Criminal Defense Lawyer

Have you been charged with a crime in Virginia state or federal court? An experienced attorney can make all the difference.

A knowledgeable, battle-tested lawyer can mean the difference between a prison sentence and a dismissed charge. The success of our criminal defense team has helped us achieve the highest of merits including:

We Know the Local Courts

Every county and courthouse has its own unique procedures. The criminal court process in the United States Federal District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, for example, differs significantly from the process in Virginia Beach Circuit Court.

We assign each of our Virginia state and federal criminal defense attorneys to a specific set of courthouses. By working day in and day out in the same places, we develop relationships with judges, prosecutors, probation officers and court staff. Moreover, we know "how things work" in particular courtrooms and with certain prosecuting agencies. We've learned whom to talk to, who has discretion and the most effective ways to get the job done.

The criminal law team at Wolcott Rivers Gates doesn’t pretend to be a firm that will represent you against criminal charges throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia. Instead we know that we are most effective as criminal defense attorneys right in our own backyard of Hampton Roads. We limit our federal and state criminal defense to Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Chesapeake, Portsmouth, Hampton, Isle of Wight, Suffolk, Accomack, North Hampton and the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia.

Legal "Second Opinions"

Perhaps you already have a Virginia state or federal criminal defense attorney, and you are unsure of your attorney’s tactics. You need to make a major life decision, and you're not sure what to do.

We can evaluate your case and offer independent judgment about your options and the merits of each. Then, we can give you a legal second opinion.

Often times, we may agree with your current attorney's position. Or after a careful review we may suggest a different approach. In every situation, our advice will be (a) unbiased, (b) independent, (c) with your best interest in mind and (d) based on a careful analysis of all the facts and law.

Bond & Release Help

If your loved one is in custody or you have an outstanding warrant, the Wolcott Rivers Gates criminal defense lawyers can locate a bail bondsmen. In the event your loved one is in custody or you are not released, we are quick to arrange a bond hearing.

Protecting Your Rights

Our criminal law attorneys have in-depth knowledge of the court system and can take on any case. We understand a criminal conviction often carries a litany of adverse consequences that can impact your life. The risk to your freedom and livelihood is too great to trust to just anyone. We know how to negotiate, investigate and protect your rights in any criminal charge.

Finally, we approach every case with confidence and a focus on personal service. We will keep you informed about your legal proceedings every step of the way.

What type of criminal charges do we defend?

ALL OF THEM!