Possession or use of a machine gun is a federal offense under 18 U.S.C. § 922(o), carrying severe penalties including up to 10 years in federal prison. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. has extensive criminal defense experience in Goochland County and the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia. Call (888) 437-7747 for a consultation by appointment.
Possession or Use of a Machine Gun Lawyer in Goochland County, Virginia
Federal law under 18 U.S.C. § 922(o) makes it unlawful for any person to transfer or possess a machine gun, except for certain authorized government entities. A machine gun is defined under 26 U.S.C. § 5845(b) as any weapon that shoots, is designed to shoot, or can be readily restored to shoot automatically more than one shot without manual reloading by a single function of the trigger. This includes parts and conversion kits. Violations are prosecuted in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, which has jurisdiction over Goochland County. Founded in 1997 by Mr. Sris, former prosecutor — Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C., Advocacy Without Borders, brings 120+ years combined legal experience.
Last verified: May 2026 | U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia | 18 U.S.C. § 922(o) (Cornell LII)
For the official statute text, visit 18 U.S.C. § 922(o) (Cornell LII — official site). For federal sentencing guidelines, see U.S. Sentencing Guidelines (USSC.gov — official site).
In the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, prosecutors routinely seek maximum penalties under federal mandatory minimum statutes for machine gun possession. The court is known for its “rocket docket,” moving cases quickly from indictment to trial.
- Do not speak to law enforcement without your attorney present.
- Preserve all evidence and documents related to the alleged offense.
- Contact a federal criminal defense lawyer immediately.
- Attend all court hearings and comply with pretrial conditions.
- Work with your attorney to explore defense strategies, including challenging the legality of the search or seizure.
- Consider negotiating a plea agreement if the evidence is strong.
In Goochland County, possession or use of a machine gun carries a federal penalty of up to 10 years in prison under 18 U.S.C. § 924(a)(2).
| Offense | Classification | Incarceration | Fine | License Impact | Additional Consequences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Possession of a Machine Gun (18 U.S.C. § 922(o)) | Federal Felony | Up to 10 years | Up to $250,000 | N/A (federal offense) | Loss of firearm rights, supervised release up to 3 years |
| Use of a Machine Gun During a Crime of Violence (18 U.S.C. § 924(c)) | Federal Felony | 30 years to life (mandatory minimum) | Up to $250,000 | N/A (federal offense) | Consecutive sentence, no parole |
Results may vary.
Bryan Block, Defense Attorney at Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. — Licensed in VA. Former Virginia State Trooper (15 years). View Bryan Block’s Profile
Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. has extensive criminal defense experience in Goochland County. While specific case results for possession or use of a machine gun charges are not available, the firm has 1 documented result in Goochland County for criminal matters: 1 reduced or amended. Results may vary.
Our location in Richmond is approximately 25 miles from the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia (Richmond Division), with access via I-64 and Route 250. If you need a possession or use of a machine gun lawyer near Goochland County, we serve the communities of Goochland, Crozier, and Oilville. 24/7 phone consultations — (888) 437-7747 — meetings by appointment only.
Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. — Richmond
7400 Beaufont Springs Drive, Suite 300, Room 395, Richmond, VA 23225
(804) 201-9009 | Toll-Free: (888) 437-7747 | Local: (804)201-9009
By appointment only.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between state and federal charges?
Yes. Federal charges are prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney with generally harsher penalties and no parole. An experienced federal defense attorney is critical.
Federal charges are prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia. They carry harsher penalties under the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, and there is no parole in the federal system. An experienced federal defense attorney is critical to handling these complex proceedings.
What is federal criminal court and how is it different in VA?
Yes. Federal criminal cases in VA are prosecuted by U.S. Attorneys in U.S. District Court and carry harsher sentencing guidelines than state charges. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. handles federal defense — (888) 437-7747.
Federal criminal cases in Virginia are prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Eastern or Western District of Virginia. The U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia has jurisdiction over Goochland County. Federal sentencing guidelines are stricter than state guidelines, and conviction rates exceed 90%. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. handles federal defense — (888) 437-7747.
How do federal sentencing guidelines work in Goochland County, Virginia?
Federal sentencing at U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia follows the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines — a points-based calculation using offense level and criminal history category.
Federal sentencing at U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia follows the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines — a points-based calculation using offense level and criminal history category. While advisory since Booker (2005), guidelines strongly influence sentencing. Mandatory minimum statutes override downward departures in many drug, firearm, and child exploitation offenses. Acceptance of responsibility, substantial assistance (§ 5K1.1), and safety-valve eligibility materially reduce exposure. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. — (888) 437-7747.
How does a Virginia lawyer defend against possession or use of a machine gun charges?
Defense strategies for possession or use of a machine gun in Virginia may include challenging evidence, examining procedural compliance, negotiating with prosecutors, and presenting mitigating factors.
Defense strategies for possession or use of a machine gun in Virginia may include challenging evidence, examining procedural compliance, negotiating with prosecutors, and presenting mitigating factors. An experienced attorney evaluates the specific facts under 18 U.S.C. § 922(o) to build the strongest possible defense.
What should I do if I am facing possession or use of a machine gun charges in Virginia?
If facing possession or use of a machine gun charges in Virginia, contact a federal criminal attorney immediately. Do not discuss the case with anyone except your lawyer.
If facing possession or use of a machine gun charges in Virginia, contact a federal criminal attorney immediately. Do not discuss the case with anyone except your lawyer. Preserve all relevant documents and evidence. The statute of limitations and court deadlines under Virginia law require prompt action.
For more information, visit our Conspiracy to Commit an Offense lawyer Virginia page. You may also find our Conspiracy to Commit an Offense lawyer Caroline County and Conspiracy to Commit an Offense lawyer Chesapeake pages useful. Additionally, explore our Trespass Defense Lawyer Goochland County and Cannabis Possession Lawyer Goochland County pages.
Last verified: May 2026. This page was generated on 2026-05-02.