Criminal Defense Lawyer in Prince William County, Virginia
Criminal Charges in Prince William County
Virginia classifies crimes as misdemeanors or felonies, with penalties defined in Va. Code Title 18.2. A Class 1 misdemeanor is the most serious misdemeanor level. A Class 5 felony carries 1-10 years in prison. The Commonwealth’s Attorney for Prince William County prosecutes all criminal cases.
Last verified: March 2026 | Prince William County General District Court | Virginia General Assembly
Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. was founded in 1997 by former prosecutor Mr. Sris. The firm combines over 120 years of legal experience.
Official Legal Resources
Refer to the Va. Code Title 18.2 (Crimes and Offenses) for the complete statutory definitions. For court procedures, visit the Prince William County General District Court website.
Prince William County Court Process
Prince William County General District Court handles all misdemeanor trials and felony preliminary hearings. Prince William County Circuit Court handles felony jury trials and all appeals from GDC.
- Initial Appearance and Bond Hearing: Appear before a magistrate within 24 hours of arrest for bond determination. Personal recognizance is common for first-offense misdemeanors.
- Arraignment and Plea Entry: Formally hear charges and enter a plea of not guilty, guilty, or no contest at Prince William County General District Court.
- Discovery and Motion Filing: Review evidence from the Commonwealth’s Attorney. File pre-trial motions to suppress evidence or dismiss charges if procedural errors exist.
- Pre-Trial Conference or Negotiation: Discuss potential plea agreements or diversion programs like first offender under Va. Code § 19.2-303.2 with the prosecutor.
- Trial or Final Disposition: Proceed to bench trial in GDC for misdemeanors or demand a jury trial in Prince William County Circuit Court for any jail-eligible offense.
Criminal Penalties in Prince William County
In Prince William County, criminal charges carry significant penalties: a Class 1 misdemeanor means up to 12 months in jail, while a Class 5 felony carries 1-10 years in prison.
| Offense | Classification | Incarceration | Fine | License Impact | Additional Consequences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assault & Battery (Va. Code § 18.2-57) | Class 1 Misdemeanor | Up to 12 months | Up to $2,500 | None | Protective order possible |
| Petit Larceny under $1,000 (Va. Code § 18.2-96) | Class 1 Misdemeanor | Up to 12 months | Up to $2,500 | None | Criminal record affects employment |
| Driving on Suspended (Va. Code § 46.2-301) | Class 1 Misdemeanor | Up to 12 months | Up to $2,500 | Additional suspension | Mandatory minimum jail for subsequent offenses |
| Grand Larceny ($1,000+) | Class 6 Felony | 1-5 years | Up to $2,500 | None | Felony record |
Results may vary. The penalties listed are maximums; actual outcomes depend on case specifics.
Bond amount is set by the magistrate at arrest. Personal recognizance is common for first-offense misdemeanors. Secured bond typical for felonies requires a bail bondsman (approximately 10% fee).
Experience in Prince William County Courts
Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. brings combined attorney experience of over 120 years to criminal defense. Founded in 1997, the firm has achieved firm-wide 4,739+ case results with a 93%+ favorable outcome rate. Our tagline reflects our approach: “Global advocacy. Local precision.”
In Prince William County, we have a documented record of 141 results: 118 dismissed or not guilty verdicts, 19 charges reduced or amended, and 1 other favorable outcome—a 98% favorable outcome rate for this locality.
Matthew Greene, Senior Defense Attorney at Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. — Licensed in VA. 30+ years criminal defense. Death penalty certified (formerly). View Matthew Greene’s Profile
Documented Case Results in Prince William County
Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. has 141 documented criminal defense results in Prince William County: 118 cases dismissed or resulted in not guilty verdicts, 19 charges reduced or amended, and 1 other favorable outcome.
Results may vary. Prior results do not aim for a similar outcome.
Local Criminal Defense Representation
Our Fairfax location serves clients at Prince William County courts (9311 Lee Avenue). We are a criminal defense lawyer near Prince William County and the surrounding communities.
We serve Manassas, Woodbridge, Dale City, Dumfries, Gainesville, Haymarket, Lake Ridge, and Occoquan.
24/7 phone consultations — (888) 437-7747 — meetings by appointment only.
Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C.
4008 Williamsburg Court
Fairfax, VA 22032
Phone: (888) 437-7747 | Local: (703) 636-5417
By appointment only.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the penalty for a misdemeanor in Prince William County, Virginia?
A Class 1 misdemeanor in Prince William County carries up to 12 months in jail and a $2,500 fine. A Class 2 misdemeanor: up to 6 months/$1,000. Common charges include assault and battery (§ 18.2-57), petit larceny under $1,000 (§ 18.2-96), and driving on suspended (§ 46.2-301). Cases heard at Prince William County General District Court (9311 Lee Avenue, Suite 230, Manassas, VA 20110). 141 documented results: 118 dismissed/not guilty, 19 reduced/amended, 1 other favorable (98% favorable outcome rate).
Can criminal charges be expunged in Prince William County, Virginia?
Virginia allows expungement for acquittals, dismissals, and nolle prosequi under Va. Code § 19.2-392.2. Most convictions cannot be expunged. The petition is filed in Prince William County Circuit Court. First-offense marijuana possession may qualify through deferred disposition. 141 documented results: 118 dismissed/not guilty, 19 reduced/amended, 1 other favorable (98% favorable outcome rate).
How does bail work in Prince William County, Virginia?
A magistrate sets bond after arrest. Personal recognizance (no payment) is common for first-offense misdemeanors in Prince William County. Secured bond (bail bondsman charges ~10%) is typical for felonies. Bond can be appealed to Prince William County General District Court. Bond amount set by magistrate at arrest — personal recognizance for many first-offense misdemeanors; secured bond typical for felonies (bail bondsman charges approximately 10%); public defender eligibility based on income; court-appointed attorney fee: $120 (misdemeanor) to $445+ (felony).
Do I need a criminal defense lawyer in Prince William County, Virginia?
Criminal charges in Prince William County are prosecuted by the Commonwealth’s Attorney and heard at Prince William County General District Court (9311 Lee Avenue, Suite 230, Manassas, VA 20110). Even misdemeanors carry up to 12 months jail and create a permanent criminal record visible to employers. 141 documented results: 118 dismissed/not guilty, 19 reduced/amended, 1 other favorable (98% favorable outcome rate) Contact SRIS 24/7 at (888) 437-7747 for a Consultation by appointment.
What is the difference between GDC and Circuit Court in Prince William County?
Prince William County General District Court handles misdemeanor trials and felony preliminary hearings. Prince William County Circuit Court handles felony jury trials and appeals from GDC. You have an absolute right to a jury trial in Circuit Court for any offense carrying jail time. Prince William County General District Court (9311 Lee Avenue, Suite 230, Manassas, VA 20110) is the GDC location.
Related Legal Services
For broader Virginia criminal defense information, see our Virginia criminal lawyer hub page.
For defense in nearby localities, consult our Fairfax County criminal lawyer or Manassas criminal lawyer.
In Prince William County, we also handle DUI/DWI defense and family law matters.
Learn more about attorney Kristen Fisher.
Last verified: March 2026. Information current as of verification date. Laws change—contact Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747 for current guidance.