Top Criminal Defense Lawyers Near Me in Richmond Area

I have spent the last 43 years in a trying cases in Virginia and neighboring jurisdictions.   My practice was mostly criminal and insurance defense work for 20years and for the last 23 years it has been mostly representing plainitiffs in personal injury cases.  I have tried almost every conceivable personal injury case.  My results have earned me recognition as a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, a Fellow of the Virignia Law Foundation, and a member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum and numerous other Bar Associations.  I am presently the President of the Virginia State Bar, the mandatory Bar Association in Virginia with 45,000 members.  My firm is a small personl injury litigation firm consisting of Len Paris, Keith Marcus, and me.  We have over 100 years experience and an experienced staff to offer our clients.

I have spent my entire 23 year career dedicated to defending those charged with criminal offenses.  As the Capital Defender for Central and Southeastern Virginia for 10 years, I successfully represented clients in the highest profile cases charged with the toughest offenses.  I have experience handling the most serious cases in all parts of Virginia, from Tidewater to the Shenandoah Valley and everywhere in between. I am a Past-President of the Virginia Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and an Adjunct Professor at the University of Richmond School of Law.

I have been in practice since 2001 and I have always focused on domestic relations law.

I am a licensed attorney practicing law in the Commonwealth of Virginia. I have experience in the fields of Litigation, Contract Disputes, Corporate Governance, and Government Relations. I am also experienced in Criminal and Civil Litigation and am a goal oriented, hard-working individual.. I became an attorney to assist people during the most challenging times of their lives, whether that be criminal charges, eviction from their home, or outstanding debts. Too often, I came across individuals who were unaware of their legal rights and remedies. I believe the best feeling in the world is when I can see the relief of my clients as their weight of their legal troubles is lifted.. I look forward to continuing to provide legal assistance to past and future client in all areas of law.  If I can be of assistance in any way, do not hesitate to contact my office.. Member:. Virginia Bar AssociationHill-Tucker Bar AssociationNational Association of Professional WomenVirginia Trial Lawyers Association. Virginia Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers

I am a defense attorney because I firmly believe everyone deserves to be treated with basic human dignity. No matter where people come from, or what they are accused of doing, everyone deserves this basic level of respect. I also believe in the Constitution. We are guaranteed rights under the law and our rights only exist as long as there are people that are willing to defend them. I am proud of the work I do. Being a defense attorney is not just a job to me; it is what I do to serve our community and to fight for the type of world I want my own children to live in.. There are few feelings more thrilling than hearing the words “not guilty”. I love going to trial, arguing cases, and the strategy leading up to it. However, I also recognize that my duties as a lawyer extend beyond the courtroom. I take my role as a Counselor at Law seriously. All of my clients are unique and I work hard to understand their particular needs. I often encounter clients who are facing more than just legal problems and who are genuinely suffering. I take a more holistic approach and try to encourage strategies that help them get their lives going in a better direction. I genuinely care. That is not weakness; it is a point of pride.

I always knew I wanted to be like my grandfather, Richard Beliles, who was a great Kentucky trial lawyer.  He was the type of lawyer you read about or see on TV — defending the poor against the most serious criminal accusations, or defending African-Americans accused of terrible crimes in a community riddled with racism.  He always occupied an Atticus Finch type dimension in my mind, both in his success in the courtroom and his never ending pursuit of justice for the disenfranchised.. My other grandfather, Wendell Golden, was a Methodist missionary to several African countries from 1954 to 1989.  He was a vocal advocate for justice and fought against mistreatment of the Africans by the colonial countries.  This led to his church being vandalized in 1961 and his arrest by the Portuguese secret police for supporting the Africans in their revolt against colonial rule.  He was imprisoned for months before being expelled from the continent.  For the next 50 years, my grandfather never lost his passion for helping the poor and the under privileged, and he instilled that principle in all of his children and grandchildren.. The legacy of my grandfathers has inspired me to live a life dedicated to fighting racism and injustice in our society. I am proud to say that my background, education, and capabilities in the courtroom allow me to continue those noble goals everyday.. Education. I never considered joining the military until September 2001 when we woke up to watching those towers come down and the world change.  I was in my third year of college, and my childhood best friend and I showed up at the ROTC office the next day to answer our country’s call.  We knew then that the world had changed and that our place was in our nation’s service, like so many others in our generation that have answered the call since that day.. I had the privilege to attend the prestigious University of Virginia for my undergraduate degree as well as my law school degree. It was in law school where I realized that I had the opportunity to follow in the footsteps of my grandfather by becoming a true trial lawyer. The courtroom was exciting and intriguing.  It was fantastic to know that my commitment to ROTC in undergrad paved the road to my JAG career upon my successful graduation from law school.. Court-Martial Lawyer. I served for over a decade in uniform as a military lawyer. I joined the JAG Corps out of law school and passed the bar exam at only 23 years old.  I was assigned to Andersen AFB, Guam where I quickly became an Area Defense Counsel, becoming one of the youngest in the Air Force at 25 years old when I took position.  Looking back, it’s remarkable how much responsibility I was given at such a young age and with so little actual experience. I was thrown into the courtroom, as my skill for trying cases became clear quite early, despite my limited experience. As the Area Defense Counsel on Guam, I represented clients across the Pacific theater from Diego Garcia to Malaysia, to the Philippines, to Okinawa, Korea, Tokyo, Hawaii, and Alaska.  I did courts-martial across the Pacific during that time period and became devoted to defending my clients to the best of my ability.  I fell in love with the opportunity to defend someone’s rights, and came to love the stage and pageantry that a courtroom afforded me.  After two years in that position, I was recognized as the best Area Defense Counsel in the Air Force in the Pacific.. Because of my success in that position, I was elevated to the Air Force’s most coveted and respected position for courtroom attorneys: Senior Trial Counsel (prosecutor).  I was stationed at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, one of only two such positions covering all of Europe and the war-fighting missions in the Middle East.  It was the crown jewel of assignments in the Air Force JAG Corps.  I prosecuted and oversaw all of the sexual assault, child abuse, and homicide cases in that AOR for the next four years.  I traveled extensively and was in the courtroom almost every other week, sometimes multiple weeks back to back.  For me, being a prosecutor meant seeking a conviction where it was appropriate, but also ensuring the heavy-hand of the Government did not trample or compromise the rights of our servicemembers.  It was about pursuing the truth and achieving justice.  If the man I was prosecuting wasn’t guilty, I wasn’t going to prosecute him.  I wasn’t going to let an injustice happen.  And I was never going to win dirty.  If I won, it was going to be fair and by the rules.. Wilkerson Case. I was hand-selected to prosecute the Wilkerson case at Aviano Air Base in Italy in 2012.  That case is one of the most famous and publicized military cases in the last few decades.  I tried the case alongside my Colonel who has served as a powerful mentor to me.  It was a transformative experience that showed me that justice must be pursued no matter the cost to reputation or career.  Today, I proudly stand in the courtroom on the opposite side, but the lessons remain the same — my pursuit of justice will almost always bring judgment and derision from those who disagree, but the true test of character is the willingness to plow ahead and fight for righteousness.

Divorce is one of the most disruptive and emotional life events, requiring careful decision-making.When you are desperate and confused, we are here to help you find the answers you need. We understand how essential it is to have strong representation and expert guidance you can trust. The last thing you want is to feel like your needs aren’t being addressed during your divorce. Practicing law since 1996, Chris Macturk opened Evolution Divorce in 2017 to help people carefully navigate the process and pricing of divorce. Our goal is to help you safely maneuver the chaos of divorce so you can evolve into a more stable stage of your life.. Chris Macturk - FOUNDING ATTORNEYAn accomplished Richmond divorce and family lawyer, Chris Macturk wanted to change how he priced his services in a way that offered a closer, transparent, and unfettered working relationship with his clients. Often hearing complaints about the uncertainties and anxieties presented by hourly billing, he decided to change his business model and open a firm offering Pre-Agreed Pricing. Evolution was born. Chris has guided hundreds of individuals through separations, divorces and disputes over children and support. A Fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML), Chris is also past President of both the Henrico County Bar Association and the Metro Richmond Family Law Bar Association. He is an active member of the Virginia Bar Association, having served as the Chair of its Domestic Relations Section (2021-2022) and the City of Richmond Bar Association, having served as the chairperson of its Pro Bono Committee and a member of the Judicial Committee and the Administration of Justice Committee.

Christopher Bradshaw has worked at several government agencies, including the Richmond Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office, the Richmond Public Defender’s Office, and the Office of the Attorney General.  Drawing upon this experience, and having tried literally hundreds of cases to judges and juries alike, he has excelled as a trial lawyer.  By coupling his aggressive approach to pretrial motions with his prowess in the courtroom, Bradshaw proudly boasts a long record of favorable outcomes for his clients.

Charles R. Samuels has practiced law in Central Virginia since 2003.. Mr. Samuels represents clients in the Circuit, General District, and Juvenile and Domestic Relations Courts in the greater Richmond area. He also represents clients at the administrative level for federal disability cases.  He is admitted to practice in all state courts of Virginia, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit.. He practices in the areas of Social Security Law, Traffic Law, Guardianship/Conservatorship, and Criminal Defense law.. Mr. Samuels is a qualified Guardian ad litem for both children and incapacitated persons and is a former Virginia Supreme Court certified mediator for both the general district and juvenile and domestic relations courts.. Active in his community, Mr. Samuels is a former president of his neighborhood civic association and volunteers his time mentoring college students, law students and high school students each year.  He also represents people who have petitioned the court for protective orders on a pro bono basis.  Mr. Samuels served as City Councilman for the 2nd District of the City of Richmond, including serving two years as the President of the Richmond City Council. He has served on the Airport Commission, Venture Richmond Board of Directors, the Richmond Region Planning District Commision, Maymont Foundation, and the Greater Richmond Partnership.

Charles Inch, a Pennsylvania native, studied Computer Science at Shippensburg University before pursuing his dream of becoming a lawyer. After getting his undergraduate degree there he decided to move to Richmond and study law at University of Richmond and began practicing law in the fall of 2007.. Charlie Inch opened this law office in September of 2008. For the duration of his practice, he has focused on the areas of law that matter to the everyday Virginian. He enjoys helping his clients and is most satisfied when he achieves their goals. He has tried murder and child rape charges to juries, successfully winning both. He has brokered successful employment contracts for doctors and other prospective hirees, protecting them from dangerous language proposed by their future employers. He has handled difficult adoption cases, putting children in the arms of loving families.. Not only CAN he help you, he WANTS to help you.. What distinguishes him from many attorneys you have met is that he was raised in a blue collar family that stressed workmanship and savvy. Common sense was the first subject taught by his parents. Charlie starts every problem solving endeavor with a common sense approach that you will not often find among lawyers. screen-shot-2016-11-03-at-3-08-24-pm Although he has many talents, Charlie is a wonderful singer and spends a lot of his free time singing with the Richmond Symphony Chorus. He stays in shape by lifting weights and playing with his dog, Isis. When he has time, you’ll also find him elbow deep in his Jeep Wrangler working on some new fun modification or in the kitchen whipping up a delicious culinary creation of his own.

Caroline Butler is a relentless criminal defense attorney who fights for people facing the full force of the criminal legal system. She represents individuals charged with serious felony offenses—including robbery, drug distribution, and sex crimes—and is known for her strategic, aggressive defense both in and out of the courtroom.. Caroline understands firsthand that the criminal system is not always fair. Too often, it punishes poverty, overlooks context, and fails to deliver justice for those it targets most harshly. She fights to ensure her clients’ rights are respected and their voices heard.. At Coates, Battle, & Tyree, Caroline handles high-stakes criminal cases as well as civil matters like protective orders and contract disputes. Previously, she served as an Assistant Public Defender in Fredericksburg, where she defended hundreds of clients—many facing life-altering charges—with compassion, skill, and unwavering resolve.. Caroline earned her law degree from American University Washington College of Law, where she focused on criminal law and international human rights. Her legal experience spans continents, including work in Ghana and Senegal. While abroad, she collaborated with grassroots organizations to promote access to justice, expose systemic inequities, and advocate for the rights of underserved communities—experience that continues to inform her work in U.S. courtrooms today.. Clients come to Caroline when they feel like the system is stacked against them—and they stay because they know she will fight for them at every step.

Brian began his practice specializing in personal injury as well criminal defense before entering public service with the Hanover County Commonwealth’s Attorney Office. While serving as an Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney, Brian handled all matters of criminal prosecution and was the lead prosecutor for the County’s Vice Narcotics division, to include those investigations presented to the Multi Jurisdictional Grand Jury. In addition to his primary focus of complex narcotics investigation, Brian handled a wide variety of criminal matters ranging from traffic related offenses to violent crime. Prior to founding Jurach, Tacey & Quitiquit, PLC, Brian was in private practice with the law firm of Parcell & Webb, PC where he concentrated his practice on criminal defense and representing plaintiffs in personal injury suits. He continues to concentrate his practice on personal injury and criminal defense with specialization in the area of narcotics possession, distribution and transportation into the Commonwealth.

Born and raised in the Richmond area, Attorney Kevin E. Calhoun is dedicated to passionately defending the rights of those facing criminal charges throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia.  A criminal conviction can be devastating – it can result in substantial fines, prison or jail time, and even loss of employment. As a natural competitor, Mr. Calhoun zealously advocates for each of his clients in order to secure the best possible result and avoid the harsh consequences of a criminal conviction.. Mr. Calhoun’s background is what allows him to approach each of his client’s cases with confidence, motivation, and passion. As a graduate of Hampden-Sydney College, Mr. Calhoun was a successful student-athlete, leading the varsity tennis team in his role as team captain while also achieving high marks in his studies as a History major and Latin minor.  Mr. Calhoun went on to study law at the Campbell University School of Law where he primarily focused his studies on criminal law and trial advocacy, ultimately graduating with honors.  Mr. Calhoun effectively put his knowledge in criminal law to use by spending a majority of his time in law school interning at prosecutor’s office, where he gained invaluable experience by personally handling a variety of traffic and criminal offences. Since becoming a member of the Virginia State Bar, Mr. Calhoun has strongly and successfully advocated for each of his clients, representing them on traffic, misdemeanor, and felony charges in both the General District and Circuit Courts.. Mr. Calhoun believes that every client should have someone on their side who is willing to tirelessly fight for them, no matter the situation. Having represented clients in over 20 different cities and counties in Virginia, Mr. Calhoun aggressively advocates for justice and is committed to successfully representing his client in the courtroom and on appeal.

As an attorney, I am passionate about two things: solving problems and delivering results. I take pride in doing both with integrity, tenacity, and an unflagging commitment to my core guiding principles. My principles include always doing what I say I am going to do, upholding high ethical standards, and prioritizing personal communication with my clients so they are always informed.. I know first-hand what it's like to have your life turned upside-down by a car accident. I lived through the same experience as my injury clients when my own wife was in a devastating car accident, resulting in back surgery, a long hospital recovery, and rehabilitation that took almost two years. Her physical injuries healed, but our lives were forever changed. This personal experience and genuine empathy give me a unique perspective when representing injury clients. My priority is always to ease the burden of healing and help clients get their lives back as much as possible. I take on what could be emotionally charged interactions with insurance adjusters, so my clients don't have to re-live the details of their upsetting experience. This empowers my clients to focus on their own healing or caring for their loved one, and work on getting back to their job, their business, their family, and their life.. Many personal injury lawyers claim they fight for their clients in court. I also fight for my clients before we ever get to court, and I fight harder than most. If I do my job well, I will never have to put my clients through a trial. I leverage my knowledge, experience, and expertise earned over many years of successful representation to get the best outcomes for client's pre-litigation. I use cutting edge technology, advanced AI, and the same negotiation tactics used by the FBI in order to get the insurance companies to value the case for the "true" amount a jury would return, rather than the "typical" insurance offer. My propriety system is unique and has resulted in many cases resolving for liability limits very soon after being hired.. I also use my system with my other areas of practice, including general civil litigation, business litigation, and partition suits. My clients know me for my approachable and easygoing manner, my responsiveness, and my diligence. In the legal community and among my clients I've earned a reputation as a tough-but-fair professional who takes charge, is always at-the-ready to go the distance for my clients, and is willing to take on a complicated challenge others have turned down.. In my spare time I am a Points & Miles enthusiast who coaches people from all different backgrounds on how to travel the world for free.

Anne Roddy grew up in California and she received her undergraduate degree in Political Science and Public Law from the University of California, San Diego.   After college, Anne moved to Richmond, Virginia and attended the University of Richmond, T.C. Williams School of Law.  While in school, Anne interned in various prosecutor’s offices and she worked for a civil litigation firm.. Anne began her legal career as a law clerk in the Twelfth Judicial Circuit.  “I consider the time spent at my clerkship to be invaluable.  I was able to observe attorneys on a daily basis in the courtroom.  I had access to a large volume of different kinds of litigation matters, and was able to quickly gain valuable experience and knowledge.”. Anne has worked in mid-sized firms and she was a solo practitioner.  She represents parents and family members in divorce, custody, and visitation matters.  Anne is a certified Guardian ad litem.  In that capacity she is an advocate for children and for incapacitated adults.. “I have handled countless matters acting as a guardian ad litem for minor children, as defense attorney for children and adults, as well as counsel for parents and counsel for grandparents and other third party petitioners.  I have appeared in divorce, custody and visitation matters, delinquency cases, protective order hearings, Department of Social Services cases, and in contested adoption matters. My cases have involved juvenile court appearances through to appellate court arguments.”. “My experience in every capacity within the courtroom gives me a unique ability to assess the strengths and weaknesses of each case to best represent my clients.  I have significant experience in multiple jurisdictions that allows me to help my clients determine the best avenue for success.   Defining goals and reducing anxiety levels is a vital step in the process.  I enjoy my time in the courtroom but seek to reach amicable resolutions out of court, where possible.”. Anne is currently president elect of the Chesterfield Bar Association, and she is active in the Metro Richmond Women’s Bar Association as a Legislative Committee Member.  She is the Young Lawyer Representative on the Domestic Relations Council of the Virginia Bar Association.   Anne has served on the Richmond Bench Bar, most recently as the Chesterfield County Representative.. Recently, Anne coordinated the Chesterfield County Public Safety Wills for Heroes Program.  The program coordinated local attorneys, notaries, witnesses to provide wills and legal documents to public safety personnel at no cost.  Over two hundred wills were prepared.  “It felt wonderful to provide a valuable service to those in the community who are consistently serving others and ensuring our safety.”. Anne is licensed to practice law in the Commonwealth of Virginia and the State of California.

Annalisa fights to help her clients live their lives in the way that they want – without disruption from legal issues.  She works to make sure that seemingly insurmountable problems like divorce, criminal charges, or high dollar business disputes can be resolved as quickly as possible and with the client’s goals at the forefront.. Annalisa takes great pride in helping people who are going through a difficult period in their lives. She has handled more than 600 cases in the Virginia trial courts, and puts that experience to work for her clients.  Annalisa has a strong understanding of how to maneuver the legal system in order to obtain the best outcome possible for her clients.. When she's not in court or the office, you'll find Annalisa enjoying Richmond's excellent dining scene, volunteering at local festivals, or walking her dog in the Fan.

Andrew Meyer is a native of the Hampton Roads area who graduated from the University of Virginia with a B.A. in Philosophy. Andrew received his J.D. from the Appalachian School of Law in Grundy, Virginia. While at the Appalachian School of Law, Andrew was selected for Who's Who Among Students in American Universities & Colleges. While in law school, Andrew served as a clerk for the Portsmouth Circuit Court as well as a research assistant for the Legal Process Department at the Appalachian School of Law.. Prior to law school, Andrew was a financial advisor, a compliance officer, and a corporate recruiter.. Andrew is a member of the Virginia Bar Association, the Virginia Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and the Virginia Trial Lawyers Association. Andrew also serves as a PBA Referral Attorney for the Southern States Police Benevolent Association.

Andrew Beynton Carlson Wood was born and raised in Richmond, while also spending considerable time in Northumberland County in Virginia’s Northern Neck, where his mother was born and raised.  Andrew grew up in a household of practicing lawyers.  His father, Andrew W. Wood, began practicing law in 1967, and formed The Law Office of Wood & Wood, P.C. with his mother, Cheryl Carlson Wood, in 1981.. Andrew received his B.A. from the University of the South - Sewanee and his J.D. from the University of Richmond.  Prior to attending law school, he was an intern for Congressman Eric Cantor and volunteered with the Central Virginia Legal Aid Society.  During law school, he gained valuable courtroom experience as an intern with the Chesterfield County Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office, prosecuting felony and misdemeanor cases in Circuit Court and General District Court.. Areas Served:  City of Richmond, Henrico County, Chesterfield County, Goochland County, Louisa County, Fluvanna County, Buckingham County, Cumberland County, Powhatan County, Dinwiddie County, Amelia County, Nottoway County, Lunenburg County, Mecklenburg County, Brunswick County, Greensville County, City of Emporia, Southampton County, Sussex County, Surry County, Prince George County, City of Petersburg, City of Colonial Heights, Charles City County, James City County, New Kent County, King William County, King and Queen County, Middlesex County, Gloucester County, Mathews County, Caroline County, Essex County, Westmoreland County, Richmond County, Lancaster County, and Northumberland County.

Adam G. Northup is a graduate of Southern Vermont College and Roger Williams School of Law. He interned with the Rhode Island Public Defender’s Office and participated in the Roger Williams Criminal Defense Clinic during law school, which provided him with the tools and experience to handle Criminal and Traffic Tribunal cases. A large portion of Attorney Northup's practice is dedicated to Family Law, including divorce, cusotdy, and child support cases.