Types of Felony Crimes in Virginia
Felony crimes in Virginia are more serious than misdemeanor crimes. Felonies carry more penalties than misdemeanors and may have life-altering consequences. There are 6 felony classes, with class 1 being the most serious and class 6 being the least serious. If convicted of a felony crime in Virginia, your firearm rights and voting rights will be affected. If the felony crime is sexual in nature, registration on the national sex offender registry will also be required. Below are some of the most common felonies our attorneys handle in Virginia.
Class 1 Felonies
Class 1 felony convictions in Virginia may result in the death penalty or life in prison. The maximum fine is up to $100,000. First-degree murder or aggravated murder are examples of class 1 felonies.
Class 2 Felonies
Class 2 felonies in Virginia are punishable by up to life imprisonment and a $100,000 fine. Second-degree murder, aggravated malicious wounding, armed burglary, armed bank robbery, and financially motivated kidnapping are all examples of class 2 felonies.
Class 3 Felonies
Class 3 felonies in Virginia carry a prison sentence of 5 to 20 years and a fine of up to $100,000. Some class 3 felony examples include breaking & entering, attempted poisoning, and arson.
Class 4 Felonies
A class 4 felony conviction in Virginia carries a jail sentence of two to ten years and a fine of up to $100,000. Human trafficking, child abuse, forging public records, discharging a firearm at a vehicle, attempted rape, and arson of an unoccupied building are some examples of class 4 felonies.
Class 5 Felonies
Class 5 felonies are punished similar to class 1 misdemeanors, as they carry a jail sentence of one to ten years OR a 1-year jail sentence with a $2500 fine. Examples of class 5 felonies include manslaughter, forgery, perjury, abduction, soliciting a minor for prostitution, extortion, and computer fraud.
Class 6 Felonies
A class 6 felony conviction is punishable by one to five years in prison. Common class 6 felonies are strangulation, credit card fraud exceeding $500, soliciting a minor between 16-17 for prostitution, and hit & run resulting in death or injury.
Hiring the Best Virginia Criminal Lawyer for Felony Crimes
If you or a loved one has been charged with a felony crime in Virginia, it may be difficult to know where to start. The process can be especially confusing when the defendant is still incarcerated. With someone’s life on the line, it is essential to secure the right lawyer quickly. Our criminal lawyers have extensive experience handling all felony matters in Virginia. Call us today at 703-542-3616.