Henrico County misprision of a felony under 18 U.S.C. § 4 carries up to 3 years in federal prison. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. has 4,739+ firm-wide results. A Misprision of a Felony lawyer Henrico County can help you understand your rights. Contact us 24/7.
Last verified: April 2026 | Henrico County General District Court | 18 U.S.C. § 4 (official U.S. Code)
Statutory Definition of Misprision of a Felony
Misprision of a felony is a federal crime under 18 U.S.C. § 4. It occurs when someone, knowing a felony has been committed, conceals the crime and fails to report it to federal authorities. The government must prove: (1) a felony was committed by another person; (2) the defendant had knowledge of that felony; (3) the defendant failed to notify authorities; and (4) the defendant took an affirmative act of concealment. This is not a simple failure to report — the prosecution must show active concealment, such as hiding evidence or lying to investigators. A Misprision of a Felony lawyer Henrico County can evaluate whether the government can prove these elements in your case.
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Insider Procedural Edge
Henrico County federal cases are prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia (EDVA), Richmond Division. The EDVA is known for its aggressive prosecution of federal crimes, including misprision of a felony.
- Contact a Misprision of a Felony lawyer Henrico County immediately if you are under investigation.
- Do not speak to federal agents without counsel present.
- Preserve all evidence, including communications that may show you did not conceal the crime.
- Your attorney will file a motion to dismiss if the government cannot prove an affirmative act of concealment.
- Negotiate with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for a plea agreement or cooperation deal if applicable.
- Prepare for trial in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, Richmond Division.
Penalty Table
In Henrico County, misprision of a felony under 18 U.S.C. § 4 carries up to 3 years in federal prison and fines.
| Offense | Classification | Incarceration | Fine | License Impact | Additional Consequences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Misprision of a Felony | Federal Felony | Up to 3 years | Up to $250,000 | N/A (federal) | Federal criminal record, loss of civil rights, potential deportation for non-citizens |
Results may vary. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
E-E-A-T Authority Block
Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. was founded in 1997 by former prosecutor Mr. Sris. The firm has over 120 years of combined legal experience and has handled 4,739+ case results firm-wide across VA, MD, NJ, NY, and DC. Mr. Sris personally amended Va. Code § 20-107.3 (equitable distribution statute). The firm’s tagline is “Advocacy Without Borders.”
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
Matthew Greene, Senior Defense Attorney at Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. — Licensed in VA. 30+ years criminal defense. Death penalty certified (formerly). View Matthew Greene’s Profile
Case Results
Firm-wide across VA, MD, NJ, NY, and DC: 4,739+ documented results with a 93%+ favorable outcome rate. No locality-specific case results are available for misprision of a felony in Henrico County.
Results may vary. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Local Pack Trigger Block
Our Richmond location serves clients at Henrico County courts (4301 East Parham Road), accessible via I-64, I-95, I-295, Route 250 (Broad Street), Route 1, Route 33. Misprision of a Felony lawyer Henrico County near Short Pump Town Center, Innsbrook Corporate Center, Richmond International Airport, Regency Square. Serving Glen Allen, Short Pump, Innsbrook, Tuckahoe, Highland Springs, Mechanicsville (partial). 24/7 phone consultations — (888) 437-7747 — meetings by appointment only.
Toll-Free: (888) 437-7747 | Local: (804)201-9009
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between misprision of a felony and being an accessory?
Yes. Misprision of a felony (18 U.S.C. § 4) involves knowing about a felony and concealing it without participating. Being an accessory (18 U.S.C. § 3) requires actually assisting the felon to avoid arrest or prosecution. A Misprision of a Felony lawyer Henrico County can explain which charge applies to your situation.
Can I be charged with misprision of a felony if I did not report a crime?
It depends. The government must prove you took an affirmative act of concealment, not just failed to report. Simply staying silent is not enough. A failure to report crime defense lawyer Henrico County can evaluate whether the government has evidence of active concealment.
What is the penalty for misprision of a felony in federal court?
Up to 3 years in federal prison and a fine of up to $250,000 under 18 U.S.C. § 4. Sentencing depends on the underlying felony and the defendant’s criminal history. A concealment of felony lawyer Henrico County can help negotiate a favorable outcome.
Does misprision of a felony require knowledge of the underlying crime?
Yes. The government must prove you had actual knowledge that a felony had been committed. Constructive knowledge or suspicion is not enough. A Misprision of a Felony lawyer Henrico County can challenge the knowledge element if the evidence is weak.
Can I be charged with misprision of a felony if I was not involved in the crime?
Yes. Misprision of a felony does not require participation in the underlying crime. It only requires knowledge and concealment. A failure to report crime defense lawyer Henrico County can advise you on your legal obligations and potential defenses.
What should I do if I am under investigation for misprision of a felony?
Contact a concealment of felony lawyer Henrico County immediately. Do not speak to federal agents without counsel. Preserve any evidence that may show you did not conceal the crime. Your attorney can negotiate with the U.S. Attorney’s Office or prepare a defense for trial.
Internal Links
- Virginia Federal Criminal Lawyer
- Albemarle County Federal Criminal Lawyer
- Alexandria Federal Criminal Lawyer
- Henrico County Business Lawyer
- Henrico County Civil Litigation Lawyer
- Mr. Sris — Former Prosecutor
- Richmond Office Location
Last verified: April 2026. Information current as of 2026-02-20. Laws change — contact Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747 for updated guidance.