Norfolk Gun Lawyer
There are many different gun-related crimes that you can be charged with in Norfolk, Virginia. Some of these crimes are felonies with corresponding prison sentences. Other gun crimes are misdemeanors and have fines associated with them. While some gun crimes are straightforward, many of the crimes associated with firearms are less clear. Sometimes the penalty provisions can be complicated and harsh. Therefore, if you have been charged with a gun crime in Virginia, a Norfolk gun lawyer can help you by explaining your legal options and advocating on your behalf.
Gun Charges in Virginia
Some of the gun-related charges in Norfolk, Virginia that make contacting a Norfolk gun lawyer necessary include:
- Unlawfully shooting a gun (Virginia Code Section 18.2-279)
- Reckless handling a gun (Virginia Code Section 18.2-282)
- Carrying a gun in an airport (Virginia Code Section 18.2-287.01)
- Carrying a concealed gun without a concealed carry permits (Virginia Code Section 18.2-308)
- Owning a gun if you are a convicted felon (Virginia Code Section 18.2-308.2)
- Using a gun in drug-related crimes (Virginia Code Section 18.2-308.4)
It is also illegal in Norfolk, Virginia to hunt with a gun while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. You can be charged with a Class 1 misdemeanor if you are convicted of hunting with a firearm while under the influence of any combination of alcohol and/or drugs that impair your ability to hunt safely.
An example of unlawfully shooting a gun is discharging a gun inside, or at, an occupied building thus endangering the person or people inside.
Common Norfolk Gun Charges
The most common charges in Norfolk are possession of a concealed weapon. Those are most frequent with or without a permit. Norfolk follows state ordinances. Virginia is an open carry state. As long as a Norfolk resident is legally allowed to possess a firearm, they can have one, but a person must have a proper permit to conceal it in a holster or by another means.
Other common Norfolk gun charges outside of possession of a concealed weapon include reckless handling of a firearm and felonies that are committed using a firearm. Felonies that are committed using a firearm can be instances in which a person uses a firearm to commit murder, use of a firearm to commit robbery, et cetera.
Potential Penalties for Gun Charges in Virginia
The potential penalties associated with gun crimes in Norfolk, Virginia vary depending on the underlying crime and the circumstances surrounding the crime. Because these penalties can escalate quickly and result in lengthy imprisonment terms and significant fines, it is useful to work with a Norfolk gun lawyer as soon as you are charged with a firearms-related offense.
For example, if you are convicted of hunting with a weapon while under the influence, you could serve a jail sentence of up to 12 months and/or be fined up to $2,500 (Virginia Code Section 18.2-11).
If you discharge a gun in or at an occupied building, you can be facing one to five years in prison and a $2,500 fine. If it is determined that you shot maliciously, or, with the intent to do harm, you can end up in prison for two to 10 and possibly get hit with a $100,000 fine (Virginia Code Section 18.2-10). If the malicious shooting results in a death, then you could be charged with second degree murder a severe charge that makes hiring a gun lawyer in Norfolk imperative (Virginia Code Section 18.2-279).
Carrying a concealed gun without a permit is a Class 1 misdemeanor. However, it becomes a felony after the second violation. Each successive violation brings a more serious penalty (Virginia Code Section 18.2-308).
Benefits of Hiring a Norfolk Gun Lawyer
Being charged with a gun-related crime in Virginia can be a confusing process. You owe it to yourself to seek the help of a Norfolk gun lawyer. An experienced Norfolk gun lawyer will be able to assess your situation and provide you with options regarding your defense. An aggressive lawyer can talk to the officers, they can talk to the prosecutors, and get a feel for what exactly the case entails. They can assess the situation and see whether or not the case is something that can be negotiated, that can be worked out without having to necessarily go to trial. Contact a qualified gun attorney to see what they can do about a Norfolk gun charge.
For these reasons, if you have been accused of a gun-related crime in Norfolk, call today to get a free initial consultation.
