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Dumfries Gun Penalties

There are many different ways that a person can be charged with violating gun laws in and around Dumfries. Many gun crimes are Class One misdemeanors that can be punishable by up to one year in jail. However, more severe cases like felons in possession of a firearm or use of a firearm in the commission of a felony are serious crimes that can and often do result in many years in prison.

If you were charged with a gun offense, you should understand that Dumfries gun penalties can have a serious impact on your life. Appearing in court without a skilled defense attorney by your side is dangerous when prison is on the line. Contact a knowledgeable lawyer today to discuss your case.

Variables Impacting Gun Crime Penalties

There are the two main sets of variables that impact the sentence for a gun crime: the nature of the offense itself and the defendant’s previous criminal history. Many different types of conduct can yield convictions for a gun charge in Virginia. Some are misdemeanors, others are felonies, and how those are treated almost always has to deal with what a person’s criminal history looks like.

If a person is convicted of a misdemeanor offense with no criminal history, the odds are good that they will not face jail time. However, if a person is charged with and convicted of a felony gun-related charge and they have a previous criminal history, he or she should expect that some jail time and perhaps some prison time will be associated with that conviction.

Possession of a Firearm In or Around a School

Dumfries gun penalties are higher if someone is found in possession of a firearm in a gun-free zone. If a person is in possession of a firearm that they are otherwise allowed to possess but they are using or holding in or around a school, then it becomes a Class Six felony charge. However, if a person is in possession of a firearm within a school and they have an intent to use that firearm, attempt to use it, or display it in a threatening manner, then they are looking at a mandatory minimum term of five years incarceration.

How a Lawyer Could Help

If a person is charged with any gun-related crime, they need to hire an attorney because there may be significant questions about the government’s case. A criminal defense lawyer will look at the facts to determine if there are legal defenses to whatever the prosecution says a person did.

For example, a lawyer could question whether or not someone actually possessed a firearm. There might be constitutional challenges under the Fourth or Fifth Amendments in regards to any searches or statements that were provided by the defendant. There are a lot of different ways that charges can be mitigated with the help of a seasoned attorney who knows these laws and knows the faults of the courthouse.

Value of a Dumfries Gun Attorney

If you were charged with a gun offense, hiring a lawyer could help. An attorney will exhaust all possibilities to win your case or at least mitigate the most severe Dumfries gun penalties. Get in touch with a lawyer as soon as possible to get started on your defense.