Highest Rated Staunton VA Lawyers • 1500+ Reviews
Riley & Wells Attorneys-At-Law is an established law firm that concentrates its Staunton VA law practice defending clients accused of criminal law offenses, which include DUI / DWI, reckless driving, speeding & traffic violations. We are recognized as a “Best Law Firm” by U.S. News & World Report for superior legal ability and ethical standards. Law enforcement in Staunton VA is serious about enforcing the criminal & traffic laws. Our attorneys in Staunton Virginia understand the nuances of the law. We are familiar with the Courts because we represent clients charged with criminal & traffic law offenses everyday. Our firm has been positively reviewed more times than any other law firm that represents clients charged with Staunton VA criminal offenses & traffic violations.
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30,000+ Clients Represented
1500+ Client Reviews
60+ Years of Combined Experience
Staunton VA Circuit & District Court Trial Lawyers
Staunton is located in central Virginia and is known for its historic charm, small-town feel, and being the birthplace of Woodrow Wilson. Staunton is an independent city surrounded by Augusta County and is home to Mary Baldwin University. The community is along the Interstate 81 & Interstate 64 interchange corridor. Staunton Police, State Police and other local law enforcement agencies aggressively enforce I-81, I-64 as well the rest of the community. All cases are eventually set for trial before the Judge. Do not plead guilty to your case. Contact a lawyer who specializes in defending Staunton cases. In Virginia, a conviction is permanent and cannot be expunged.
Most Rated Staunton Lawyers That Present Your Best Defense
Free Consultation with Most Rated Staunton VA Lawyers
Some folks think they do not need a Staunton VA attorney to defend their criminal case or traffic violation. For criminal cases, a lack of experience and legal knowledge are primary considerations. Those concerns along with being able to make it to the courthouse for the trial date are issues for traffic violation cases. The average person does not understand the best course of action to defend a case. Experienced Staunton VA lawyers know the best tactics for obtaining the best results. Our lawyers spend hours in the Staunton Courts and are familiar with the habits of the different judges and the law enforcement officers who make the arrests and issue the traffic tickets.
Top Law Firm for Criminal Defense – Staunton VA
Our Staunton VA Criminal Defense Firm has dedicated their careers to the practice of criminal law. Our Staunton criminal defense attorneys handle a wide range of criminal cases. Every criminal case is a mix of procedure and substantive law. Title 19.2 of the Va. Code, the Virginia Supreme Court rules, and the Constitutions of the United States and Virginia govern criminal procedure. The substantive criminal law is primarily located in Title 18.2 of the Va. Code. Consult with an experienced Staunton lawyer who can properly assess your case, provide necessary guidance and best represent your interests. Our lawyers are members of prestigious legal organizations. We believe this makes us better advocates.
Staunton Virginia Attorneys Recognized by Super Lawyers
Super Lawyers is a legal rating service comprised of outstanding lawyers from over 70 practice areas who have attained a high-degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. This organization recognizes the top rated lawyers nationwide across a variety of practice areas and firm sizes using a patented process of independent research and peer input. Our Staunton VA law firm has been recognized by this publication since 2009. No more than five percent of the Virginia lawyers are named to this list and no more than 2.5 percent are named to the Rising Stars list. This recognition is merit based. Retain a Staunton VA specialist who has been recognized with this elite award.
Staunton DUI / DWI Lawyers
A proper DUI / DWI investigation requires strict attention to detail. Staunton Police and State Troopers investigating DUI / DWI cases are highly trained. Our skilled Staunton DUI / DWI Lawyers understand what specifics to look for when representing a motorist accused of drunk driving. Countless defenses are recognized by the law, but only DUI / DWI attorneys with the proper training and experience know how to find them and best present them to the Court. We have successfully defended hundreds of DUI cases. Only skilled representation can help you navigate a maze of penalties and post-judgment requirements. Effective Staunton DUI / DWI lawyers can negotiate cases where the Commonwealth’s evidence overwhelmingly proves a violation.
Successful Reckless Driving Defense Attorneys Staunton VA
Virginia has one of the strictest reckless driving laws in the Country, according to WalletHub. Va. Code 46.2-862 states in part that a motorist can be convicted of criminal misdemeanor reckless driving for driving faster than 85 mph or 20 mph over the posted speed limit. The maximum speed limit on the highways through Staunton can vary. Staunton Virginia reckless driving law enforcement issue thousands of traffic tickets every year for this offense. NOTE: The issuance of a summons or traffic ticket is NOT a conviction. Contact an experienced attorney before you plead guilty. Staunton VA reckless driving convictions cannot be expunged.
The Speed Limit on Interstate 81 in Staunton is Strictly Enforced
Interstate 81 enters the Staunton community just south of Mint Spring near Exit 213, which is an interchange for Route 11. I-81 runs for approximately 20 miles through the Staunton metro area before it finally enters Rockingham County. I-81’s major intersection is with I-64 but there are other other major highway intersections. Staunton law enforcement officers and State Police aggressively enforce this stretch of road. Many of our clients are not from the area or are Out-of-State drivers. In many cases, we can resolve our client’s I-81 case without the client having to appear before the General District Court.
Virginia Summons Issued by Staunton Police for District Court
A common scenario that brings people to the Courthouse in Staunton is the issuance of a Virginia Summons. This is the document issued by Staunton Police and State Police during a traffic stop. This document is referred to as a ticket. A law enforcement officer can issue a summons for a criminal misdemeanor offense or a traffic infraction. The summons serves as legal notice for the alleged violation. Signing the summons is not an admission of guilt. The summons advises you that a hearing has been set before the Court in Staunton. Let our Staunton Virginia attorneys review your summons. We can develop a defense strategy even if you think you are guilty.
Extensive Specialized Training Make Better Staunton Advocates
Our Staunton VA law firm includes members of prestigious legal organizations, such as the the Virginia Trial Lawyers Association (VTLA). The VTLA’s mission is dedicated to enhancing the skills, knowledge, and professionalism of trial lawyers. We believe membership and leadership with prominent trial lawyer organizations make us better Staunton trial lawyers and advocates for our clients. Criminal law and traffic defense attorneys are trial lawyers. Not all lawyers are trial lawyers. It is in your best interests to consult a Staunton VA lawyer with specialized training if you need representation before the Staunton Courts for either a criminal law allegation or a summons for a traffic violation. We will present your best defense!
Staunton Virginia Trial Courts Are Adversarial By Design
If you have been accused of violating a Staunton VA criminal or traffic law, then your case will eventually be set for trial before the Staunton Courts. Criminal and traffic violation trials are adversarial in nature. This involves a structured and formalized dispute between the Staunton Commonwealth Attorney’s Office and the defense. The adversarial system is designed to ensure a fair trial according to the rules of law and evidence by allowing each party to present their case and to be able to challenge the other’s evidence and arguments. The judge evaluates the evidence and arguments to reach a verdict. This system ensures that the prosecution meets its high standard of proof.
“AV Preeminent” Staunton Lawyer • Martindale-Hubbell Top Rating
For over 135 years, Martindale-Hubbell has been the authority for evaluating the legal ability and ethical standards of lawyers through a Rating system established by judges and attorneys. Riley & Wells Attorneys-At-Law are AV Preeminent® rated Staunton Virginia lawyers. The top Martindale-Hubbell rating standard. This is awarded to top rated lawyers who are ranked at the highest level of professional excellence for legal expertise, communication skills, and ethical standards. Retain a Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent rated Staunton criminal law & traffic defense firm for your case. Review the law firm’s legal rating and exercise caution before you retain a Staunton VA attorney with an inferior rating for legal ability and ethical standards.
Staunton VA Traffic Lawyers Presenting the Best Defense
The Staunton traffic law classifies numerous offenses as traffic law violations. Some offenses are more serious than others. Traffic violations can be classified as a traffic infraction or a criminal offense. Criminal traffic offenses can be classified as either a felony or a misdemeanor. Traffic infractions can either be a demerit point offense or a non-moving offense. The classification of offense depends on the severity of the conduct. If you have been accused of violating any traffic law, then it would be wise to consult an experienced Staunton VA lawyer. A traffic violation conviction may negatively affect your freedom and your future. CAUTION: A traffic violation will significantly increase the automobile insurance premium according to Insurance.com
Top Rated Staunton Lawyers For Criminal & Traffic Defense
Staunton VA Seal
Staunton is known for its downtown historic architecture because of well-preserved Victorian architecture. It also became a transportation hub after the Virginia Central Railroad arrived in 1854. Staunton is also credited with creating the city manager form of government in 1908. Staunton is now located along the I-81/I-64 corridors. These highway and others are aggressively enforced by Staunton law enforcement officers. The Courthouses are located in downtown along E. Beverly Street. Many of the cases filed in the General District Court are traffic cases such as DUI / DWI, reckless driving and speeding. Staunton Police & State Police cases go before the General District Court every day. Our top rated Staunton lawyers will present your best defense.
Legal Elite Recognizes Top Staunton Attorney
Virginia Business is dedicated to covering activity in the Staunton legal community. In cooperation with the Virginia Bar Association, they have been recognizing Top Virginia Attorneys with its Legal Elite Award since 2000. There are over 23,000 legal practitioners in the Commonwealth. Legal Elite recognitions are awarded to approximately 1400 attorneys each year. This is an exclusive list of top rated attorneys who have been recognized for legal excellence. Only outstanding and experienced professionals are recognized for being Legal Elite. A lawyer cannot purchase his or her way in to being recognized as a member of the Virginia Business Legal Elite community. Allow a Staunton Legal Elite Attorney to review your case.
Sustaining Member National College for Staunton DUI / DWI Defense
The National College for DUI Defense (NCDD) is an organization dedicated to improving the trial skills of DUI / DWI attorneys. NCDD members are the most experienced DUI / DWI defense lawyers. Staunton DUI / DWI cases are complex because they require an understanding of scientific and legal processes. The legal issues of a Staunton DUI / DWI case ranges from search and seizure to complex evidentiary issues. These legal issues intersect in a DUI / DWI case with scientific areas of expertise, such as toxicology and the pseudo-scientific areas of field sobriety testing. Our Staunton Virginia lawyers understand the operations of breath test equipment and other instruments utilized by forensic laboratories in the process of testing for intoxicants.
Out of State Driver Retain Top Staunton VA Lawyers
Many motorists who drive through the Staunton community are licensed to drive in other states or are out-of-state residents. Do not ignore your case just because you are not a Virginia driver. These cases can range from a minor speeding ticket to something more serious that triggered an arrest. Just because you are not from the area does not mean you can ignore an incident that occurred in Staunton VA. If convicted, the incident will follow you and be reported back to the home state. We represent residents from Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Maryland, District of Columbia, Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Vermont and other states.
Superb Avvo Rated Attorneys Serving Staunton Virginia
The Avvo Lawyer Rating can help you find the right lawyers in Staunton Virginia. Avvo was derived from “avvocato”, the Italian word for lawyer. Avvo is a legal directory that rates legal professionals using a mathematical model on a scale of 1 (Extreme Caution) to 10 (Superb). Members of our Staunton law firm maintain a 10.0 Superb Avvo rating. Avvo collects relevant information from state bar associations, other organizations that license Staunton Virginia legal professionals and thousands of consumers to calculate its rating. The same set of standards are used for every lawyer that is evaluated. The Avvo rating is merit based. You cannot pay a fee to improve your Avvo rating.
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2/11/2025