Fairfax Virginia Criminal Defense Attorneys

Criminal Lawyers in Fairfax, VA Defending Rights Across Fairfax County, Loudoun County, Prince William County, and Throughout Northern Virginia

When criminal charges have put your future and your freedom at risk, skilled legal representation offers the best hope for a favorable outcome. From putting up a strong defense in court to getting your charges dismissed entirely, the potential difference that having your own dedicated defense attorney can make is huge. With the Fairfax Virginia criminal defense attorneys at MacDowell Law Group, PC standing up for you, the legal proceedings ahead don’t have to be so daunting.

The initial consultation is free and confidential, and it provides an important opportunity to understand your rights and the criminal legal process. Contact us today for advice you can depend on from our experienced criminal lawyers in Fairfax, VA.

Have You Been Accused of a Crime in Fairfax, Virginia?

If you’ve been charged with a crime, you’re facing serious legal trouble. Even less severe offenses in Virginia can carry life-changing consequences. You need to prioritize your defense by retaining a skilled legal team devoted to protecting your rights.

The Consequences of Criminal Charges

What’s the worst that could happen when you have been charged with a criminal offense? A conviction could impact every area of your life. You could lose your job, your home, your family, and your freedom.

All felony offenses and even some misdemeanor charges carry the potential for jail time. Even after you have served your time and regained your freedom, having a criminal record can continue to impact your personal and professional reputation and opportunities.

If you have been arrested and charged with a crime of any level, you need to consult experienced legal counsel right away. With the right help, it’s possible to minimize the impact of this legal matter on your future.

The Severity of Criminal Offenses

In Virginia, crimes may be charged as misdemeanors or felonies, depending on the level of violence, the amount of money, or the type of drugs involved, as well as other factors. Felony convictions are more serious and carry the most prison time and steepest fines. However, misdemeanors can also carry significant penalties, including jail time and a lasting criminal record.

Within these categories are classes that further specify the severity of the violation. Misdemeanors are divided into four classes, with Class 1 being the most severe and Class 4 being the least severe. Felonies are graded into six classes. The class of offense is determined by the maximum penalties that could be imposed under Virginia law.

• Class 1 misdemeanors: Punishable by up to 12 months in jail and up to $2,500 in fines
• Class 2 misdemeanors: Punishable by up to six months in jail and up to $1,000 in fines
• Class 3 misdemeanors: Punishable by a fine of up to $500
• Class 4 misdemeanors: Punishable by a fine of up to $250
• Class 1 felonies: Punishable by life imprisonment and a fine of up to $100,000, without eligibility for parole
• Class 2 felonies: Punishable by a prison term of 20 years to life and a fine of up to $100,000
• Class 3 felonies: Punishable by a prison term of five to 20 years and a fine of up to $100,000
• Class 4 felonies: Punishable by a prison term of two to 10 years and a fine of up to $100,000
• Class 5 felonies: Punishable by a prison term of one to 10 years and a fine of up to $2,500
• Class 6 felonies: Punishable by a prison term of one to five years and a fine of up to $2,500

Under Virginia’s Judicial System, crimes committed by minors are generally handled in a separate juvenile and domestic relations district court. In addition to defending individuals facing charges in adult court, MacDowell Law Group, PC assists minors in navigating the juvenile court system. Our firm also provides comprehensive student defense services for college students accused of crimes, addressing the unique factors involved in these complex cases.

What to Do — and What Not to Do — When Facing Criminal Charges in Virginia

The steps you take when you have been arrested or notified that you have been charged with a criminal offense can either help support your defense or undermine it.

When you are first approached by law enforcement, you should respond respectfully but prioritize the preservation of your rights. Only answer the most basic questions to identify yourself, and politely but firmly insist on exercising your right to remain silent. You should not answer any questions or give any statements to the police without first speaking to your attorney, who can advise you on whether and how you should communicate with law enforcement.

As soon as possible, you should contact the legal team at MacDowell Law Group, PC to discuss the details of your case and begin preparing your defense. Do not discuss your case with anyone other than your attorney, and do not agree to any offers or plea bargains with the prosecution without first talking with your attorney about how to proceed and what these decisions could mean for your future.

The sooner in the criminal process you secure dedicated legal representation, the better position your attorney will be in to defend you effectively.

The Difference Our Criminal Lawyers in Fairfax, VA, Can Make

What can you gain by retaining experienced attorneys dedicated to your defense? Our firm always pursues the most positive outcome possible for our clients. Although what’s feasible depends on the specifics of your situation and the case against you, we may be able to:

• Get the charges dropped or dismissed entirely
• Negotiate for lesser charges
• Enter motions to suppress evidence that was obtained illegally
• Highlight weaknesses in the prosecution’s case
• Present a compelling defense in court
• Present mitigating circumstances to help you avoid the harshest penalties, including reducing possible jail time if convicted

Our lawyers understand how prosecutors think and how to challenge their allegations at every phase of a case.

Types of Criminal Charges We Can Defend You Against

Our Fairfax Virginia criminal defense attorneys defend clients against all types of criminal charges, from the lowest-level offenses to the most serious violations. Turn to us for help developing strong legal strategies against allegations of crimes like the following:

• Drug offenses, including charges of possessing, distributing, manufacturing, and trafficking controlled substances
• Gun crimes, including illegal possession of a weapon, unlawfully carrying a concealed weapon, brandishing a firearm, or discharging a gun in a building
• Violent crimes, including assault, battery, manslaughter, homicide, and domestic violence offenses
• Sex crimes, including rape, aggravated sexual battery, and possession or distribution of child pornography
• Theft crimes, including shoplifting, embezzlement, petty theft, and grand larceny
• Fraud crimes, including identity theft, credit card theft, and forgery of documents, public records, or credit cards
• Driving under the influence (DUI), which is generally charged as a Class 1 misdemeanor under Virginia law

Our criminal defense attorneys can also assist you with expungement petitions and appeals.

How MacDowell Law Group, PC Can Help

Throughout every stage of the criminal case ahead of you, we’re ready to protect your interests and preserve your Constitutional rights. We begin by reviewing the facts of your case during a free, confidential consultation. By investigating the incident, contacting witnesses, and gathering evidence, we begin building the strongest possible arguments in your defense. Throughout our examination of your case, we also look for any evidence of police misconduct or prosecutorial errors, which could result in evidence against you being suppressed.

We develop a strategy that offers the best opportunity for a favorable outcome, whether that means negotiating with the prosecutor for lesser charges or putting up a strong defense at trial.

Why Choose MacDowell Law Group, PC as Your Fairfax Virginia Criminal Defense Attorneys?

It matters who provides your defense against criminal charges. Defendants facing all types of allegations can benefit from having seasoned Fairfax Virginia criminal defense attorneys dedicated to protecting their rights and fighting for their best interests. Clients trust their legal defense to MacDowell Law Group, PC because of our experience, our personalized legal strategies, and the knowledge and resources we bring to every case we handle.

Experienced, Award-Winning Attorneys

You need your case in the hands of knowledgeable defense lawyers with a proven reputation. At MacDowell Law Group, PC, we have more than 50 years of combined experience in legal practice. Our commitment to professional excellence has earned us awards and recognition across the legal industry. We have advocated for thousands of clients across Virginia.

Customized Strategies for Effective Criminal Defense

The key to preparing a strong defense is developing a strategy and arguments based on the unique facts and circumstances of your case. Through the personalized attention we provide and the in-depth investigations we undertake, we’re able to craft legal strategies custom-tailored to the facts of your situation. We identify the strengths of all possible defense arguments as well as the weaknesses in the case against you, and we strategically determine how to move forward in developing the most effective defense possible.

Knowledge and Resources to Benefit Your Case

With our thorough knowledge of the intricacies of Virginia law and our vast network of professional resources, our legal team is equipped to conduct meticulous investigations and build strong defense arguments. No matter how complex the case against you, we’re prepared to counter the prosecutor’s arguments as successfully as possible.

Contact the Fairfax Virginia Criminal Defense Attorneys at MacDowell Law Group, PC Today for a Free Case Review

If quality legal defense seems out of reach, it’s time to get to know our firm. We’re available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to address urgent legal issues—because we know that getting help for criminal charges can’t wait. Our attorneys offer free, confidential consultations that include a personalized analysis of the specific facts of your case.

No one should face criminal charges alone, and our skilled representation means you’ll never have to.

For help from experienced criminal lawyers in Fairfax, VA, contact MacDowell Law Group, PC online or call 703-844-4519 today.