Top Best Criminal Defense Lawyers | 26139 Available

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.

Attorney Keith A. Jones practices family law (divorce/custody) and criminal defense from our Richmond and Williamsburg, Virginia offices of Smith Strong, PLC.. Keith Jones is an experienced trial lawyer, routinely in court on a weekly basis for almost 20 years.  Prior to joining Smith Strong, PLC in 2017, Keith worked for prominent law firms in Chesterfield County, Virginia and then maintained his own firm, Jones Law Group, P.C., also in Chesterfield County, Virginia, which enjoyed a solid reputation for his courtroom advocacy.. Prior to entering private practice in 2000, Keith Jones served in the United States Navy for 8 years after graduation from VCU.. Keith has litigated over 1,000 cases in over 15 jurisdictions from central Virginia through the Tidewater Virginia area--an experienced, calming voice for our clients.. Keith is a member of the Virginia State Bar, Chesterfield County Bar Association, and former member of the Virginia Trial Lawyers Association.. Outside of the courtroom, Keith is an active member of his community, having hosted over 8 charity golf events for local causes.  As Keith's children attend high school in Chesterfield County, Virginia, Keith maintains an active coaching schedule with their athletics.. Keith grew up in New Jersey, but has been proud to call Chesterfield, Virginia home since entering private practice in 2000.  Keith also attended college at VCU in Richmond, Virginia in the early 1990s, before entering the U.S. Navy, then returning to central Virginia after military service.

Mr. Sommers retired from the United States Air Force at the rank of Major after 22 years flying fighter aircraft.  Mr. Sommers has been admitted to practice before the United States District Courts for the Fourth Circuit and the Tenth Circuit and all Virginia Courts. He is a member of the American Trial Lawyers Association, the Virginia Trial Lawyers Association, Virginia Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, Aviation Section of the Texas Bar Association, the American Bar Association, and the Lawyer-Pilot Bar Association, as well as each state’s Bar Association he is licensed in.  Mr. Sommers has extensive experience in all types of trial litigation and specializes in personal injury, criminal defense, medical malpractice, product liability, aviation crash litigation, as well as general civil litigation in state and federal courts.  A member of The Million Dollar Advocates Forum, the most prestigious group of trial lawyers in the United States.  Nominated by the American Institute of Personal Injury Attorneys as 10 Best for 2015 and 2016.

I am a retired Naval Legal Officer, having been the Navy for over 22 years.  I got my legal education at Regent University School of Law and passed the bar in 1995.  Since that time I have tried thousands of criminal cases of all types.  I also have practice in the area of family law for the same period of time.  I have been successful in hundreds of legal custody cases and  thousands of divorces, both contested and uncontested.  If you are looking for someone who will understand your situation, give you sound legal advice, and represent you in court to a reasonable conclusion, then you do not need to search any further.  My motto:  Good Legal Representation does not have to cost a fortune.

Tom Garrett grew up in Central Virginia and earned an ROTC scholarship at the University of Richmond prior to serving over five years in active duty as an Artilllery officer.  Following military service Tom attended T.C. Williams School of Law and worked in both federal and state court in the Office of the Virginia Attorney General.  Later Tom was elected Commonwealths Attorney in Louisa County,  As the top prosecutor in the county, Tom worked cases ranging from armed robbery and murder.  In 2011, Tom was elected to represent 200,000 citizens in Virginia's 22nd Senate District which  covers and area the size of Delaware and runs from Lynchburg to suburban Richmond.  In the senate Garrett serves as a member of the Courts of Justice and General Laws committees.  In the private sector, Garrett represents clients across the Commonwealth of Virginia.