Altered Registration Violation In Virginia

Code 46.2-613 (2) Violation (Altered registration, displaying stickers belonging to another vehicle). Criminal offense, Class 2 misdemeanor, potentially 6 months in jail!!!

I have no police record of any kind; 1 moving violation (speeding) in the past 5 years. Never been to court in my life.

Do I need a lawyer? Will they keep me out of jail or would a public defender be adequate help here?

What chance is there that I'll go to jail?? I'm shocked that such a petty offense could carry a penalty of jail.

When I go to court is it necessary to dress up? (suit & tie, etc) jeans acceptable or not? Thank you for your help.

First of all, it is not a petty offense, tampering with your license plate/registration, etc. I would, first of all, alter your impression that its no big deal. It is a big deal to the judge who hears your case. Acting as though you understand the serioiusness of being truthful about such things very well may keep you out of jail.

I cannot imagine someone going to jail for a misdemeanor charge---what you are charged with isn't much more appreciable than speeding. And most people don't hire lawyers for such charges.. And yes, dressing respectfully to go to court is always appropriate and expresses a message of respect and deference, both which could help you in the long run.

Good luck.

Not much different than speeding?

It is apparent that driving without a valid license plate has escaped you. While there are speeding fines that are for more dollars, this charge is for literally STEALING a license sticker from another car. It implies that the person whose car is so "licensed" has stolen the value of the license from the state that collects funds for that license.

Theft is NOT equivalent to speeding. Some states charge a yearly tax based on the value of the car in order to license the car. In those states the charge of stealing could be in the hundreds of dollars.
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First, get the proper license and sticker on your car immediately. While it is possible that it occurred in error if you have multiple cars... or as a prank if someone else did it... it is still up to YOU to relicense your car by state statutes.

Read my posting again. My FIRST paragraph ESTABLISHED the SERIOUSNESS of the crime--and advised him to NOT take such a careless attitude about it.
To refresh your memory: First of all, it is not a petty offense, tampering with your license plate/registration, etc. I would, first of all, alter your impression that its no big deal. It is a big deal to the judge who hears your case. Acting as though you understand the serioiusness of being truthful about such things very well may keep you out of jail.
I then started a NEW paragraph, the subject of which is how the LAW VIEWS the crime in question. From a LEGAL standpoint (penalty wise) it isn't much different from speeding in that it is a MISDEMEANOR.

To refresh your memory, I clearly stated (notice the new paragraph--new idea and FULL SENTENCE which identifies it as a misdemeanor AS IS SPEEDING.
I cannot imagine someone going to jail for a misdemeanor charge---what you are charged with isn't much more appreciable than speeding.
As a woman who was widowed by someone being stupid behind the wheel of the car, I take a VERY serious view of speeding--and you know I have stated before I have never before received a moving violation. I don't speed. For you to suggest I was making a parallel between "Its not big deal, like speeding" displays your inablity to read and comprehend.

I was very clear.