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Virginia Criminal Lawyer

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In 2008, there were over 20,000 violent crimes reported in the state of Virginia. The total number of crimes that took place in Virginia was 511,990.

Criminal law, also known as penal law, involves prosecution by the government of a person for an act that has been classified as a crime. There are also civil cases, in which individuals, groups of individuals or organizations seek to resolve legal disputes and receive restitution. In a criminal case, the state, through a prosecutor, initiates the suit, while in a civil case the victim brings the suit.

A crime is any act, or omission of an act, in violation of a public law forbidding or commanding it. Though there are some common law crimes, most crimes in the United States are established by local, state, and federal governments. Criminal laws vary significantly from state to state.

Some of the most common crimes include homicide, manslaughter, sexual assault, kidnapping, assault, battery, arson, blackmail, embezzlement, extortion, perjury, robbery, burglary, larceny, theft, obstruction, conspiracy and solicitation.

Crimes include both felonies and misdemeanors. Felonies are more serious and include rape and murders, while misdemeanors are less serious offenses like petty theft or jaywalking. Persons convicted of a crime may be incarcerated, fined, or maybe both. However, persons found liable in a civil case may only have to give up property or pay money, but are not incarcerated.

If you have been accused of a crime in the state of Virginia, you will need to hire a criminal lawyer or attorney to represent you. Virginia criminal lawyers and attorneys help individuals who have been charged with crimes by arguing their cases in courts of law. Most Virginia criminal lawyers have private practices concentrating on criminal law.

If you are suing a convicted criminal for damages resulting from a crime, you will need to hire a civil lawyer or attorney. Even if the person was not convicted, you can still sue them for damages. Contact a Virginia civil attorney for more information.

If you have been involved in a crime or have been arrested, you should request an attorney at the time of arrest or contact a private criminal lawyer or attorney immediately. A good criminal attorney will not only be familiar with state and federal laws, but will understand the intricacies of court proceedings.

A qualified criminal attorney will spend significant amounts of time on your case, hire and manage investigators, and research and gather vital information from prosecution witnesses. They will fight for your best interests in court. It's imperative that anyone accused of a crime be represented by an experienced criminal attorney.

If you are ready to contact a Virginia criminal lawyer or attorney, visit the American Bar Association at www.abanet.org. The ABA features a lawyer locator, which can help you search for a criminal lawyer or attorney in Virginia. Access is free.