Washington DC Criminal Offenses &
Sentencing
When you are facing criminal charges, the number
one question on your mind is "What
could happen to me?" Knowing the court process
in Washington DC, the risks, and potential
outcomes that may result can help you take control
of your legal problem.
With so many different
possible outcomes, it is difficult to predict how any case will end ahead of time.
But an experienced DC criminal defense attorney can
help you understand what the most likely results are
when fighting a criminal charge. Contact us for a
free case evaluation.
Criminal Charges & Penalties in Washington DC
All
criminal offenses in the District of Columbia have a range
of penalties for the judge
to sentence.
For instance, a crime like
aggravated assault carries a potential sentence of
up to 10
years in prison and
up to
$10,000 in fines. It is the job of the judge, using
the presentence report and information from your
attorney to determine where within this range you
are sentenced.
As a criminal defense lawyer who knows the DC
courts, I can give you a much more accurate guess of
what you are likely to be facing if found guilty of
a criminal charge. In most cases, the high end of
the penalty range is only used in very serious
circumstances.
And obviously, some criminal
offenses carry much harsher penalties than others.
Below are a few of the more common criminal charges
we see.
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1st
Degree Theft
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Up to 10 years in
prison and $5,000 in fines
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2nd
Degree Theft
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Up to 180 days in jail
and $1,000 in fines
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Trespassing
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Up to 180 days in jail
and $1,000 in fines
|
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Property defacement, including graffiti
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UP to 180 days in jail
and fines of $250-$1,000
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Disorderly Conduct
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Up to 90 days in jail
and $250 in fines
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Threats to do Bodily Harm
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Up to 6 months in jail
and $500 in fines
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DUI/DWI (1st offense)
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Up to 90 days in jail,
fines of $300-$1,000, and 6 month license
revocation.
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DUI/DWI (2nd offense)
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Up to 1 year in jail,
fines of $1,000-$5,000, and 1 year license
revocation.
|
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Possession of marijuana (1st
offense)
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Up to 1 year in prison
and $1,000 in fines
|
|
Sale
of marijuana (1st offense)
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Up to 1 year in prison
and $10,000 in fines
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Of course, there are numerous
other criminal offenses and recommended sentences to
go with them. As your criminal history and the
severity of your crime increase, so does the
potential sentence you will face.
Plea
Agreements
The vast majority of cases in
DC and across the country end in plea agreements.
Plea agreements are essentially bargains between you
(the defendant) and the District of Columbia (the
prosecution). A plea agreement is designed to reach
a favorable outcome for both parties without having
to go to trial.
Plea bargains
can happen at any stage of the criminal justice
process and may include any of the following
benefits:
- A reduction in the original
charge against you
- The promise of a recommended
lenient sentence
- The opportunity to serve
probation where active jail time is more likely
In most cases, in exchange for
these things, the prosecution will ask you to admit
guilt to all or part of the charges against you.
Pre Trial
Diversion/Deferred Prosecution
Concepts like pre-trial
diversion and deferred prosecution are those that
attempt to resolve a criminal case before it reaches
trial. These types of programs are reserved for
people who are charged with their
1st
criminal offense or otherwise seem to be a good
risk for the courts.
In cases of deferred
prosecution, the defendant is referred to a period
of probation supervision. If he or she successfully
completes this period, the charges are dropped. Your
eligibility for options like this are based on your
charges and your criminal history.
Contact me today to see if you
might qualify for deferred prosecution or another
form of diversion.
Sentencing
After Trial
Very few cases make it all the
way to resolution after trial. However, it does
happen. If your case went to trial and you were
found guilty of some or all of the charges against
you, you face a typical sentencing process.
Judges take many things into
consideration when determining your sentence. While
it seems like they are only out to punish, some are
more focused on rehabilitation and community
penalties than others.
One tool used when determining
your sentence is the
presentence
report. This document is prepared through an
investigation by an officer of the court. It details
many points of interest that a judge will use to
properly sentence you. Your presentence report may
include:
- Criminal history
- Social history
- Employment status
- Residential status
- Mental health history/summary
- Drug/Alcohol concerns
- Family support details
- Any other risk factors or concerns
When facing any type of
criminal charge in D.C., you need a local attorney
who knows how the District’s courts and courtroom
players work. Having represented many clients in the
D.C. Superior and Community Courts, I know what you
are facing and am confident that I can help.
From building a rock solid
defense to ensuring the court hears your side of
things at sentencing time, I can be your advocate in
a system that feels like it’s out to get you.
Contact me today to discuss
your case.
Call Our Attorneys a Free Consultation on any
Washigton DC Criminal Offense
Call us at
(888) 452-4344
for a no obligation, criminal defense
consultation.
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