Common Charges in West Virginia

Misdemeanors

• Driving Under the Influence (3rd offense can be a felony)

• Reckless Driving

• Shoplifting (3rd offense can be a felony)

• Petit Larceny

• Domestic Battery or Assault (3rd offense can be a felony)

• Stalking or Harassing (2nd offense can be a felony)

• Battery or Assault

• Involuntary Manslaughter

• Concealment or Removal of Minor Child (2nd offense can be a felony)

• Brandishing

Felonies

• Murder (first-degree murder is a capital offense in West Virginia, meaning a sentence of life without (not parole eligible) or life with mercy (meaning parole eligible after 15 years)

• Voluntary Manslaughter

• Concealment of a Dead Body

• Malicious Assault

• Assault during commission of a Felony

• Strangulation

• Robbery (first degree robbery (or aggravated robbery) is one of the few crimes in West Virginia in which the sentencing judge has broad discretion in the number of years that may be imposed for the sentence)

• Extortion

• Grand Larceny

• Kidnapping

• Wanton Endangerment

• Prohibited Person in Possession of a Firearm (commonly referred to as “Felon in Possession of a Firearm”)

• Sexual Offenses (Assault, Abuse, Sex Offense by a Parent, Guardian or Person in a Position of Trust, Failure to Register)

• Child Abuse (a felony child abuse charge is much different than a CPS case)