Virginia Criminal Defense Attorney

An Overview of the Virginia Criminal Offenses

• ABDUCTION (also known as KIDNAPPING): Va. Code §18.2-47 
• ACCOMPLICE (or ACCESSORY): Even if a person is not present during the commission of a crime, they could potentially be charged as an accomplice if they assisted the perpetrator.
• ALCOHOL-RELATED OFFENSES:
  • Drinking in Public: Va. Code §18.2-388 
  • Open Container: Va. Code §18.2-323.1 
  • Underage Possession: Va. Code §4.1-305 
• ARSON: Va. Code §18.2-77 
• ASSAULT AND BATTERY:
  • Misdemeanors: Va. Code §18.2-57 
    • Assault: Attempting or causing one to fear a battery
    • Battery: Applying force to another without consent
    • Assault and Battery on a Family Member (also known as Domestic Violence): Va. Code §18.2-57
  • Felonies:
    • Assault and Battery on a Law Enforcement Officer: Va. Code §18.2-57
    • Malicious and Unlawful Wounding: Va. Code §18.2-51
    • Assault and Battery on a Family Member (3rd of Subsequent): Va. Code §18.2-57.2
  • Self-Defense and Defense of Others: A person charged with any of the assault-related offenses listed above, who legitimately believed that using equal force was necessary to defend themselves or another against an attack, is not criminally liable for their actions.
• BURGLARY:
  • Statutory Burglary: Va. Code §18.2-89 
  • Breaking and Entering: Va. Code §18.2-90  and Va. Code §18.2-91 
  • Possession of Burglary Tools: Va. Code §18.2-94 
• CAPIAS: An arrest warrant issued by a judge that may allege a new offense (such as failure to appear in court), or simply revoking one’s bond.
• CARJACKING: Va. Code §18.2-58.1 
• CONSPIRACY: Va. Code §18.2-26 
• DISORDERLY CONDUCT: Va. Code §18.2-415 
• DRUG OFFENSES (also known as NARCOTICS):
  • Possession of Marijuana: Va. Code §18.2-250.1 
  • Possession of Schedule I/II Substances: POSSESSION OF SCHEDULE I/II SUBSTANCES: Va. Code §18.2-250 
  • Possession with Intent to Distribute: Va. Code §18.2-248 
  • Possession of Drugs and a Firearm: Va. Code §18.2-308.4 
• EMBEZZLEMENT: Va. Code §18.2-111 
• FAILURE TO APPEAR: Va. Code §19.2-128 
• FRAUD:
  • False Pretenses: Va. Code §18.2-178 
  • Forgery and Uttering: Va. Code §18.2-172 
  • Credit Card Fraud: Va. Code §18.2-195 
  • Identity Fraud and Theft: Va. Code §18.2-186.3 
• LARCENY OFFENSES (also known as STEALING):
  • Misdemeanors:
    • Petit Larceny: Va. Code §18.2-96 
  • Felonies:
    • Grand Larceny: Va. Code §18.2-95 
  • Receiving Stolen Goods: Va. Code §18.2-108 
• MURDER (also known as HOMICIDE):
  • Capital Murder: Va. Code §18.2-31
  • First and Second Degree Murder: Va. Code §18.2-32
  • Voluntary Manslaughter: Va. Code §18.2-35
  • Involuntary Manslaughter: Va. Code §18.2-36.1
• OBSTRUCTION OF JUSTICE: Va. Code §18.2-460 
• PROSTITUTION AND SOLICITATION OF PROSTITUTION: Va. Code §18.2-346 
• RESISTING ARREST: Va. Code §18.2-479.1 
• ROBBERY: Va. Code §18.2-58 
• SEX OFFENSES:
  • Carnal Knowledge (of minors): Va. Code §18.2-63
  • Indecent Liberties: Va. Code §18.2-370.1
  • Rape (also known as Sexual Assault): Va. Code §18.2-61
  • Sexual battery: Va. Code §18.2-67.4
• SHOW CAUSE: An instrument of notice issued by a court to induce compliance of the recipient (i.e. for failure to pay child support). A court may revoke and impose previously suspended jail time for noncompliance where applicable.
• STALKING: Va. Code §18.2-60.3 
• TRESPASS: Va. Code §18.2-119 
• VANDALISM (also known as DESTRUCTION OF PROPERTY): Va. Code §18.2-137 
• WEAPONS OFFENSES:
  • Brandishing a Firearm: Va. Code §18.2-282
  • Carrying a Concealed Weapon: Va. Code §18.2-308
  • Possession of a Firearm by a Felon: Va. Code §18.2-308.2
  • Possession of a Firearm and Drugs: Va. Code §18.2-308.4
  • Use of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony: Va. Code §18.2-53.1