Virginia Defense of Firearms and Weapons Crimes
Fairfax County and Northern Virginia Firearms and Weapons Crimes Criminal Defense Attorneys and Lawyers
Crimes involving the illegal possession or use of firearms and other weapons are particularly harsh in Fairfax County and Northern Virginia. These crimes often involve what are called mandatory minimum jails sentences. Whenever a person is convicted of a crime with a mandatory minimum prison sentence, the accused must serve 100% of the mandatory minimum. Neither the judge nor the jury can do anything to reduce such a sentence. Therefore, it is extremely important that firearms and weapons charges are taken very seriously from the start. Only a criminal defense lawyer that has handled many of these cases is qualified to defend you.
As a former prosecutor in the largest and busiest jurisdiction in Virginia, Kyle G. Manikas has handled hundreds of firearms and weapons charges. These charges often involve some of the same legal issues as drug possession cases. Moreover, many firearms charges require that prosecution prove that the firearm was operational. This proof is usually obtained by having the gun, pistol, revolver, or rifle examined by an expert at the state lab. Accordingly, it is critical that your defense attorney understand how this testing is accomplished and the potential problems with such an analysis that can be exploited at trial. In certain cases, it can be beneficial for the accused to obtain an analysis from his or her own expert.
The loss of freedom and other consequences that result from a firearms or weapons conviction can be staggering. Given what is at stake, you must be sure that any attorney you hire has the judgment, skill, and reputation to obtain the best possible resolution of the matter.
Manikas Law LLC will ensure that he charges against you are fully investigated and all evidence is obtained and marshaled in your favor. Our firm will perform a sound analysis of all evidence and provide essential trial strategies to present you with the best possible defense.
While there are many defense lawyers, there are only a handful of defense attorneys with the skills and experience to handle your case. Who you hire could be one of the most important life decisions you make.
To discuss your case with Kyle G. Manikas, a former prosecutor and Fairfax County and Northern Virginia criminal defense lawyer that has handled hundreds of firearms and weapons offenses, or to schedule a free consultation, contact our law office at 703-873-7473 or 888-503-8075, or contact us by e-mail.
Specific Firearms & Weapons Crimes
If you have been charged with any of the following firearms or weapons offenses in Fairfax County or Northern Virginia, please call us for a free, no obligation consultation. We will help explain the charge to you, what the prosecutor must prove, what the penalties are, and what defenses and defense strategy we would pursue.
• Use or display of firearm in committing felony (Va. Code 18.2-53.1)
• Reckless handling of firearms; reckless handling while hunting (Va. Code 18.2-56.1)
• Allowing access to firearms by children (Va. Code 18.2-56.2)
• Receipt of stolen firearm (Va. Code 18.2-108.1)
• Shooting at or throwing missiles, etc., at train, car, vessel, etc. (Va. Code 18.2-154)
• Discharging firearms or missiles within or at building or dwelling house (Va. Code 18.2-279)
• Willfully discharging firearms in public places (Va. Code 18.2-280)
• Setting spring gun or other deadly weapon (Va. Code 18.2-281)
• Pointing, holding, or brandishing firearm, air or gas operated weapon or objects (Va. Code 18.2-282)
• Selling or giving toy firearms (Va. Code 18.2-284)
• Hunting with firearms while under influence of intoxicant or narcotic drug (Va. Code 18.2-285)
• Shooting in or across road or in street (Va. Code 18.2-286)
• Shooting from vehicles so as to endanger persons; penalty (Va. Code 18.2-286.1)
• Carrying weapon in air carrier airport terminal (Va. Code 18.2-287.01)
• Wearing of body armor while committing a crime (Va. Code 18.2-287.2)
• Personal protection; carrying concealed weapons (Va. Code 18.2-308)
• Possession of firearm, stun weapon, or other weapon on school property prohibited (Va. Code 18.2-308.1)
• Possession or transportation of firearms by persons acquitted by reason of insanity (Va. Code 18.2-308.1:1, 18.2-308.1:2, 18.2-308.1:3)
• Purchase or transportation of firearm by persons subject to protective orders or convicted of drug offenses (Va. Code 18.2-308.1:4, 18.2-308.1:5)
• Possession or transportation of firearms, stun weapons, explosives or concealed weapons by persons convicted of a felony ("felon in possession") (Va. Code 18.2-308.2)
• Possession or transportation of certain firearms by certain persons (Va. Code 18.2-308.2:01, 18.2-308.2:1)
• Use or attempted use of restricted ammunition in commission or attempted commission of crimes (Va. Code 18.2-308.3)
• Possession of firearms while in possession of certain controlled substances/drugs (Va. Code 18.2-308.4)
• Manufacture, import, sale, transfer or possession of plastic firearm (Va. Code 18.2-308.5)
• Possession of unregistered firearm mufflers or silencers (Va. Code 18.2-308.6)
• Possession or transportation of certain firearms by persons under the age of 18 (Va. Code 18.2-308.7)
• Removing, altering, etc., serial number or other identification on firearm (Va. Code 18.2-311.1)
• Third conviction of firearm offenses (Va. Code 18.2-311.2)
• Possession or use of "sawed-off" shotgun or rifle (Va. Code 18.2-300)
• Carrying loaded firearms in public areas prohibited (Va. Code 18.2-287.4)
• Importation, sale, possession or transfer of Striker 12's/Streetsweepers prohibited (Va. Code 18.2-308.8)
Common weapons include: pistol, revolver, rifle, other gun, dirk, bowie knife, switchblade knife, ballistic knife, machete, razor, slingshot, spring stick, metal knucks, blackjack; nun chahka, nun chucks, nunchaku, shuriken, fighting chain, throwing disc, throwing star, and oriental dart.
Contact An Experienced Fairfax County and Northern Virginia Firearms & Weapons Criminal Defense Attorney
If you have been arrested for any form of firearms or weapons offense, contact a former prosecutor and experienced criminal defense lawyer at Manikas Law LLC. Kyle G. Manikas has handled hundreds of firearms and weapons cases.
To schedule a free consultation or to discuss your case by phone, contact our law office at 703-873-7473 or 888-503-8075, or contact us by e-mail.
