Every state has its own laws regarding criminal offenses and their punishments, with most crimes falling into one of two categories: misdemeanor or felony. If you're facing charges, it's important to understand the severity so that you can hire a criminal defense attorney if needed. Here's what you should know about the different categories. 

What Are the Common Charges & Penalties for Misdemeanors?

Virginia has four categories of misdemeanors, with Class 1 being the most serious and Class 4 being the least. An example of a Class 4 misdemeanor could be a first-time conviction for public intoxication, while a Class 3 offense might be violating a child custody order. Class 3 and 4 misdemeanors are only punishable by fines—$250 for Class 4 and $500 for Class 3.

Class 2 and Class 1 misdemeanors are more serious and can result in jail time. An example of a Class 2 misdemeanor is possession of a schedule IV drug, which is punishable with fines of up to $1,000 and up to six months in jail. An example of a Class 1 misdemeanor is domestic violence. This is punishable by up to a year in jail and fines of up to $2,500.

What Are the Common Charges & Penalties for Felonies?

There are six classes of felonies in Virginia. A Class 6 felony would be knowingly donating HIV-infected blood and can be punished by one to five years in prison. 

A hit-and-run is considered a Class 5 felony, which might include a sentence of up to ten years in prison. For a Class 4 felony like forgery, the prison sentence can also be up to ten years, but more serious fines of up to $100,000 are enforced.

Meanwhile, a Class 3 felony like burglary can result in imprisonment of up to 20 years plus fines of up to $100,000. With a Class 2 or Class 1 felony, a conviction can result in life imprisonment plus fines of up to $100,000. 

An example of a Class 2 felony would be aggravated malicious wounding, while an example of a Class 1 felony—the most serious—is murder. Class 2 includes at least a 20-year sentence, while Class 1 is punishable by life in prison.

Regardless of the severity of the charges you're facing, it's advisable to get a criminal defense lawyer to advocate on your behalf. PoindexterHill, P.C., of Waynesboro, VA, has served clients in the Shenandoah Valley since 1976. Their lawyers understand how unnerving the situation can be and will walk you through the process confidently. They'll employ their legal acumen to build a case to get your charges reduced or dropped. Learn more about their practice areas online, or call (540) 943-1118 to schedule a consultation with a criminal defense attorney.