Criminal Lawyer Fairfax VA
If you’ve been arrested for a criminal offense, look for an expert criminal lawyer in Fairfax, VA, like Jay P. Mykytiuk of Scrofano Law, PC. for help.
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Hiring a Criminal Lawyer Fairfax VA when Dealing with Criminal Matters
Even people who consider themselves law-abiding citizens may require an experienced criminal defense lawyer in Fairfax, VA, at some point. Life takes strange twists and turns, and if something happens on your property or is done by a friend or loved one, you may be liable. Even if you do not think you committed a crime, if you assist in any way, you can be charged as an “accomplice” or “accessory.”
Virginia criminal law is distinct from other states. The high court is separated into the General District Court (GDC) and Circuit Court. Plus, there are separate phases to the trial: determining guilt and sentencing. For the best chance of success, you’ll need criminal defense lawyers experienced with Fairfax County and Northern Virginia law.
A Fairfax Criminal Lawyer with connections in Virginia state and federal courts, like Jay P. Mykytiuk of Scrofano Law, the criminal defense law firm, can plan your defense and represent you in court. Reach out and schedule a free initial consultation to discuss your case.
Best Fairfax Criminal Lawyers for Criminal Litigation
The best Fairfax criminal defense attorneys have the knowledge to provide the necessary information and represent you in court. A Virginia criminal defense attorney, for example, will defend a misdemeanor in the GDC. Retain an experienced attorney from a Northern Virginia law firm for optimal representation.
So, when you are being charged with a crime, it is best to consult with experienced criminal defense attorneys for guidance and hire one to represent your case in court. Your attorney will check and verify each fact of your case, create a DUI defense strategy depending on the facts and help you get free from your charges.
However, it is necessary that you check the law school, practice law areas, expertise, and how many criminal cases they have handled in the court system. At Scrofano Law office, our criminal attorneys have enough experience to provide you with legal advice, guide you about the legal process and help you protect your rights in court. Our super lawyers have represented many cases in the Fairfax County courts, including sex crimes, domestic violence, violent crimes, felony charges, as well as white-collar crime.
Misdemeanor Criminal Defense Lawyers
In Virginia, misdemeanors are punishable with six to twelve months in jail or a fine of $250 to $2,500. Some of the most common offenses are:
- Drug possession
- DUI first offense
- Minor assault
- Prostitution and indecent exposure
- Reckless driving
- Shoplifting and petty theft
- Traffic offenses
Misdemeanor trials are held in the GDC before a judge. For these hearings, it is vital to retain a criminal lawyer. If you are dissatisfied with the results, you can appeal to the Circuit Court.
If you face criminal traffic violations, you want a law firm that has attorneys, including a DUI lawyer VA and a traffic lawyer VA. If your DUI was drug-related, you should retain a marijuana DUI lawyer in Washington, D.C., to fight criminal charges.
DUI Cases in Fairfax County
DUI offenses are treated very seriously in Virginia. That is why you need proper criminal representation if you are pulled over by a police officer, arrested, and facing DUI charges.
The penalties you may face depend on the number of prior DUI convictions as well as on the fact of how much alcohol you had in your system at the time of the arrest. However, penalties can be even greater if you refuse a blood or breath test pursuant to Virginia’s implied consent law.
Regardless of the fact that a second DUI is a misdemeanor, the same as a first DUI offense, second offenses carry significantly harsher penalties, including mandatory jail time and driver’s license suspension.
And although in some states, you can take certain steps to get your criminal record cleared after a first-offense DUI, that is not the case in Virginia. Eligibility for expungement is very limited and available only to those individuals whose DUI charges were dropped, if DUI cases were dismissed or if they were found not guilty.
As you can see, the stakes are high after DUI offenses in Virginia, so having a knowledgeable Fairfax DUI lawyer on your side is crucial if you want to achieve the best possible outcome.
Why Do You Need a Criminal Defense Lawyer?
When you are being charged with a crime, attending a court hearing without prior preparations could lead your case to a bitter end. In most cases, individuals who are unaware of their rights, case technicalities, legal formalities, and court procedures end up losing their case, money, and reputation.
This is why a better course of action in many cases is to consult and seek legal advice from an experienced criminal defense attorney with a better understanding of Fairfax criminal defense law.
Here are some concrete reasons why you need legal counsel and the assistance of a criminal defense lawyer.
- Your attorney will help you understand your case, its facts, possible legal options, and the judicial law about your charges.
- Once start proceedings, your attorney will help and guide you about how the court system, formalities, and other things work.
- Your lawyer will also prepare a defense strategy to represent you in the court even before setting his foot in the courtroom.
- An experienced defense lawyer having positive connections with prosecutors can help you bring a better outcome to your case. Their relationship will help you in negotiating a better plea deal if needed.
- In criminal defense cases, evidence holds a huge meaning and importance. Working with an experienced attorney will help you in catching the solid evidence, dealing with witnesses, and preparing a counter-strategy for the prosecutor’s claims.
- Though hiring an attorney seems costly, it can actually save your time, money, and energy in a criminal defense case. The overall cost depends on several factors, including your charges, case’s complexities, attorney’s expertise, and experience.
Working with a lawyer would help you in several ways, including preserving your rights and reputation in the court system by preparing a defense strategy and providing legal counsel.
Criminal Lawyers Fairfax VA: Felony Defense
Criminal lawyers in Virginia provide defense for felony prosecutions in the Circuit Court. You will be called to the GDC for a preliminary hearing, but the arraignment and trial occur at the Circuit Court. For these events, you’ll need a tough criminal defense attorney.
Felony Criminal Defense Lawyers
In Northern Virginia, felony criminal defense lawyers manage cases where penalties include fines of $2,500 to $100,000, a prison sentence of one year to live, or even the death penalty. These offenses include:
- DUI third offense
- Federal sex crimes
- Homicide
- Rape
- Selling or trafficking controlled substances
- Vehicular manslaughter
Your felony is prosecuted in the state’s Circuit Court, and you can request jury trials. For a serious charge like a third DUI, an experienced criminal attorney can help. The Virginia attorney will help you right from the beginning of the law enforcement till the end of your case representation in the district court or supreme court.
However, finding the right criminal defense attorney for your unique legal situation may seem overwhelming. Whether you are facing charges for a misdemeanor offense, a DUI, or a felony, criminal cases should never be taken lightly. Criminal charges, if proven by the prosecution, can result in criminal convictions.
Criminal convictions can carry serious consequences, including harsh fines, jail time, loss of employment, changes to custodial and marital agreements, and much more.
Although some convictions could be restricted from public view, avoiding them would be the best choice altogether. If you want to achieve that, you’ll need skilled legal representation from a Fairfax, VA, criminal defense lawyer.
Working with Fairfax Criminal Defense Lawyers
Many criminal offenses, including certain sex offenses, driving, and drug offenses, may have a federal charge associated with them.
For example, if an individual was pulled over for reckless driving, and that occurred on federal property, that individual would face a reckless driving charge because of the violation of the Virginia law. However, she or he would also face federal charges.
Federal crimes are considered among the most serious offenses in state and federal courts. Government agencies prosecute federal offenses, which can carry penalties far more severe than those imposed by the state court.
Regardless of what criminal charge you may be facing, make sure you retain the legal services of skilled Fairfax criminal defense attorneys who have the necessary skills and knowledge to handle your case. Choose wisely because your Virginia criminal attorneys will be the ones protecting your rights in dealing with the criminal justice system.
Get Help from a Criminal Defense DUI Attorney
For cases that reach the Circuit Court, any prior crimes and explanations or reasoning for the punishment are heard at the sentencing. The jury takes this information into consideration as they make their decision. Although the judge can disregard the jury’s recommendations, he/she cannot enact stricter penalties.
The prosecutor’s office and police officers will do anything they can to prove their cases. At the same time, the prosecutor bears the burden of proof, and they have to determine that the crime was committed beyond a reasonable doubt.
Dealing with the legal system can be terrifying, whether you got a traffic ticket or you are charged with a criminal misdemeanor or felony offense. If you are facing a criminal case in the Northern Virginia area, it is best to seek legal advice from an expert and retain an experienced trial attorney from a reputable law firm to provide the best defense. It’s best to get started building your defense early, but even at the sentencing stage, an attorney may be able to help. Contact Scrofano Law today for a confidential case assessment and free consultation.
Our experienced Virginia criminal lawyer serves all around Virginia and nearby areas, including Falls Church, Arlington County, Stafford County, Loudoun County, and Prince William County.
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Gretchen has all the skills to get the job done - former prosecutor, serious jury trial experience, and compassion and skill for days. I would not hesitate to hire her as my lawyer.
If I could give her 100 stars I would. I put my complete trust in her, and she did not let me down. Her results exceeded my expectations. You need this woman on your side if you ever find yourself in trouble.
10 years ago, Gretchen Taylor saved my life. I was facing a serious, felony drug charge that was based on nothing besides the text messages of a former friend and other hearsay. I was 19 at the time, uneducated and uninformed of my rights, and terrified at what was unfolding.
I secured the services of an attorney who proved to be utterly useless, barely lifted a finger for my case, and encouraged me to cooperate with FCPD to ensnare some other equally young and dumb target into similar charges.
Gretchen immediately realized that my previous attorney had never even filed a motion for discovery (so that he could see what evidence the state held against me), which baffled her.
Adding to her surprise more was that there was quite literally nothing in the discovery file — the state had no physical evidence against me and used my ignorance of the system against me, hoping to coerce a confession from me and helping them with an investigation that was very far removed from my current lifestyle.
After being in court with my old lawyer, over 3 times and having the case continued for almost 2 years, I was not expecting the outcome Gretchen Taylor was able to produce for me in our very first court date together.
She asked for the case to be dismissed against me, due to the lack of evidence she found in her motion for discovery. The judge agreed, and a nolle plead was entered; the charges were essentially dropped.
Gretchen is an honorable, ethical and kind woman who drastically altered the course of my life by simply doing her job. I would recommend her as an attorney, especially those who have cases in Fairfax County.