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Common Criminal Charges in Alexandria

Alexandria handles all criminal charges that occur under state law, so it can be anything from the most minor traffic offense to murder. However, no matter what charge you are facing an Alexandria criminal attorney is available to assist you in fighting your charge. Call today to schedule a free consultation.

Traffic-Related Charges

The most common cases, however, that tend to be heard in Alexandria are traffic offenses such as reckless driving, speeding, driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, or other offenses involving the operation of motor vehicles.

These types of charges are frequently heard in Alexandria because cars are so prevalent in our society and they can cause a lot of damage if operated unsafely. Police in Alexandria are out looking for traffic offenses, running speed traps and DUI patrols and, therefore, making many arrests for traffic offenses.

Drug Charges

Also common in Alexandria are charges of drug possession, whether it be the felony possession of a schedule 1 or 2 controlled substance like cocaine, heroin, Molly, or methamphetamine or the misdemeanor offense of possession of small amounts of marijuana. Drug offense charges are common in Alexandria and frequent the docket.

Theft and Theft-related Charges

Additionally, theft charges also are frequently charged in Alexandria because there are so many stores that are willing to prosecute. These run the gamut from simple petty larceny—which is the theft of goods less than $200 to grand larceny, which is any amount above $200. Other theft offenses include embezzlement, obtaining money by false pretenses, robbery, and larceny from the person of another.

Felonies and Misdemeanors in Alexandria

Alexandria is governed by Virginia law and Virginia law states that anything punishable by more than a year in jail is a felony and anything punishable by 12 months in jail or less is a misdemeanor, with the exception being traffic infractions which are not misdemeanors at all. It is the punishment range that differentiates a felony from a misdemeanor.

The Code section that governs the charge will list the penalties and will explicitly say whether the offense is a felony or misdemeanor, as will the warrant on which you are charged.  Because felonies typically punish worse behavior they are often handled with more scrutiny by the prosecutor’s office. More resources will be expended to ensure a conviction and they will often be handled by a more experienced prosecutor. Here is more information on misdemeanor and felony charges in Alexandria.

Examples of Felonies

Felonies include robbery, grand larceny, which is a theft of goods or services $200 or more, driving under the influence of alcohol-3rd or subsequent offense, possession of a schedule 1 or schedule 2 controlled substance, possession of drugs with the intent to distribute, unlawful wounding, malicious wounding, and aggravated malicious wounding are all felonies. That’s just the tip of the iceberg. There are numerous felonies in the code and many ways felonies can be charged.

Examples of Misdemeanors

On the other side of the coin, misdemeanors include simple assault and battery where the harm done is minimal, petty larceny (less than $200) possession of small amounts of marijuana,  driving under the influence—first or second offense, destruction of property less than $1,000, and reckless driving, amongst many other charges that can be brought.

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