Criminal Defense Lawyer in Newport News, Virginia
John J. Rice, Attorney & Counselor at Law
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707 Mobjack Place Newport News, Virginia 23606 USA |
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(757) 873-8809
(757) 873-3038
www.johnjrice.com
Contact the Firm
Law Firm Overview
John J. Rice, Attorney and Counselor at Law is a Newport News criminal defense lawyer with experience and empathy to guide clients through tough times.
Mr. Rice has been representing people with legal problems for more than 30 years. He brings to his law practice a strong sense of fair play, enthusiasm for the work of criminal defense, tenacity in seeking the best possible outcomes for my clients, and a real appreciation for the people he serves. He represents his clients as if they were members of his own family.
Mr. Rice served in the U.S. Army as an officer in Asia and the U.S., and as Commander of Company C, First Battalion. He received the Scabbard and Blade "Distinguished Military Graduate" award from the University of Richmond. He understands the effects that even a minor scrape with the law can have on a military career and is pleased to be able to assist active duty and retired military personnel when they face legal problems.
As a criminal defense lawyer, Mr. Rice represents the residents of Newport News, Virginia, and many surrounding communities. He represents officers and enlisted personnel from all branches of the Armed Forces. He represents many college students, often facing criminal charges for drug crimes, such as possession or sale of a controlled substance. He represents family members of college students pulled over for traffic offenses or drunk driving while visiting a local campus. He represents out-of-town tourists who have a run-in with the law while visiting Virginia on vacation.
Practice Areas
Additional Practice Areas: Petty Larceny, Grand Larceny, Marijuana (pot, weed), Oxycontin and Prescription Drugs, Amphetamines (speed), Ecstasy (X), Designer Drugs, Methamphetamines (meth, crystal meth), LSD (acid), Cocaine and Crack, PCP (angel dust), Heroin (horse), Weapons Charges, Underage Drinking - Possession of Alcohol
Practice Areas Description
John J. Rice, Attorney and Counselor at Law handles the following types of criminal charges and traffic offenses:- Traffic Violations
A traffic violation is a criminal offense. Driving is a privilege that most of us cannot easily live without. Losing your license will change your life. If you've been charged with a traffic offense in the Newport News, Virginia, area, you must take prompt action to address the criminal charge. As a Newport News traffic violation lawyer, Mr. Rice represents hundreds of residents of the Newport News area every year. He also defends tourists caught in speed traps as they pass through town, active duty or retired members of the military stationed at nearby military bases, parents of a local college students visiting their kids at school, and many college students. In his criminal defense law practice, Mr. Rice defends people on these and other traffic violations and motor vehicle offenses: Moving violations, Speeding / drag racing, Reckless driving, Insurance violations, Failure to stop for a police officer, DUI / Driving Under the Influence, Underage drinking and driving, Habitual offender drunk driving, Open container, Outstanding traffic warrants, Failure to pay parking tickets or speeding tickets, Failure to appear in court, Driving on a suspended license, and Driving on a revoked license.
- Driving On Suspended or Revoked License
People convicted multiple times for DUI or serious traffic offenses, may have the driver's license suspended or revoked. If you are arrested for driving with a suspended or revoked license, you face jail, fines, and a permanent criminal record. In certain cases, habitual offenders may have the driving privileges permanently revoked in the state of Virginia. The law office of John J. Rice advises and represents clients who have lost their driver's license due to the following: DUI / Drunk driving, Excessive speeding, Reckless endangerment, Passing loading / unloading school bus, Driving with a revoked / suspended license, and Hit and run.
- Underage Drinking - Possession of Alcohol - DUI
Under Virginia state law, anyone under the age of 21 who drinks and drives is guilty of a class 1 misdemeanor. Unlike adults, a young driver need only register a 0.02 blood alcohol count (BAC) or higher to be in violation of the law. If convicted of underage drinking and driving, the penalties involved could include any of the following: license suspension for up to a year and a half to one year; a minimum fine of up to $500; up to 50 hours of community service; required attendance at an Alcohol Safety Action Program.
- DUI / Drunk Driving
If your blood alcohol level (BAC) is .08 or more, you will be charged with driving under the influence (DUI). If the first time you are arrested for drunk driving with a BAC of 15 to 19, you will get a mandatory jail sentence of 5 days. If it's 2 or higher, you will be in jail for 10 days. Virginia DUI laws are harsh. If you're convicted of drunk driving in Virginia, you will likely be sentenced to a driver safety program, and will face significant fines, jail time, and short-term suspension or revocation of your driver's license.
In his law practice Mr. Rice defends many out-of-town visitors or tourists who came to town for a campus tour or a job interview but left with a ticket for drunk driving. About 1/3 of my clients are active duty or retired military personnel for whom a drunk driving charge will have very serious implications for their military career.
- Theft Crimes
Theft crimes are as often the result of an addiction as the result of greed. People caught in the throes of drug addiction, alcohol addiction, gambling addiction, or sex addiction, often steal to support their habit. Addiction is not a defense before the law, however. The penalties you face for felony shoplifting or embezzlement will be as severe as those for burglary. Defense strategies for theft crimes are few and it takes an experienced attorney to understand what options may be available to you in any given court. If you've been charged with a theft crime. In his criminal defense law practice, Mr. Rice defends people on these and other types of property crimes and theft charges: Embezzlement; Petty larceny (under $200); Grand larceny (more than $200); Credit card Fraud; Passing bad checks; Shoplifting; Possession of stolen property; Credit card Theft; Property theft; Car theft; Burglary; and Credit card Forgery.
- Drug Crimes
An arrest on drug charges—possession, sale, or distribution—will change your future in an instant. A promising academic career may be cut short. A military career may end. You can lose your job. As a Newport News drug possession lawyer , Mr. Rice has defended people on charges of possession, sale, and distribution of: Marijuana (pot, weed); Oxycontin and prescription drugs; Amphetamines (speed); Ecstasy (X); Designer drugs; Methamphetamines (meth, crystal meth); Cocaine and crack; LSD (acid); PCP (angel dust); and Heroin (horse).
- Weapons Charges
Weapons charges at the state or federal level can result in prison, fines, and a permanent criminal record. In cases involving modification of firearms or the illegal sale of weapons, the actions of investigators and informants can determine whether the charges should be dismissed or reduced. The law office of John J. Rice represents clients involving the following:
· Possession of a firearm while an active restraining order is in effect
· Owning a saw-off shotgun
· Owning a silencing device
· Modifying a semi-automatic to an automatic weapon
· Possessing a firearm while on parole or probation
· Carrying a concealed weapon
· Illegal sale of a firearm
· Failure to register a firearm
· Possession of illegal ammunition
- Violent Crimes - Murder, Assault, Rape
In most violent crimes, including murder, rape, and assault, police assume the victim knew his or her attacker. As a result, a family member, friend, romantic interest, or acquaintance can find themselves under investigation and arrested with little more than circumstantial evidence.
John J. Rice consults forensic experts, hair and fiber analysts, DNA specialists, and a host of other investigative professionals in defending my clients. As a criminal defense attorney with over 30 years of experience, Mr. Rice knows how difficult it is to properly secure a crime scene, collect and preserve evidence properly, and pursue alternative leads. The fact is, most police departments face budgetary and manpower constraints that mean not all crimes are investigated as thoroughly as they should be.
- Rape and Sexual Assault
Allegations of rape, sexual assault, or child molestation involve the collection of hair and fiber strands, DNA samples, and other fragile evidence. If collected improperly or handled carelessly, samples can degrade or become tainted. As a criminal defense lawyer with over 35 years of experience, Mr. Rice understands how to identify mistakes on the part police, crime scene technicians, and investigators.
He also realizes people who make accusations of rape and sexual assault can be emotionally and psychological disturbed. At the law office of John J. Rice, Mr. Rice consults a wide range of experts and forensic specialists in defending his clients. He interviews witnesses, inquires into the medical and psychological background of an alleged victim, and provides evidence that contradicts the story told by the prosecution.
- Murder / Manslaughter
Murder and manslaughter cases are seldom straightforward, regardless of the evidence prosecutors initially claim to have against a suspect. Even if it is clear that the accused is responsible for the death of the victim, the degree of responsibility and criminality will depend on establishing the state of mind of the defendant at the time of the alleged murder or crime.
As a criminal defense lawyer with over 35 years of experience, Mr. Rice understands the limitations and difficulties prosecutors face when trying to establish motive and state of mind in murder and manslaughter cases. He also realizes police don't always secure crime scenes properly, handle evidence carefully, or interview all relevant witnesses. At the law office of John J. Rice, Mr. Rice exposes the mistakes of police investigators while providing information and evidence that contradicts the official story of the prosecution.
Attorneys
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Mr. John J. Rice
Partner Controlled Substances, Credit Card Fraud, Criminal Defense, Criminal Law, Drug Crime |
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