Portsmouth Criminal Defense Law Blog

In Virginia, there is a difference between crimes that are charged to adults and those that are classified as juvenile crimes. If a person is under the age of 18 and gets caught up in or accused of criminal activity, it is important to know the difference. This is true regardless of the criminal activities that are alleged. For those who are under the age of being considered an adult and are charged with a juvenile crime or a crime that reaches the seriousness in which he or she might be charged as an adult, it is essential to have a legal defense that is experienced and qualified to help, as may be the situation in one case.

There, two males were arrested for several robberies that occurred in September. One of the accused individuals is a man, age 32, while the other was a juvenile, age 14. One alleged crime was at a convenience store. The males are alleged to have committed a robbery in the parking lot. Shots were apparently fired at the victim as he tried to get away. No one was hurt, but two vehicles were hit. Another robbery occurred at a sandwich chain shop. In that incident, one of the suspects entered the establishment, brandished a gun and demanded money from the worker, who was alone in the store at the time. The alleged robber fled with an unspecified amount of amount. The third incident in question occurred at the same convenience store as the first. In that incident, one suspect is accused of pulling a gun and demanding money. After allegedly being given an unknown amount of money, he fled.

For Virginians who are arrested, charged, and convicted of drunk driving, the penalties and stigma that surrounds it can be difficult to deal with. There are times when a person who has one conviction will be in a situation in which he or she is charged with the same offense again. There are different penalties for a second conviction on drunk driving charges. Knowing what these penalties are is integral to formulating a strong defense.

The severity of penalties is contingent upon the amount of time that has elapsed from the first conviction to the second. If a person is convicted of the second offense and it is less than five years after the first offense, there will be a minimum fine of $500. The person will have a minimum jail sentence of one month and up to one year. The mandatory minimum incarceration will be 20 days.

Virginia teens who are accused of shoplifting need to be aware that it is taken seriously and there can be significant long-term consequences if there is a conviction. Understanding the law and formulating a defense is therefore essential to stand a chance at avoiding the harshest punishments in the juvenile law system.

Under Virginia law, a person who conceals, takes, alters the price of goods, or helps another do so can be charged with shoplifting. Shoplifting, a type of larceny, has different penalties depending on the value of that which is alleged to have been taken. Merchandise that is worth less than $200 will lead to a charge of petit larceny. Merchandise that is worth $200 or more will be considered grand larceny. If a person conceals an item while on the premises, it will be viewed as evidence that the person intended to take it. Taking the property of an individual with the intent of never returning it to the owner is larceny. Petit larceny is when an item that is worth less than five dollars if it is taken from a person. If it is taken not from the person, it will be petit larceny if it is worth $200 or less. This is a Class 1 misdemeanor.

As another school year is set to begin, it is important for people under the age of 18 to have a grasp of the juvenile law system and how certain allegations can impact their lives. For example, a juvenile might not be aware that making a verbal or physical threat can result in criminal charges. Even if such a threat is made in jest or is done without the person really meaning it, there can be charges and, if convicted, harsh penalties that accompany it. This is true for physical and verbal threats.

The law states that a threat occurs when there is communication saying that one person will injure or kill another person or a member of that person's family. Prosecutors must also show that this communication is sufficient to stoke reasonable fear in the other person that the threat might actually be carried out. A written threat will result in charges of a Class 6 felony. If there is a conviction, the juvenile can be imprisoned for a minimum of one year and up to five years. Alternatively, he or she may be jailed for up to one year with a fine of up to $2,500. A threat made on school grounds, at an event sponsored by the school, or on a school bus will be classified as a Class 6 felony even if the person who was targeted never receives the threat.