Malicious Woundings on Rise in Henrico?

This week a student at Virginia Randolph High School in Henrico County, which abuts Richmond, was arrested on charges of shooting at other students in the school's parking lot. Thankfully, no one was injured. Although the accused is a juvenile, his use of a gun has prompted prosecutors to seek to have him tried as an adult, and if they are successful, he will face a harsher punishment if convicted.

Malicious wounding cases appear to be on the rise in this part of Virginia. Recently, the son of Henrico Commonwealth's Attorney Wade Kizer had malicious wounding charges against him dismissed after prosecutors agreed the injury he inflicted on another young man was the result of their "mutual combat."

In August, I successfully defended a 23 year old facing 80 years in prison on two counts of attempted malicious wounding and four other related charges. I was able to convince the Henrico County jury that my client was not shooting at the two drug dealers who filed the complaint, but rather at their car engine in an attempt to disable it so he could prevent his heroin-addict employer from buying drugs from them.

Malicious wounding, and attempted malicious wounding, are serious charges that carry severe penalties. If a firearm is used or displayed, a separate charge will be often added, one that carries a potential mandatory minimum prison sentence of 3 years. People facing such charge should find the most competent attorney to represent them.