexandria City, Falls Church City, Town of Herndon, Town of Vienna, Dale City, Woodbridge, Mclean, Centreville, Chantilly, Leesburg, Warrenton, Alexandria City, Amisville, Ashburn, Baileys Crossroads, Catlett, Centreville, Chantilly, Dulles, Dunn Loring, Falls Church, Dale City, Dumfries, Franconia, Fredericksburg, Ft. Myer, Great Falls, Greenway, Gainesville, Haymarket, Herndon, Independent Hill, Leesburg, Lincolnia, Lorton, Manassas, Manassas Park, Mc Lean, Merrifield, Montclair, Oakton, Occoquan, Pimmit Hills, Potomac, Reston, Seven Corners, Springfield, Stafford, Sterling, Triangle, Vienna, Warrenton, Woodbridge.   Amelia County, Arlington County, Caroline County, Chesterfield County,  Culpeper County, Cumberland County , Fairfax County , Fauquier County,  Goochland County, Hanover County, Isle of Wight County , James City,  King and Queen County,  King William County, Loudoun County,  New Kent County,  Powhatan County,  Prince William County,  Richmond County, Henrico County, Southampton County; Spotsylvania County, Virginia; Stafford County, Surry County, Sussex County, Warren County, York County, Alexandria city, Bristol city, Virginia; Chesapeake city, Fairfax city, Falls Church City, Fredericksburg City, Hampton City, Newport News City, Norfolk City, Petersburg City, Poquoson City, Portsmouth City, Richmond City, Staunton City, Suffolk City, Virginia Beach City.