Navigating through the criminal justice system can be difficult, especially if you are unfamiliar with the process and/or legal terminology. If you are arrested for a misdemeanor or felony, or ticketed for a traffic infraction, contacting an experienced attorney is the single most important decision you can make.

If you are arrested for driving without a license in Virginia, cooperate with law enforcement and ask to speak with a lawyer. An experienced criminal defense attorney can assess your case, identify a clear path forward, and ensure your rights are protected at every turn.

Being charged with a criminal offense in Virginia is a serious matter. While misdemeanors are less serious than felony crimes, they are punishable by jail time, steep fines, and other penalties.

After being arrested and taken into police custody, at some point, you will appear before a magistrate who will determine your bail. Depending on the nature of your crime and whether you are a danger to society, your release may be denied.

To arrest a suspect without a warrant, police must have probable cause that they have engaged in criminal activity. An officer has probable cause to arrest when they have reasonable grounds to believe that the law was being violated. Specifically, the Virginia court system explains that probable cause exists when there is “a reasonable ground of suspicion, supported by circumstances sufficiently strong in themselves to warrant a prudent and cautious man to believe that the accused is guilty of the offense with which he is charged.”

Every day thousands of active warrants are issued across the country. Because there are so many active warrants, and the police have no obligation to inform people when they have a warrant out for their arrest, many people have no idea they have a warrant and continue living their normal lives until one day they arrested.