by admin | Aug 20, 2013 | Shoplifting
Police procedural television programs and heist movies have made most people conversational with the terms petty theft, larceny, grand larceny and more. But since those shows are never based in Fairfax, VA, the average person is unclear on the actual laws surrounding these offenses. All theft crimes in Virginia (and those related) are all subsumed under the general term “larceny.” While there are a few specific statutes relating to larceny, generally larceny offenses are divided into two categories: Petit Larceny Grand Larceny Petit Larceny Petit larceny is the lowest level of theft. Petit larceny is classified as a Class I misdemeanor, and the attached sentence is possible confinement in jail for a period not longer than 12 months, and/or a fine of not more than $2,500. What qualifies as a petit larceny? Theft of property or services valued at less than $200, orl Theft of property valued at less than $5 when taken directly from the person of another. Grand Larceny Grand larceny is usually punishable as a felony, and if it is charged as a felony, the court can can punish the offender with imprisonment for a period of at least one years but not more than twenty years. However, at its discretion, the court can choose to view the grand larceny charge as a misdemeanor instead of a felony. This is sometimes done in cases where the defendant has no previous offenses, or if the amount stolen was only slightly over $200. If that is the case, the possible penalties are the same as for petit larceny, which is also a misdemeanor. What qualifies as a grand...
by admin | Jul 9, 2013 | Domestic Violence
Typically violent crime concerns citizens more than other types of offenses. There was good news for Virginia in the recently published Uniform Crime Report from the U.S. Department of Justice, that found violent crime was falling in Virginia’s major cities at a time when it increased by 1.2% nationally in 2012 over the previous year. Decreases in violent crime were reported in Alexandria, Chesapeake, Hampton, Newport News, Norfolk, Richmond and Virginia Beach. Nevertheless, questions have been arising over the validity of the national numbers, amid claims some police departments are under reporting their figures. According to the Commonwealth of Virginia, violent crime in Virginia has fallen steadily over the last decade. Virginia’s violent crime rate was 197 per 100,000 people in 2011. The rate has generally fallen since 2002, when the violent crime rate was 291. Virginia’s 2011 rate was the 5th lowest in the nation for violent crime Virginia Has Low Levels Of Violent Crime Compared to neighboring states, Virginia has low levels of violent crime. In 2011, North Carolina saw a rate of 350, Tennessee was at 608, and Maryland posted a rate of 494. Notwithstanding the falls, violent crime should not be taken lightly. It often has serious consequences for the victim and the accused alike. Some of the most significant violent crimes I deal with as a criminal defense attorney are: -Assault and Battery -Murder -Unlawful Wounding -Malicious Wounding -Involuntary Manslaughter & Voluntary Manslaughter -Rape and Sexual Assault Long Jail Sentences Violent crimes carry the longest jail sentences and require the lengthiest investigations. Not only are the consequences of these crimes more serious than many...
