Vermont Criminal Defense Laws

Aggravated sexual assault, aggravated sexual assault of a child, sexual assault, and sexual exploitation of a minor have no statute of limitations and may be prosecuted at any time.

Burglary, robbery, grand larceny, embezzlement, forgery, bribery, false claims, fraud, and lewd and lascivious conduct must be charged within 6 years of the offense.

Vermont allows expungement of records where the underlying conduct is no longer a crime, and sealing of qualifying misdemeanor convictions (after 3 years) and felony convictions (after 7 years). DUI misdemeanors require a 10-year wait. Significantly revised effective July 1, 2025.

It is unlawful to operate a vehicle with a BAC of 0.08 or more (0.04 for commercial vehicles, 0.02 for school buses). First offense: up to $750 fine, up to 2 years imprisonment, 90-day license suspension. Penalties escalate with subsequent offenses and high BAC (0.16+).

Vermont does not use numbered felony classes. A felony is any offense with a potential sentence exceeding 2 years. A misdemeanor is any offense with a potential sentence of 2 years or less. Penalties are set on a crime-by-crime basis.

A needy person who is being detained or charged with a serious crime is entitled to be represented by an attorney at public expense at every stage of the proceedings.