Virginia Criminal Defense Attorney Representing Individuals Charged with Misdemeanor Offenses
MISDEMEANOR OFFENSES: In the Commonwealth of Virginia, all offenses not classified as a felony offense are considered to be misdemeanors. Misdemeanor offenses are those offenses punishable by a maximum penalty of one (1) year of confinement in jail and a fine of up to $2,500. The Code of Virginia categorizes Misdemeanor offenses into four (4) categories.
What are the Different Types of Misdemeanor Offenses in Virginia and What are the Penalties for a Misdemeanor Conviction?
Class 1 Misdemeanor: In the Commonwealth of Virginia, a class 1 misdemeanor is punishable by confinement in jail for a term not to exceed twelve (12) months and a fine of up to $2,500 or any combination of a jail term and fine within those limits. Examples of class 1 misdemeanors in Virginia include:
- Petit Larceny
- Assault & Battery
- Trespassing
- Disorderly Conduct
- Obstruction of Justice
- Possession of Marijuana 2nd or subsequent offense
- Destruction of Property (less than $1,000)
- Stalking
- Possession or sale of drug paraphernalia
- Under Age Possession of Alcohol
- DUI/DWI
- Reckless Driving
- Possession of a Schedule III Controlled Substance
- Brandishing a Firearm
- Carrying a Concealed Weapon
Class 2 Misdemeanor: In the Commonwealth of Virginia, a class 2 misdemeanor is punishable by confinement in jail for a term not to exceed six (6) months and a fine of up to $1,000 or any combination of a jail term and fine within those limits. Examples of a class 2 misdemeanors in Virginia include:
- Possession of a Schedule IV Controlled Substance
- An attempt to commit certain misdemeanors
Class 3 Misdemeanor: In the Commonwealth of Virginia, a class 3 misdemeanor is punishable by a fine not to exceed $500. Examples of class 3 misdemeanors in Virginia include:
- Possession of a Schedule V Controlled Substance
- Certain conduct involving animals
- Operating an uninsured motor vehicle
Class 4 Misdemeanor: In the Commonwealth of Virginia, a class 4 misdemeanor is punishable by a fine not to exceed $250. Examples of class 4 misdemeanors in Virginia include:
- Possession of a Schedule VI Controlled Substance
- Public Intoxication (Drunk in Public)
- Certain conduct involving animals
Certain violations of the Code of Virginia do not fall into either of the four (4) classes of Misdemeanor offenses specified in the Code of Virginia. One example of this is a first offense for Possession of Marijuana which is punishable by a term of confinement in jail not to exceed thirty (30) days and a fine not to exceed $500.
Contact a Virginia Criminal Defense Attorney for a Free Consultation
Although the above information is not an exhaustive list of misdemeanor offenses in Virginia, if an individual is accused of a misdemeanor offense in Virginia, contact The Saunders Law Firm, PLLC to speak with an experienced Virginia Criminal Defense Attorney for assistance in defending against such allegations. To set up a free initial consultation at our Fairfax office, call 703-672-0808 or contact us online.
