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West Virginia Criminal Lawyer

Call (888) 519-6013 to speak with a criminal defense attorney.

More than 5,000 violent crimes were reported in West Virginia in 2006 alone, and across the U.S., more than 1.4 million violent crimes occur each year.

A crime is defined as any act, or omission of act, in violation of a public law forbidding or commanding it. 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, sentenced to death, or ordered to complete a mandatory rehabilitation program, such as drug treatment or counseling for anger management.

Persons found liable in a civil case may have to give up property or pay money as restitution, but are not incarcerated.

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.

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 other kinds of cases such as civil cases, that involve individuals and organizations seeking to resolve legal disputes. In a criminal case, a state prosecutor initiates the suit, while the victim brings the suit in a civil case.

If you have been accused of a crime in West Virginia , whether you are guilty or not, you will need to hire a West Virginia criminal lawyer or attorney to help you with your case. West Virginia criminal lawyers and attorneys represent individuals who have been charged with crimes by arguing their cases in courts of law. A West Virginia criminal lawyer or attorney will typically have a private practice 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 and you want to sue them for damages, you should hire a West Virginia civil lawyer or attorney.

If you have been involved in a crime and you have been arrested, you should request an attorney or contact a private criminal lawyer or attorney immediately. There are many things to look for when hiring a West Virginia lawyer or attorney. A good criminal lawyer or attorney will be familiar with all West Virginia and federal laws, as well as court customs and procedures. They will also spend significant amounts of time on your case, they will hire and manage investigators, and they will research and gather vital information from prosecution witnesses.

If you are ready to contact a West Virginia criminal lawyer or attorney, visit the American Bar Association. Few people qualify for a court-appointed lawyer at the public's expense, and it is generally not advisable to represent yourself, even though that is your right under the law. Every person is innocent until proven guilty. A West Virginia criminal lawyer attorney will gather all of the facts and evidence in order to do their best to prove your innocence.

The American Bar Association (ABA) website features a lawyer locator, which can help you search for a criminal lawyer or attorney in Wyoming. Access is free.