Newport News Gun Lawyer
If you have been charged with a gun violation, you will need the help of an experienced Newport News gun lawyer. Because gun laws are so specific, it is important that the legal advocate you select is experienced in handling firearm charges in the Newport News court system.
Many firearm owners are not aware of the numerous gun regulations that, if not followed, can land you in trouble with the law. While our right to bear arms is protected by the U.S. Constitution, most states, like Virginia, have an interest in regulating firearm use to some degree, in order to foster public safety.
Consult With An Experienced Newport News Gun Lawyer
Your Newport News gun lawyer can investigate the circumstances that led to the charges against you and whether any defenses for your actions may apply. If you were acting in the course of law enforcement duties, or in justifiable self-defense, for instance, your attorney can ask the court to reduce or dismiss the charges against you.
Whether you made a good-faith mistake, such as forgetting you were carrying your gun, or you have previous firearm convictions on your record, an experienced Newport News gun lawyer can fight for you in court.
Types of Gun Violations in Virginia
Most of the gun regulations in Virginia deal with issues of public safety and are covered under Virginia Code 18.2-279 through 18.2-311.
Prohibited actions include:
- Firing weapons unlawfully, which can include a building or in a public space,
- hunting while under the influence of alcohol or drugs,
- Handling a firearm recklessly, such as:
- leaving a gun accessible to children
- pointing a firearm at someone
- carrying a gun into a prohibited place, such as:
- a courthouse,
- an airport
- a church
- possessing a prohibited or regulated firearm, such as
- a machine gun
- a sawed-off shotgun
- Carrying a concealed weapon without a permit
- Possessing a gun if you are prohibited from doing so, for such reasons as:
- If you have been convicted of a felony
- If you have been deemed mentally incapacitated
- Using a gun to commit a violent or drug-related offense.
Persons who have previously been convicted of a gun violation can also face increased charges and penalties for subsequent firearm violations.
While many of these offenses seem straightforward, others can be easy for a responsible gun owner to violate by accident. No matter what kind of firearm violation you are charged with, a Newport News gun lawyer can investigate the details of the incident that led to your charges, and work to put forth a strong defense on your behalf.
Firearm Violation Penalties in Virginia
The penalties for violating a gun regulation typically increase in severity depending on the amount of risk to the public your alleged conduct caused, or could have caused. The court will also consider your motives and whether you acted with malice, for example. If you made a good-faith mistake, your Newport News gun lawyer can present this evidence to the court.
Most gun violation penalties can be quite severe, ranging from up to 12 months in jail and up to $2500 in fines for hunting under the influence of alcohol or drugs – a Class 1 misdemeanor – to 20 years to life in prison for using or possessing a machine gun in the commission or attempted commission of a violent crime, a Class 2 felony.
Finding An Experienced Newport News Gun Lawyer
If you have been charged or accused of a gun violation in Newport News, seeking legal representation is a good first step towards minimizing the harm of this type of charge. In a Newport News gun lawyer you have a legal advocate who can help you navigate the system and make sure your case is tried fairly. Call today for a consultation to discuss your case and what a Newport News gun lawyer can do for you.
