Criminal Defense

As a former Virginia Beach prosecutor, Kristin Paulding has extensive experiencing handling violent crime cases from start to finish. Her experience means she is prepared to help you earn the best result for your case. This might mean negotiating a plea deal or arguing your case in front of a jury. If convicted of a violent crime you are likely facing a lengthy prison sentence, probation and the loss of certain rights like the right to vote or possess firearms. Let Ms. Paulding walk you through each step of the process.

Sexual Assault allegations are on the rise and in Virginia a person can be convicted of a sexual assault offense based on the word of the alleged victim ALONE. If convicted of a sexual assault you are likely facing a lengthy prison sentence, sex offender probation and placement on the Virginia Sex Offender Registry. These cases usually go to trial and Kristin has extensive experience cross examining sexual assault witnesses. This can be a very delicate task that she has had success with. Do not allow yourself to be convicted of a sexual assault. The label of sex offender is one that can follow you for the rest of your life if convicted. Call Ms. Paulding now.

Every year, thousands of people in the state of Virginia are arrested and convicted of DUI. A DUI conviction can have several consequences, including a fine, jail sentence, probation, alcohol treatment, ignition interlock, and license suspension. It is important to have an experienced DUI attorney to explain the process, go over the possible consequences of a conviction, and defend you in court.

DUI cases are some of the most complex cases to handle in Virginia. The law is very specific, and the police and prosecutors must meet several requirements before you can be found guilty. The criminal defense attorneys at 7 Cities Law are experienced DUI attorneys. As former prosecutors, they have handled hundreds of DUI cases and have extensive knowledge in this complex area of the law.

Drug cases are also very common in Virginia. First offenders who are arrested for possession of drugs may be eligible for a probationary period that allows them to do community service and treatment. If successful on probation, the charge may be dismissed by the Court. More serious drug offenses include manufacturing drugs or possessing them with the intent to sell. These crimes carry much stiffer penalties, which may include a lengthy prison sentence and large fine.

Our criminal defense attorneys can help if you or a friend have been arrested for an alcohol or drug-related crime.

A conviction for a property or theft crime can have consequences that reach far beyond the courtroom. Have you ever worked in a place where you had to handle money or handle someone’s personal information? Oftentimes, prospective employers will look at your criminal record before hiring you. How do you think a prospective employer will feel if she sees that you have been convicted of stealing or breaking into someone’s house? If you have been arrested for a property or theft crime, you should talk to an experienced criminal defense attorney before you go to court.

Theft and property crimes carry a wide range of penalties. Shoplifting is a misdemeanor that is punishable by up to twelve months in jail, while Armed Robbery is a felony punishable by up to life in prison. The stakes are too high for you to try and handle your case alone. Our attorneys have experience handling the charges listed above. As former prosecutors, they will use their years of prosecution experience to review your case, negotiate, and go to trial, if necessary.

The Commonwealth of Virginia has very specific laws when it comes to carrying or possessing certain weapons. If you have been convicted of a felony or have been adjudicated delinquent as a juvenile of a felony offense, you cannot carry or possess certain weapons. To do so could mean a mandatory prison sentence of two to five years. If you have been to court and are not sure if you have been convicted of a crime, err on the side of caution. Come talk to us at 7 Cities Law before you try to buy or possess a weapon. Sometimes, just understanding your criminal record and what you can or cannot do can save you a lot of trouble. Also be aware that using a gun during a violent felony such as murder, rape, robbery, or malicious wounding can cause you to be charged with an additional crime of Use of a Firearm. This offense can add an additional three to five years to your sentence if convicted.Any weapons charges have to be taken seriously. Our firm offers free consults for criminal cases so that you can come in and ask questions about your case.

No one ever wants to be arrested. However, being arrested for a crime that involves your child or loved one can be especially difficult. Crimes against children and family members are taken very seriously in the Virginia Courts. If convicted of one of these family or domestic crimes, the court may order you to serve a jail or prison sentence, pay a fine, or have no contact with your family member or loved one. The criminal defense attorneys at 7 Cities Law have experience handling the above listed cases.

In many first-offense Domestic Assault cases, the Court has the option of placing you on probation for a year to complete counseling and be on good behavior. If you successfully complete the probation, the court can dismiss the charge. This is something that you want to consider before you go into court on a domestic assault charge. Our defense attorneys can help explain this process and come up with a plan of action for your case.

If you have been accused of a crime against a child, Child Protective Services (CPS) may get involved in your case. CPS is a separate agency from the Police Department. They have the ability to conduct independent investigations and provide risk assessments to the court. CPS may conduct interviews during their investigations that can be shared with the police and prosecutors. You should speak with a criminal defense attorney before speaking with CPS or the police about a possible child abuse or neglect claim.

Technology is constantly changing. Every day, millions of Americans log on to their computers, tablets, smartphones, and other devices to do a multitude of tasks. And, while technology can make life easier, it can also make life more difficult. Computers make it easier to steal a person’s identifying information, forge checks, or harass someone on social media. If you have been arrested for one of these crimes, you need a criminal defense lawyer who is familiar with this area of the law.

Kristin Paulding is a former prosecutor who has consistently used technology in her trial practice. She is familiar with the crimes listed above and knows how technology can make or break a case.

Does having a driver’s license make your life easier or harder? For many people, having a driver’s license is crucial to daily life. You may have to drive to work, pick up the kids, get to school, or help a friend or relative. If you don’t have your license, it is much more difficult to do each of those things. Unfortunately, if you are convicted of many of the above listed offenses, you could lose your driver’s license. Don’t let that happen.

Before you go to Court on a traffic offense, talk to an experienced traffic attorney. At 7 Cities Law, our attorneys have experience handling all of the offenses listed above. As former prosecutors, we understand Virginia’s complex DUI laws. Let us explain the process and potential consequences of a DUI conviction before you go to court.

Traffic offenses can also add points to your driver’s license. Everyone in Virginia who has a driver’s license has a DMV abstract. This abstract lists when you were licensed and any traffic offenses you were convicted of. A +5 point balance is the best number you can reach on your abstract. Every time you are convicted of a traffic offense, that number goes down, which can in turn affect your insurance rates. Before you prepay a traffic ticket online or go to court alone, come talk to us. We are experienced traffic attorneys that want to help you.

There are typically two types of probation in Virginia: supervised probation and unsupervised probation (good behavior). If you are on supervised probation, you will report to a probation officer and have to follow a list of probation rules. If you do not follow the rules, the probation officer may have you come back to court on a Probation Violation. During a Probation Violation, the court can impose an additional sentence, sometimes jail time, for your failure to follow the rules.

Good Behavior is another form of probation where you do not report to a probation officer, but are required to stay out of trouble for a specific period of time. If you get into trouble while on good behavior, you may have to go back to court to explain why you should not be punished for violating your probation. Sometimes a simple speeding ticket can be enough to violate your good behavior.

You need to have an experienced criminal defense attorney to help you with your Probation Violation. Our defense attorneys can review your original charges, the terms of your probation and the allegations against you.

If you are arrested and held without bond, you may want to ask the court for a bond hearing. You are entitled to have a bond hearing in General District or Juvenile Court. If bond is denied in those courts, you have the right to appeal your bond to the Circuit Court.

Bond hearings are important. The Court looks at two things when deciding whether to grant you a bond. First, are you a danger to yourself or the community? Second, if you are released on bond, will you return to court on your court date? You want to have an experienced criminal defense attorney who is familiar with these factors and can show the court that you may be deserving of a bond.

The criminal defense attorneys at 7 Cities Law have handled hundreds of bond hearings and bond appeals.