Our state takes domestic violence very seriously, and anyone accused of assaulting or terrorizing a family member must be very careful not to end up in prison. Domestic violence cases differ from other run-of-the-mill violence cases because the alleged victim probably got a protective order. These orders restrict the accused’s ability to contact the alleged victim. If you’re facing domestic violence allegations, please contact Del Rio Law, PLLC. Our violent crime defense attorney in Virginia will help you bring a...
Virginia has long cracked down on distracted driving, and the state showed that it meant business this summer when it passed a bill to ban handheld devices, including cell phones, while driving. This law has only recently gone into effect in 2021, and some drivers might not be aware of it. If you’ve been stopped from distracted driving, please contact Del Rio Law today. Our traffic offenses attorney will happily meet with you to review your defense options. What the...
Being accused of sex crimes in Virginia can be a life-altering experience. Not only are many accusations made public, but those accused must defend the legal case and their reputations at the same time. If convicted, defendants can be sure that their neighbors will find out about it. At Del Rio Law, PLLC, our Virginia sex crimes attorney has defended many people accused of rape and sexual battery. These are some of the most serious sex crimes a person can...
Simple assault and battery are class 1 misdemeanors, which can net a person up to one year in jail, a fine (up to $2,500), and other penalties, such as restitution. However, when a defendant targets someone of a protected class, then they can see their penalties jump. At Del Rio Law, PLLC, our Virginia criminal defense lawyers have deep experience helping clients fight back against assault and battery charges. Because a hate crime allegation is serious, we encourage you to...
It is against the law to take property from someone with the intent to permanently deprive them of it. That’s larceny in Virginia, and it can be charged as either a felony or misdemeanor. However, Virginia law also criminalizes receiving stolen property, which might surprise people. If you receive something that was stolen (i.e. stolen property), you could be arrested and face some very serious penalties. Our Richmond theft crimes attorney explains how to beat these charges. What Does the...
Criminal defendants have a constitutional right to counsel (i.e. public defenders) to help bring their defense. For most defendants, this means a public defender can be assigned to your case to represent you. Although the public defender’s office has many dedicated attorneys, the reality is that most defendants are better off hiring their own. Our Virginia criminal defense attorney looks at 4 top reasons you should call your own lawyer and not rely on public defenders. Public Defenders Have Heavy...
A theft conviction carries serious penalties in Virginia, and those accused should reach out to an experienced attorney as soon as possible. At Del Rio Law, PLLC we have extensive experience defending people facing Virginia theft charges. Each case is different, and our firm does not use “off the rack” tactics. Instead, we carefully review the facts to identify the weaknesses in the state’s case. Below, our Virginia theft crimes attorney highlights some of the different defenses that we might...
Virginia tightly regulates weapons, including firearms. The current state of our law is like a maze that gun owners must try to navigate, with so many laws on the books that it is very easy for even a diligent gun owner to make a mistake and face a gun crime charge. At Del Rio Law, our Virginia gun crime attorney is prepared to defend against all gun charges, but the best step is to avoid breaking the law in the...
Like in all other states, driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol is a serious crime in Virginia. Motorists facing DUI charges are concerned about how long the conviction would stay on their criminal record in Virginia. Fact: Each year, nearly 20,000 people are convicted of DUI in Virginia. It is true that having a DUI/DWI conviction on your criminal record can affect many aspects of your life and could even cost you many employment opportunities in Virginia. So, how...
In Virginia, it is unlawful to knowingly and intentionally possess a controlled substance without the proper authorization (Code of Virginia § 18.2-250). It is important to understand that actual physical possession is not required for a person to be charged with and convicted of a drug crime in the Commonwealth. A defendant may be arrested based on a concept called ‘constructive possession’—meaning if police find drugs in your vehicle, you may still be charged with a crime. Here, our Richmond...