If you are facing an accusation or criminal charge in Virginia, there is no time to lose to start your defense. Turn to Portner & Shure, P.A. and our Richmond criminal defense attorneys as soon as you can. We will fight vigilantly to protect your future, freedom, and finances from the unfair sentencing that judges in Virginia often like to slam onto any conviction.
For a free consultation with our Richmond Criminal Law firm, dial (410) 995-1515 now.
Virginia Courts That Handle Criminal Cases
There are two trial courts in Virginia:
- The General District Court
- The Circuit Court
General District Court
Misdemeanor cases are adjudicated in the General District Court before a judge only. There are no jury trials in the General District Court, so being able to create a convincing case that will appeal to the judge’s expectations is crucial. If a misdemeanor case ends with a conviction, the maximum jail sentence will be one year.
Circuit Court
Jury trials are held in Circuit Court. Felony cases and de novo appeals from the General District Court are heard in Circuit Court. If your case goes to this court, then you will need an attorney who knows how to study and work with local jurors. A felony conviction reached in this court can penalize you with at least one year and one day in prison, but the total incarceration time can be much longer.
Criminal Charges Are Not Convictions
When you are charged with a crime, you have not already been convicted. Likewise, being arrested for a crime is not the same as being charged. Police officers and prosecutors often try to manipulate criminal suspects into thinking they have already been found “guilty” and coerce them into waiving their rights, including their right to a fair trial. In such a trial, the Commonwealth must prove their guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. The defendant does not need to prove their innocence as it is presumed from the beginning.
Do not let yourself be intimidated by law enforcement officers who try to benefit the prosecution, despite this not being a part of their job. Do not let a prosecutor trick you into admitting guilt when they know you are owed representation from an attorney before you have to talk to them. Consult with our Richmond, Virginia criminal defense lawyers before you do anything else.
Mistakes to Avoid in Your Criminal Defense Case
If you have been accused of or charged with a crime, there are several common mistakes you should avoid:
- Never speak with police or prosecutors without an attorney.
- Never consent to a search.
- Never speak with a complaining victim or witness.
Police officers and prosecutors are not your friends. Do not make their job easier by voluntarily waiving your rights. Even if you are confident you are entirely innocent of committing any crimes, the opposition will be happy to convict you and put you behind bars. Stand up for yourself, your rights, and everyone else in a position like yours by insisting on a fair due process and the steadfast defense of our team.
Services We Offer Our Criminal Defense Clients
If you have been charged with a crime, it is already time to talk to our Richmond criminal defense lawyers from Portner & Shure, P.A. We know that your future depends on a successful outcome, so we will take your defense seriously and as if we were representing ourselves.
Criminal defense case types we can handle include but are not limited to:
Our professional staff speaks several languages including English, Spanish, Chinese (Mandarin and Cantonese), Vietnamese, and Korean. We proudly protect the rights of people from all walks of life, backgrounds, and communities!
