Felony Assault: Strangulation Abduction | Criminal Defense

DSK|Law criminal defense lawyer successfully defended our client charged with two Felony Assault charges: Strangulation, and Abduction, in Arlington, Virginia.  Our client pled guilty to a misdemeanor and the case will be dismissed in two years.

Following an argument in a hotel room, the police arrested our client for two Felony Assault charges: Strangulation and Abduction, after an argument in a hotel room.  When the police arrived the individual told police they had an argument with our client in the hotel room. The individual reported that our client choked them and prevented them from leaving the hotel room. However, they did not have injuries that matched what they told police.

On the day of the preliminary hearing the individual’s story was not consistent with what they told police.  Also, the evidence did not support the individual’s story.  Based on information from our investigation, the prosecutor agreed that the facts did not support the charges.  The DSK|Law criminal defense lawyer convinced the prosecutor to dismiss the abduction charge and reduce the strangulation charge to simple assault.  Simple assault is a misdemeanor.  The judge agreed to dismiss the assault charge in two years.

Penalties

Strangulation (Va. Code 18.2-51.6) is a class 6 felony punishable by up to 5 years in jail and a fine of up to $2500.  The prosecutor must prove that blood circulation or respiration was impeded by applying pressure to the neck.

Abduction (Va. Code 18.2-47) is a class 5 felony punishable by up to 10 years in jail and a fine of up to $2500.  The prosecutor must prove that an individual used force, threat, intimidation, or deception to seize, take, transport, or detain another person with the intent to deprive that person of their liberty.

If you are charged with strangulation or abduction, call DSK|Law and consult a criminal defense attorney with winning experience.