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Criminal Defense Lawyer in Prince William County, Virginia
Prince William County criminal charges carry serious penalties under Va. Code Title 18.2: Class 1 misdemeanors face up to 12 months jail and $2,500 fines, while felonies can bring 1-10 years imprisonment. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. has 141 documented results in Prince William County—118 dismissed/not guilty and 19 reduced—providing strong defense representation at Prince William County General District Court and Circuit Court.
Virginia Criminal Law Statutes
Virginia criminal law is codified in Title 18.2 of the Virginia Code, defining offenses from misdemeanors to felonies. The Commonwealth’s Attorney for Prince William County prosecutes cases locally, while sentencing follows guidelines in § 19.2-295.1. Expungement for dismissals or acquittals is governed by § 19.2-392.2.
Last verified: March 2026 | Prince William County General District Court | Virginia General Assembly
Official Legal Resources
For the complete Virginia criminal code, review Va. Code Title 18.2 (official Virginia General Assembly). Court procedures and locations are available at the Prince William County General District Court website.
Prince William County Court Procedures
Prince William County General District Court handles misdemeanor trials and felony preliminary hearings at 9311 Lee Avenue, Suite 230, Manassas. The Circuit Court conducts felony jury trials and hears appeals from GDC decisions.
- 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: Enter a plea of not guilty, guilty, or no contest at Prince William County General District Court. Most defendants plead not guilty initially.
- Discovery and motion filing: Review prosecution evidence and file pre-trial motions to suppress evidence or dismiss charges based on procedural errors.
- Negotiation or trial preparation: Negotiate with the Commonwealth’s Attorney for reduced charges or prepare for trial before a judge in GDC or jury in Circuit Court.
- Sentencing or expungement: If convicted, present mitigation evidence at sentencing. If acquitted or dismissed, file expungement petition in Circuit Court under Va. Code § 19.2-392.2.
Criminal Penalties in Prince William County
In Prince William County, criminal offenses carry penalties ranging from fines to imprisonment: Class 1 misdemeanors up to 12 months jail/$2,500, Class 5 felonies 1-10 years, with assault and battery under § 18.2-57 as a Class 1 misdemeanor.
| Offense | Classification | Incarceration | Fine | License Impact | Additional Consequences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assault & Battery (§ 18.2-57) | Class 1 Misdemeanor | Up to 12 months | Up to $2,500 | None typically | Protective order possible |
| Petit Larceny under $1,000 (§ 18.2-96) | Class 1 Misdemeanor | Up to 12 months | Up to $2,500 | None | Restitution required |
| Grand Larceny $1,000+ (§ 18.2-95) | Felony (Class 5/6) | 1-10 years | Discretionary | None | Felony record |
| Driving on Suspended (§ 46.2-301) | Class 1 Misdemeanor | Up to 12 months | Up to $2,500 | Additional suspension | Vehicle impoundment possible |
Results may vary. Case outcomes depend on specific facts, evidence, and court discretion.
Firm Credentials
Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. was founded in 1997 by former prosecutor Mr. Sris. The firm brings over 120 years of combined attorney experience with 4,739+ documented case results firm-wide. Our tagline “Global advocacy. Local precision.” reflects our approach to Prince William County criminal defense.
Bryan Block, Defense Attorney at Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. — Licensed in VA. Former Virginia State Trooper (15 years). View Bryan Block’s Profile
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
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 found not guilty, 19 charges reduced or amended, and 1 other favorable outcome—a 98% favorable outcome rate for local clients.
Results may vary. Prior results do not aim for similar outcomes.
Local Defense Representation
Our Fairfax location serves clients at Prince William County courts (9311 Lee Avenue). As a criminal defense lawyer near Prince William County, we represent clients throughout 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: (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 Virginia criminal defense overview, visit our Virginia criminal lawyer hub page. For defense in nearby areas, see Fairfax County criminal lawyer and Manassas criminal lawyer pages. For other legal needs in Prince William County, consider DUI/DWI defense or family law services. Learn more about attorney Kristen Fisher’s background.
Last verified: March 2026. Information current as of verification date. Laws change—contact Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747 for updated guidance.
