Firearm by Felon Lawyer King William County, VA
If you are facing a charge of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon in King William County, Virginia, the potential consequences are severe. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C., founded in 1997, practices criminal defense across Virginia, Maryland, the District of Columbia, New Jersey, and New York. Mr. Sris, a former prosecutor, and his Of Counsel, which includes a former Virginia State Trooper, bring decades of combined legal experience to each case. To discuss your situation with a defense lawyer, call (888) 437-7747.
What Firearm by Felon Means in King William County
King William County sits in Virginia’s Ninth Judicial District, and its courts handle firearm-by-felon cases with the same seriousness applied throughout the Commonwealth. The King William County General District Court at 351 Courthouse Lane, Suite 201, King William, VA 23086, conducts initial appearances and preliminary hearings for felony firearm charges. Because possession of a firearm by a felon is a felony, the matter ultimately proceeds to the King William County Circuit Court for indictment and trial if the case moves forward. The Commonwealth’s Attorney for King William County prosecutes these offenses, and the proceedings follow the Virginia Rules of Criminal Procedure.
King William County is a rural locality, bounded by the Mattaponi and Pamunkey Rivers, with its major communities—King William, West Point, and Aylett—served by the county court. Our Richmond Location, at 7400 Beaufont Springs Drive, Suite 300, Room 395, Richmond, VA 23225, represents clients in King William County matters. Because the area has no public transit and limited legal resources, having an attorney familiar with the local court can make a meaningful difference. Reach our location at (888) 437-7747 to schedule a consultation by appointment.
Penalties for Firearm Possession by a Felon in Virginia
Under Va. Code § 18.2-308.2, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon is a Class 6 felony, punishable by 1 to 5 years in prison, or up to 12 months in jail at the discretion of the jury. If the prior felony was a violent felony within the preceding 10 years, a mandatory minimum sentence of 2 years applies. If the firearm was loaded and the prior felony was a violent felony, the mandatory minimum rises to 5 years.
Source: Va. Code § 18.2-308.2.
Reviewed by Mr. Sris, admitted in VA/MD/DC/NJ/NY.
A conviction for firearm by felon carries not only incarceration but also a lifetime loss of the right to possess firearms under federal law. The charge may also affect professional licenses, employment, housing, and immigration status. Because Virginia does not offer true judicial plea bargaining—only the Commonwealth’s Attorney has the authority to amend or reduce charges—the defense strategy requires careful scrutiny of the evidence and procedural compliance.
Court Procedure in King William County
A firearm by felon case typically begins with an arrest and a bond hearing before a magistrate. The defendant appears for arraignment and a preliminary hearing in King William County General District Court. At the preliminary hearing, the Commonwealth must show probable cause. If probable cause is established, the case is certified to the Circuit Court, where a grand jury may return an indictment. The Circuit Court handles the trial, which can be before a jury if the defendant elects. Throughout this process, pretrial motions can challenge the legality of the search, the basis for the stop, or the reliability of witness identifications.
Defendants have an absolute right to a jury trial in Circuit Court for any felony carrying potential jail time. First-offender dispositions are not available for this offense, but experienced counsel can negotiate with the prosecutor for a possible reduction to a misdemeanor or an amendment to a lesser charge if the evidence allows. Every case depends on the specific facts, and there is no standard timeline; the court sets the schedule based on its calendar and the complexity of the matter.
How Mr. Sris and His Of Counsel Handle Firearm By Felon Cases
Mr. Sris, a former prosecutor, and his Of Counsel—including a former Virginia State Trooper with 15 years of law enforcement service—approach each case with an integrated understanding of prosecution tactics and police procedure. This combined perspective allows them to examine whether law enforcement followed proper investigative protocols, whether the stop and search were constitutionally valid, and whether the evidence can withstand scrutiny at trial.
The firm practices in all five jurisdictions—Virginia, Maryland, District of Columbia, New Jersey, and New York—but concentrates its Virginia criminal defense work on major felonies, including firearm-by-felon charges. Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel have handled matters in Virginia courts from Fairfax to the Richmond area, and they are familiar with the practices of Commonwealth’s Attorneys across the state. If you have been charged, early engagement allows counsel to evaluate the case while evidence is fresh and to advise you before any statement is made to law enforcement.
Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel have documented 4,739+ case results across all practice areas since 1997. Results may vary.
Source: Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. Case records, 1997–present.
Reviewed by Mr. Sris, admitted in VA/MD/DC/NJ/NY.
About Mr. Sris and His Of Counsel Team
Mr. Sris, Owner and Founder of Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C., has practiced law since 1997. He is a former prosecutor with experience in criminal trial work and is admitted in Virginia, Maryland, the District of Columbia, New Jersey, and New York. Mr. Sris testified before the Virginia House Courts of Justice Committee in support of 2019 HB 635 (chief patron Del. David Bulova).
His Of Counsel team includes attorneys with backgrounds in prosecution and law enforcement, including a former Virginia State Trooper who served 15 years in the field. Together, Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel bring over 120 years of combined legal experience. Results may vary. The team works collaboratively on each matter, drawing on its diverse perspectives to build a thorough defense.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do if I am facing firearm by felon charges in King William County?
Contact a criminal defense attorney immediately and do not discuss the case with anyone except your lawyer. Preserve any relevant documents, photographs, or messages. The court deadlines and evidentiary requirements demand prompt action, and early legal guidance helps protect your rights from the first interaction with law enforcement. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. can be reached at (888) 437-7747.
How does a Virginia lawyer defend against firearm by felon charges?
Defense strategies in firearm-by-felon cases often focus on challenging the legality of the search, the reliability of the evidence, and the prosecution’s ability to prove the defendant knew he or she was a convicted felon. An attorney may also examine whether the stop was supported by reasonable suspicion, whether the firearm was in the defendant’s actual or constructive possession, and whether any constitutional violations require suppression of the evidence. Each case is evaluated on its own facts under Va. Code § 18.2-308.2.
What is the penalty for a misdemeanor in King William County, Virginia?
A Class 1 misdemeanor in Virginia carries up to 12 months in jail and a $2,500 fine; a Class 2 misdemeanor carries up to 6 months and a $1,000 fine. While firearm-by-felon is a felony, many criminal charges begin as misdemeanors, and understanding the misdemeanor classification system helps frame the possible outcomes if a felony charge is amended. Cases are heard at the King William County General District Court. Results may vary.
Can criminal charges be expunged in King William County?
Virginia allows expungement for acquittals, dismissals, and nolle prosequi under Va. Code § 19.2-392.2, but most felony convictions cannot be expunged. For a firearm-by-felon charge that results in a non-conviction disposition, an expungement petition may be filed in King William County Circuit Court. Because expungement eligibility depends entirely on the final outcome, an attorney’s early involvement can affect the record later.
How does bail work in King William County?
After an arrest, a magistrate sets bond; personal recognizance is common for first-offense misdemeanors, while secured bond is typical for felony charges. For a felony firearm charge, the magistrate may set a secured bond requiring a bail bondsman. The bond decision can be appealed to the King William County General District Court. An attorney can present arguments for a lower bond or recognizance at that hearing.
What is the difference between General District Court and Circuit Court in King William County?
The General District Court handles misdemeanor trials and felony preliminary hearings, while the Circuit Court handles felony trials and appeals from the lower court. Because firearm by felon is a felony, the preliminary hearing occurs in General District Court, and the indictment and trial take place in Circuit Court. Defendants have an absolute right to a jury trial in Circuit Court for any offense carrying potential jail time.
Do I need a lawyer for a firearm by felon charge in King William County?
Yes, because a conviction can result in prison time, a permanent felony record, and the loss of firearm rights. Even if you believe the evidence is weak, an attorney can evaluate whether procedural defenses, evidentiary challenges, or negotiation with the prosecutor may lead to a dismissal or reduction. The King William County Commonwealth’s Attorney prosecutes these cases actively, and self-representation carries significant risks.
Can a convicted felon get firearm rights restored in Virginia?
Virginia does not provide an automatic mechanism for a felon to regain firearm rights after a conviction; restoration is possible only through a gubernatorial pardon or federal relief. A state felony firearm disability under Va. Code § 18.2-308.2 is separate from the federal prohibition under 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1). An attorney can explain the limited pathways that may be available depending on the nature of the underlying conviction.
Criminal defense lawyers in other Virginia localities: Fairfax County, Prince William County, Manassas (City).
Primary legal resources: Virginia Code Title 18.2 (Crimes and Offenses) ? King William County Courts.
Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Results may vary.
Case results depend on a variety of factors unique to each case.