What’s My Potential Sentence? A Look at Crime Sentences For Misdemeanors & Felonies in Virginia

Whencharged with a criminal offense, individuals always want to know what punishment can be imposed by the court. In Virginia, crimes are classified in five misdemeanor categories and seven felony categories.Today we will discuss the maximum crime sentences for misdemeanor and felony offenses.Maximum Misdemeanor Crime SentencesMisdemeanors range from Class 4 through Class 1, with Class 1 charges carrying the highest penalties. There are also unclassified misdemeanors, such as a first offense possession of marijuana. Most misdemeanor offenses in Virginia are Class 1 misdemeanors:Assault and batteryTrespassingPetty larcenyDestruction of propertyDUI/DWIReckless DrivingClass 1 misdemeanors carry a crime sentence range of up to 12 months in jail and/or up to a $2,500.00 fine. Unclassified misdemeanors are also punished as if they were Class 1 misdemeanors, unless the General Assembly has fixed a special range of punishment, as in the case of first offense possession of marijuana.Learn more...