Virginia Criminal Lawyer
When you are facing misdemeanor or felony criminal charges, you quickly become aware of the importance of hiring a qualified Virginia criminal defense lawyer.
From questioning and investigation through an arrest, courtroom appearances and trial, your rights and reputation are in jeopardy every step of the way. However, when you hire an experienced defense attorney to represent you before the court, you are taking a critical step in protecting your rights. Attorney Nicole Naum is an experienced litigator who is committed to providing the strongest possible defense against misdemeanor and felony charges including assault, DUI, reckless driving, and more. When you need a Virginia criminal defense lawyer call Nicole Naum.
Virginia Criminal Attorney Fighting for Your Defense
Conviction of any crime carries serious consequences. Even misdemeanors, often considered “minor” offenses, carry penalties including up to one year in jail. For anyone looking at the possibility of a year behind bars, that punishment is anything but minor. Felony conviction carries a penalty exceeding one year in prison and in some cases a felony conviction can lead to lifetime incarceration. Other penalties associated with criminal conviction include fines, restitution, loss of driver’s license or other restrictions, mandatory counseling or treatment, and other terms of probation that can severely impact your freedoms and privileges. Beyond legal penalties, misdemeanor or felony conviction makes a profound personal and professional impact. Families may be torn apart and a criminal record can make it difficult to gain admission into educational institutions, find or keep a job, and even secure a financial loan.Virginia criminal attorney Nicole Naum understands what is at stake. She works diligently to provide every defendant with quality legal representation and strives to bring each case to its optimal resolution.
Practice Areas
Virginia criminal lawyers are an integral part of the federal and state justice systems. Defense attorneys uphold the rights and protections of criminal defendants including the right to a fair trial, the right to due process and the right to effective assistance of counsel. Nicole Naum believes strongly that each of her clients deserves effective representation that ensures all rights and privileges are protected. She offers skillful defense representation to those accused of
Assault and Domestic Violence
Assault is a blanket term that many people might use to describe a violent act, but in Virginia law there are a number of different offenses that carry wildly different penalties with a possible conviction. Simple assault is the most common type of assault in Virginia, it is charged as a Class 1 misdemeanor and carries a maximum penalty of one year in prison and $2,500 in fines.
Domestic Violence is a different charge when the act is committed against someone that you share a residence with. This could include family members, spouses or even a roommate. The penalties for this crime are more severe that normal assault, so it is important to understand the difference between the levels of assault laws in Virginia. Our Virginia assault lawyer page will have more information about these laws and how they might affect you if you are charged with one of them.
Drug Crimes
Because there are so many different types of controlled substances that are illegal to possess and distribute under Virginia law, and each one carries a different level of danger to the public, the Commonwealth has six different levels of violation that you can be charged with. The least severe is Schedule 6.
The most severe penalties will be associated with schedule 1 controlled substances. These are considered not only the most dangerous substances for public consumption, but also drugs that have a high risk of becoming addictive with extensive use. Schedule 1 includes drugs like heroin, GHB and ecstasy. If you have been charged with a drug related offense and you are unaware of which specific charge you are facing and the penalties that could accompany a conviction, please contact our attorneys for more information.
DUI and DWI
One of the more commonly prosecuted crimes in the Commonwealth of Virginia and throughout the Nation, driving under the influence carries very serious penalties, even with a first time conviction. And the penalties you could face for a drunk driving charge will increase exponentially with more violations. A first DUI violation carries a maximum penalty of a year in jail and a fine of up to $2500.
A DWI and DUI are the same offense in Virginia as Virginia law does not make a distinction. If you have been charged with a drunk driving violation, our attorneys offer a free consultation and will be able to help you determine the best course of action for your defense.
Reckless Driving and Traffic Crimes
Virginia is one of the strictest nations in the Country in terms of reckless driving, and because their laws are such a departure from the states around it, some citizens will be caught off guard when the get a criminal charge for what seems like a routine traffic violation. If you are unsure about what constitutes reckless driving in Virginia, or if you spend a lot of time in your car for a commute to work or otherwise, we recommend that you contact one of our attorneys to find out how you may be putting yourself at risk for a misdemeanor traffic charge. Violations that will be charged as reckless driving include but are not limited to:
- Driving with faulty brakes
- Driving at any speed over 80 mph, regardless of posted speed limit
- Driving over 20 mph over the posted speed limit
- Drag Racing
- Passing a vehicle on a curve
- Drag Racing
- Aggressive driving
- Failure to yield to an emergency vehicle
The process of being charged for reckless driving can besimilar to that of a normal traffic ticket. You will be observed committing the violation by an officer, he will pull you over and most likely issue you a ticket. You may not even know at the time that you face a criminal charge and potential prison time as opposed to just a normal fine. The penalties associated with reckless driving are serious, and because it has a tendency to sneak up on people, we recommend that you contact an attorney as soon as possible to help handle your defense against the charges you face.
Sex Crimes
Sex crimes are taken very seriously by the Commonwealth of Virginia and the attorneys who prosecute cases on its behalf. The penalties for these crimes are so severe that even if the attempted act was never completed, you can still go to prison for a long time just for attempting to complete a sexual offense. Some of these crimes carry a potential maximum penalty of ten years in prison, even for the first offense. The stakes are extremely high if you have been accused of a sexual offense, it is very important that you retain the services of a qualified and experienced lawyer who will fight for your rights and a positive result in court. Our attorneys handle each case with the passion and vigor of their very first, and will work tirelessly until a final resolution in your case has been reached.
Whether you have been charged with a misdemeanor or felony, you deserve to be represented by an attorney who is thoroughly committed to your defense. Attorney Nicole Naum has quickly gained a reputation for assertive, successful defense and for serving as a determined legal advocate for her clients throughout Virginia.
Locations
Locations
Prince William County
The District and Circuit Courts for Prince William County are located in the same facility in Manassas at 9311 Lee Avenue. The easiest way to get there is from Route 66. Take the exit 47 for route 234, and continue into Manassas. Take a slight right onto Grant Avenue then take a right onto Lee Avenue.
Despite the continued rise of population in Prince William County, the crime rate continues to fall. DUI’s one of the more common charges in Prince William, fell from 2,116 in 2009 to 2,046 in 2010. Other types of criminal charges, like possession of either drugs or weapons have fallen dramatically as well. Our attorneys practice in Prince William every single day, and they know what it takes to get a positive result in their courts. If you have been accused of a crime in Manassas, Occoquan, Dale City or anywhere else in Prince William, contact Nicole Naum to find out how we might be able to help.
Fairfax
If you have been charged with a criminal violation in Fairfax County, and your case eventually reaches trial, it will likely be heard at the County Courthouse located at 4110 Chain Bridge Road in Fairfax. The best way to get to this location is from Route 66. Simply take exit 60 for Route 123, Chain Bridge Road. Continue for a few miles until taking a left onto Judicial Drive.
Violent crimes are committed at an unfortunately high rate in Fairfax. In 2010, there were 17,453 crimes committed that fell under the umbrella of “violent crimes.” Now, it is important to note that the vast majority of those cases were general larceny, which saw 14,345 cases. The actual crime rate in Fairfax is much higher than that because this statistic does not include non-violent crimes such as reckless driving. If you have been accused of committing a crime in Fairfax, Nicole Naum and the other attorneys with our firm can provide relentless defense against the charge you face.
And More. . .
Attorney Nicole Naum handles criminal defense cases throughout Northern Virginia, so if you have been accused of a crime in Loudoun County, Culpeper County, Arlington, Alexandria or anywhere else, please contact Nicole Naum today to find out how she may be able to help you.
Call Nicole Naum Today
As an experienced attorney dedicating her practice to criminal defense, Nicole Naum is well-prepared to handle your case. She can carefully explain the charges against you and possible defense strategies that may work for your specific case. If you or someone you love has been charged with a misdemeanor or felony in Prince William,Culpeper or elsewhere, call to schedule a free, confidential consultation with attorney Nicole Naum. Find us on Google+
