Felony Criminal Defense

The Goodman Law Firm provides experienced felony criminal defense across Central Virginia with over 45 years of practice. Scott and Alexander Goodman, both former prosecutors with 50+ years combined experience, defend all felony matters including violent crimes (assault, robbery), property crimes (burglary, theft), drug charges, and white collar offenses. Their prosecutorial background gives them unique insight to effectively protect clients' rights in Virginia state and local courts.

Anyone facing felony charges in Virginia including violent crimes, property crimes, drug offenses, or white collar crimes who needs experienced defense representation with prosecutorial insight.

Felony charges in Virginia carry serious consequences including potential prison time, substantial fines, and long-term impacts on your civil rights, employment, and housing opportunities. Unlike misdemeanors, felonies are the most serious category of criminal offenses and can result in incarceration in state prison rather than local jail.

Felonies in Virginia are classified into six classes, from Class 1 (most serious, including capital murder) to Class 6 (least serious felonies). Each class carries different sentencing ranges, and the specific penalties depend on the nature of the crime, your criminal history, and other factors that can be presented to the court.

Felony cases involve complex legal procedures, extensive discovery processes, and often require skilled negotiation with prosecutors or aggressive trial advocacy. The stakes are significantly higher than misdemeanor cases, making experienced representation essential.

Former prosecutors like Scott and Alexander Goodman understand how the Commonwealth builds felony cases, what evidence they prioritize, and what defense strategies are most effective. This insider knowledge, combined with decades of trial experience, provides clients with a significant advantage in fighting felony charges.

Violent crimes including assault and battery, robbery, malicious wounding, and other offenses involving harm or threatened harm to others. These cases often hinge on witness credibility, self-defense claims, and challenging the prosecution's narrative of events.

Property crimes such as burglary, grand larceny, auto theft, and breaking and entering. Defense strategies may involve challenging identification evidence, questioning intent, or negotiating reduced charges based on the value of property involved.

Drug charges ranging from simple possession to distribution and trafficking. These cases frequently involve Fourth Amendment search and seizure issues that can result in evidence suppression.

White collar crimes including fraud, embezzlement, identity theft, and forgery. These complex cases require attorneys who can analyze financial records and challenge the prosecution's interpretation of business transactions.