In the first part of this post, I discussed some Washington, DC alcohol related charges that typically involve college students. I would now look to take a closer look at some of these crimes.
In DC, simple assault is a misdemeanor punishable by up to 180 days in jail (DC Central Detention Facility) and/or a $1000 fine. In the grand scheme of DC crimes, this is not a major offense, but it is a very major event in the defendant’s life, and it is important to hire a Washington, DC criminal defense lawyer who understands this fact. In the case of malicious destruction of property in Washington, DC, this crime can be charged as either a felony or misdemeanor depending on the value involved. If the property is valued less than $200, the crime is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $1,000 and a maximum of 180 days in jail. If the property is valued at $200 or more, the crime can be charged as a DC felony punishable by up to a $5,000 fine and a maximum of 10 years in prison. While you might think of destruction of property as the type of vandalism done by juvenile defendants, think about how much a car windshield costs to replace after someone has thrown a beer bottle at it.
In the case of a DUI, or DWI, there are a lot of resources on this page to look at, but if you have been charged, it is important to speak with a DC DUI lawyer who understands that you can’t afford to take a quick guilty plea, and that you need someone who will fight for your rights in court. Getting charged with a DUI doesn’t mean that your life is over.
Before concluding this entry, I want to discuss ways in which college or university students are charged with sex crimes. It could be at a party or bar where a defendant is accused of groping another person. This may not seem like a big deal at the time, but it could be charged as fourth degree sexual abuse in Washington, DC. Far beyond any criminal penalties, being on the sex offender registry may be far worse. This is also the case when alleged victims claim they did not consent to sexual intercourse, or were too drunk to consent. These are serious charges, and you need an attorney that will handle your case with the respect and professionalism that it deserves.
