Facing criminal charges in Fairfax or Northern Virginia? Get the criminal defense lawyer you need and deserve.
Select Law Partners knows that facing a criminal allegation or charge is scary and stressful. We also know that a conviction can be devastating. Whether you’ve been wrongly accused or made a regrettable mistake, you deserve to have a strong defense with a Fairfax criminal defense lawyer standing behind you and protecting your legal rights.
Work with Select Law Partners PLLC and you’ll get the one-on-one attention you deserve. You also get the effectiveness and efficiency of having an entire legal team behind you.
Contact our Fairfax criminal defense attorneys at (855) 541-4867 or fill out our online contact form to discuss your situation.
Types of cases that our Fairfax criminal defense lawyers handle
At Select Law Partners PLLC, our criminal law attorneys represent individuals faced with a wide variety of criminal allegations and criminal charges. We work with clients throughout Fairfax and Northern Virginia in any type of case, from traffic infractions and misdemeanors to serious felony charges.
No matter your situation, we will develop a tailored defense strategy to work toward the best possible outcome for your case.
Misdemeanors
A misdemeanor is an offense that is less serious than a felony but more serious than an infraction. Common misdemeanor cases that we handle include:
Assault and battery
Assault and battery are two different offenses but are often charged together. You do not have to touch someone to face an assault charge. Instead, an assault charge can arise from an act intended to inflict bodily harm.
A battery is offensive touching. No injury is required to prove a battery and, depending on the circumstances of the allegations, assault, and battery can be charged as a felony.
Involuntary manslaughter
Involuntary manslaughter involves the accidental death of another person due to an unlawful or reckless act. Though technically classified as a misdemeanor, involuntary manslaughter is sentenced as a felony in Virginia.
Trespassing
You may face a trespassing charge if you enter another person or entity’s property without permission or if you remain on a property after being told to leave.
DUI, BUI, and Underage DUI
A first, second, or underage DUI is generally charged as a misdemeanor. Third and subsequent DUIs are charged as felonies.
BUIs, or boating while intoxicated, are also generally misdemeanors. However, if the act resulted in bodily injury or death, a person can be charged with a felony.
Reckless driving
There are two types of reckless driving in Virginia: by speed (over 80 miles per hour) or by “behavior,” where the driver endangers the life, limb, or property of any person with their driving.
We handle many other types of misdemeanor cases outside of the cases listed above. Are you facing a misdemeanor charge in Fairfax or the surrounding areas? We recommend you speak with an experienced defense attorney as soon as possible.
Felonies
A felony is more serious than a misdemeanor. Below are a few types of felony cases that our attorneys handle regularly, but this is not a complete list. Reach out to our defense attorneys about your situation to learn how we can help you.
Domestic Violence crimes
Domestic Violence crimes may include abduction, malicious wounding (also called “malicious bodily injury”), and strangulation, along with certain types of domestic assault and battery, violations of protective orders, and stalking.
Sex crimes
Sex crimes may include but are not limited to sexual assault, rape, child pornography, and internet-related sex offenses. Many sex crimes are charged as felonies.
Third or subsequent DUI
A third or subsequent DUI is a felony in Virginia. Each subsequent DUI can result in even more significant penalties.
DUI maiming or manslaughter
Even if it’s your first DUI, if driving while intoxicated results in serious bodily injury or death, you may face a serious felony charge.
Larceny
Larceny is the theft of personal property. In Virginia, you may face petit larceny (a misdemeanor) or grand larceny (a felony) depending on the amount of money or the value of the item taken.
Homicide
Homicide may encompass capital murder, first-degree murder, second-degree murder, felony murder, voluntary manslaughter, and involuntary manslaughter.
We handle many types of felony cases. If you’ve been charged with a felony in Fairfax or NoVA, we recommend that you speak with our criminal defense attorneys as soon as possible.
Common penalties for misdemeanor offenses
Criminal penalties for a misdemeanor conviction vary based on the class of the misdemeanor and the seriousness of the offense. Virginia has four classes of misdemeanors that group offenses by severity.
Under Virginia law, penalties for misdemeanor offenses generally include:
Misdemeanor class type
- Class 1 Misdemeanor: Penalty of up to $2,500 and up to 12 months in jail
- Class 2 Misdemeanor: Penalty of up to $1,000 and up to six months in jail
- Class 3 Misdemeanor: Fines of up to $500
- Class 4 Misdemeanor: Fines of up to $250
Common penalties for felony offenses
Criminal penalties vary based on felony class and the circumstances surrounding the offense. Virginia has six classes of felonies that group offenses by severity.
Under Virginia law, penalties for felony offenses generally include:
Felony class type Penalties
- Class 1 Felony: Penalties include fines of up to $100,000 and imprisonment for life
- Class 2 Felony: Penalties include fines of up to $100,000 and imprisonment for 20 years to life
- Class 3 Felony: Penalties include fines of up to $100,000 and imprisonment for five to 20 years
- Class 4 Felony: Penalties include fines of up to $100,000 and imprisonment for two to 10 years
- Class 5 Felony: Penalties include fines of up to $2,500 and imprisonment for one to 10 years
- Class 6 Felony: Penalties include fines of up to $2,500 and imprisonment for one to five years
Consequences of a misdemeanor or felony conviction
Unfortunately, a misdemeanor or felony conviction can have severe consequences in all areas of your life. Besides fines and jail time, a criminal record can follow you forever. A conviction can come up on background checks hurting your opportunities for housing, loans, and employment.
You may also lose your license or designation if you have one. Convictions can carry a stigma, hurting your reputation and your personal and professional relationships.
How our Fairfax criminal defense attorneys may be able to help you
We will help you deal with a felony investigation before your arrest
At Select Law Partners, we take a proactive approach to defense. We know how easily an allegation can turn into a criminal charge.
Do not wait until an arrest to reach out to a Fairfax criminal defense lawyer. Our criminal attorneys will start preparing your defense on day one. You can expect that we will begin working on your case immediately to build the strongest defense for you.
We will help you eliminate or reduce the impact of a criminal charge
Our attorneys will work hard to help you avoid time in jail or prison. With a strong defense strategy, we may be able to get the case thrown out or the charges dropped against you. If acquittal is unlikely, we’ll work on your behalf to negotiate a favorable plea agreement with the prosecution to reduce the charges and impact on you as much as possible.
We are prepared to take your case to trial
If we cannot get your charges dropped or resolved in an acceptable way, we’ll walk you through your legal options and the potential outcomes of your case. These options may include a plea deal to reduce your charges or taking your case to trial.
Ultimately, it’s your decision to go to trial. Know that we are always prepared to take your case to trial. Our Fairfax criminal defense attorneys have extensive trial experience and will aggressively advocate for you.
We will fight for an outcome that is in your best interest
No matter your situation, our Fairfax criminal attorneys will fight to protect your freedom and reputation. You can count on us to develop a strong defense strategy for your case. Our goal is always dismissal or acquittal.
Avoid Virginia’s harsh penalties for crimes with help from a trusted Fairfax criminal defense lawyer
According to the Virginia State Police, there were 206,609 arrests made in Virginia in 2020. These arrests range in types of offenses. In Fairfax alone, there were 645 criminal arrests and 2,071 arrests for traffic-related crimes in 2020.
If you’re facing a criminal allegation or charge, get a trusted Fairfax criminal lawyer on your side to defend you during this stressful time.
Even if you believe your charge is minor, consider discussing your case with an experienced criminal attorney. Do not leave your case to chance when your freedom and future may be at risk.
The penalties of a criminal conviction can be severe, and many convictions come with collateral consequences that may affect your employment, Constitutional rights, or other parts of your life. Potential penalties are outlined below.
Our promise to you
As your Fairfax criminal defense lawyer, our firm will keep the following promises to you:
We will treat you with honesty and integrity
Honesty and integrity are our firm’s most important core values. Our team knows that trust is earned, and we want every one of our clients to feel safe, comfortable and understood when they work with us.
Trust starts with an open dialogue about your case, your expectations, and our expectations. We will discuss potential scenarios and Virginia law relating to your case. Our team will advise you throughout the entire legal process so you know what to expect and fully understand your legal rights and options.
We will keep you informed with open dialogue and clear communication
At Select Law Partners, our team understands the devastation a criminal accusation or charge can wreak on your life. Too many lawyers get a bad reputation for being unavailable to their clients. Our lawyers work every day to break that reputation. We promise to keep you informed every step of the way.
Meet our Fairfax criminal defense attorneys
Emily E. Gold
Emily is a Virginia native and has been practicing criminal law since 2004. Emily develops tailored defense strategies for her clients based on their best interests and desired case results. She provides her clients with experienced and dedicated legal representation and fights tirelessly to defend her clients. You can
Ben Brasfield
Ben is also a Virginia native and has been practicing law since 2015. Before becoming a criminal defense attorney, Ben worked as a prosecutor for Fairfax County. His experience as a prosecutor gives him a unique and effective edge when counseling and defending his clients in criminal matters and family law matters. You can
Charged with a crime? Contact a Fairfax criminal defense lawyer at Select Law Partners!
Are you or a loved one facing criminal charges in Fairfax or the surrounding NoVA area? Consider reaching out to our experienced attorneys as soon as possible to protect your legal rights. Our Fairfax criminal attorneys can create a solid defense strategy for your case and work tirelessly to get your charges dropped or reduced.
Contact us at (855) 541-4867 or fill out our online contact form and we’ll be in touch with you soon. During a consultation, we will answer your questions and help determine your best next steps. Our defense attorneys advocate for individuals throughout Fairfax and Northern Virginia.
