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Richmond Criminal Defense Lawyer

Whether or not you have previously appeared in court for a criminal allegation, being charged with a crime is an immensely stressful experience. Even misdemeanor convictions can have serious repercussions in your personal and professional life, and any felony offense could land you in prison if you are dealt a guilty verdict.

If you want to effectively defend your rights and contest the accusations, you will need help from an experienced attorney. Once retained, a qualified Richmond criminal defense lawyer could help you understand the specific charges you are facing, work to collect evidence supporting your argument, and relentlessly pursue a favorable end result on your behalf.

Client Testimonials

Highly Recommend Her

★★★★★

Karin was very professional and helpful with my situation. I located her via the internet and was connected to her.…

Wonderful

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Ms. Karin Riley Porter was wonderful! She has such an amazing team, they are all very friendly. The moment I…

Great Eperience

★★★★★

I had a great experience after hiring Karin. After receiving a DWI charge in the Fairfax area, I was extremely…

Happy and Satisfied

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I got myself in a pickle and even though I did not completely fulfill some of my duties and things…

World Class Service

★★★★★

Karin demonstrates competence and the general litigation know-how in dealing with opposing attorneys. Karin fosters flexibility and interpersonal leadership during…

Able And Professional

★★★★★

Karin Porter represented me in a motor vehicle incident in Fairfax, Va. Not only was she very able and professional,…

Straight Up Guy!

★★★★★

Straight up guy! He'll explain whats going to happen THEN start working on rebuilding it! My life has truly changed…

Smooth, Professional, and Pleasant

★★★★★

Steve Duckett took my reckless driving case last minute and took the time to explain everything I needed to do.…

Outstanding

★★★★★

Steve's performance was outstanding period. If you need a professional attorney this is your man!! I will definitely be calling…

The Best Possible Legal Outcome

★★★★★

The greatest quality about Attorney Duckett is his professionalism and reassurance. I was completely worried and scared about what was…

Practice Areas

Regardless of what classification it falls under according to state law, any criminal charge should be taken seriously, as they can all lead to significant consequences upon conviction. Experienced criminal defense lawyers are familiar with how prosecutors in Richmond pursue various types of common crimes of opportunity. Once retained, a lawyer could provide critical help fighting accusations of petit larceny, shoplifting, reckless driving, trespassing, simple assault, DUI, and more.

Assistance from legal counsel can also be important when it comes to fighting drug-related charges, especially when those charges allege drug distribution and/or trafficking. Even though marijuana possession has been decriminalized in Virginia, a conviction for possession of various other controlled substances could still result in severe criminal repercussions. Getting help from a seasoned legal professional should be a priority for anyone who wants to effectively contest a drug possession offense.

Classifications of Criminal Offenses in Richmond

Virginia state law categorizes most criminal offenses as either felonies or misdemeanors, with felonies being more severe offenses that are punishable by longer sentences of imprisonment and more significant fines. Certain “special” offenses are classified separately from this binary system and may have varying penalties based on the circumstances, which a local criminal defense attorney could clarify if necessary.

The Four Classes of Misdemeanor Offenses

There are four classes of misdemeanors under Virginia law, all of which can be punishable with fines, but only two of which can result in jail time. As per Code of Virginia §18.2-11, the maximum allowable punishments for misdemeanors of various classes in Richmond are as follows:

Class 1 misdemeanors – up to 12 months in jail and/or a fine of up to $2,500
Class 2 misdemeanors – up to six months in jail and/or a fine of up to $1,000
Class 3 misdemeanors – a fine of up to $500
Class 4 misdemeanors – a fine of up to $250

Notably, as of July 1st, 2020, possession of less than an ounce of marijuana for personal use is no longer a misdemeanor offense, but rather a civil violation punishable by a fine of no more than $25. This change went into effect after Governor Ralph Northam signed Senate Bill 2 and House Bill 972 into law in May of 2020.

The Six Classes of Felony Offenses

State law establishes six classes of felony offenses, with a range of potential punishments depending on the nature of the offense. Under Code of Virginia §18.2-10, the following sentences may be levied against someone convicted of a particular type of felony in Richmond:

Class 1 felonies – life imprisonment, or death (death is not considered if the defendant is under the age of 18 or is “intellectually disabled” based on the definition set by Code of Virginia §19.2-264.3:1.1)
Class 2 felonies – imprisonment for no less than 20 years, and up to life
Class 3 felonies – imprisonment for between five and 20 years
Class 4 felonies – imprisonment for between two and 10 years
Class 5 felonies – imprisonment for between one and 10 years, or—at the discretion of the court—a maximum of 12 months in jail
Class 6 felonies – imprisonment for between one and five years, or—at the discretion of the court—a maximum of 12 months in jail

In addition, Class 5 and 6 felonies can come with fines of up to $2,500, while felonies of higher classes can be punished by up to $100,000 in fines at the discretion of the court.

Scholarship

We have created the Strong Roots Scholarship to discuss what it takes to build healthy communities and why community development is important. This scholarship will award one student $500 to use towards their education. If you are interested in learning more about this scholarship opportunity, visit our scholarship page.

Congratulations to our 2019 Strong Roots scholarship winner, Aryann Farano.

For those interested in learning more about the legal field through hands-on experience, visit our opportunities page to check out the various jobs and internships available at our law offices.

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Contact a Richmond Criminal Defense Attorney Today

When it comes to combatting criminal prosecution in Richmond courts, there is no substitute for experience. No matter how innocuous your charge may seem or how much you have read up on the law beforehand, defendants who do not have skilled legal representation usually have a hard time avoiding conviction or mitigating the penalties they might face.

If you need help with any kind of criminal matter, a call to a Richmond criminal defense lawyer should be your first priority. Get in touch today to discuss your legal options and get started on your case defense.

Our Attorneys

Steve Duckett

Karin Porter

Jason Moore