Highest Rated Northampton County VA Lawyers • 1500+ Reviews
Riley & Wells Attorneys-At-Law is an established local Northampton County VA law firm that specializes in criminal law & defending motorists charged with DUI, reckless driving, speeding and traffic violations on the Eastern Shore of Virginia. Our office is located on “Lawyers Row” in the Northampton County Courthouse Historic District in Eastville. We are recognized as a “Best Law Firm” by U.S. News & World Report. The majority of cases filed in the General District Court are traffic law cases. Many of our clients are not from the area or are Out-of-State drivers. Our firm has been positively reviewed more times than any other law firm that represents clients in the Northampton VA Courts. Let us review your case. We can help!
30,000+ Clients Represented
1500+ Client Reviews
60+ Years of Combined Experience
Northampton County VA Circuit & District Court Trial Lawyers
Northampton County is located on the Eastern Shore of Virginia. The Town of Eastville is the county seat. Exmore is the largest town in Northampton County. U.S. Route 13 runs through the middle of the Northampton County and also passes through Nassawadox & Willis Wharf. There are over 33 miles of Route 13 in Northampton County VA. The Northampton County Sheriff’s Office, State Police, Eastville Police, Exmore Police, Cape Charles Police and the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel Police all aggressively enforce Route 13 as well the rest of the County which includes Cape Charles, Belle Haven & Cheriton. Do not plead guilty to your case without first consulting a local attorney. In Virginia, a conviction is permanent and cannot be expunged.
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Most Rated Northampton VA Eastern Shore Traffic & Criminal Law Defense
Free Consultation with Most Rated Northampton VA Lawyers
Some folks think they do not need attorneys in Northampton County Virginia for their case. The biggest issue for many is being able to make it to courthouse for the trial date. A lack of experience and legal knowledge is another consideration. The average person does not understand the best course of action to defend a particular case. Experienced attorneys know the best tactics for obtaining the best results. Our lawyers spend hours in the Northampton VA Courts every week and are familiar with the habits of the different judges and the law enforcement officers who make the arrests and issue the traffic tickets. This local knowledge is invaluable in order to best defend your case.
Experienced Reckless Driving Defense Attorneys in Northampton County
Reckless driving in Northampton County is taken very seriously by law enforcement and the Courts. These reckless driving laws are some of the most severe in the Country, according to WalletHub. Va. Code 46.2-862 states in part that a motorist can be convicted of misdemeanor reckless driving for driving 20 mph over the posted speed limit. The maximum speed limit in Northampton County is 55 miles an hour. Law enforcement agencies that patrol Northampton County issue thousands of tickets every year for reckless driving violations. NOTE: The issuance of a summons or traffic ticket is NOT a conviction. Contact an experienced Northampton VA attorney before you plead guilty. You can benefit from our experience. Convictions cannot be expunged.
Northampton VA Attorneys Recognized by Virginia Super Lawyers Since 2009
Super Lawyers is a legal rating service of outstanding attorneys from more than 70 practice areas who have attained a high-degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. This organization recognizes the top lawyers nationwide across a variety of practice areas and firm sizes using a patented process of independent research and peer input. Our Northampton County 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 Northampton County VA specialist who has been recognized with this elite award.
Northampton County VA Traffic Lawyers Presenting the Best Defense
Virginia traffic law classifies numerous offenses as traffic violations. Some offenses are more serious than others. Traffic violations can either be a criminal offense or a traffic infraction. Criminal traffic offenses can either be a felony or a misdemeanor. Traffic infractions can either be a demerit point offense or a non-moving violation. 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 Northampton County VA traffic lawyer. A traffic violation conviction may negatively affect your freedom and your future. CAUTION: A traffic violation may increase the automobile insurance premium by as much as 79% according to Insurance.com
Northampton County VA Lawyers Defending U.S. Route 13 Cases
The Chesapeake Bay Bridge–Tunnel (CBBT) is part of U.S. Route 13 towards the Eastern Shore of Virginia. Route 13 is the main route in Northampton County and connects to most of the cities and towns in the county. The CBBT is 17.6-miles long. The Bay Bridge-Tunnel has its own police department and they are serious about enforcing the traffic laws. There are emergency pull off sections on the CCBT where police sit and monitor traffic. We defend Route 13 traffic cases every week. This practice allows us to present the best defense. We believe that our clients benefit from this experience. Our firm has been routinely recognized for superior legal ability and possess high ethical standards.
“AV Preeminent” • The Highest Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Rating
For over 135 years, Martindale-Hubbell has been the authority for evaluating professionals for legal ability and ethical standards through a Peer Review Rating system established by lawyers and judges. Riley & Wells Attorneys-A-Law are a Northampton County AV Preeminent® rated law firm. The highest Martindale-Hubbell peer rating standard. This is given to attorneys who are ranked at the highest level of professional excellence for their legal expertise, communication skills, and ethical standards by their peers. Retain a Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent rated Northampton County VA criminal law & traffic defense firm for your case. Review the law firm’s legal rating and exercise caution before you retain an attorney with an inferior rating for legal ability and ethical standards.
Exmore VA Police Department Traffic Ticket Defense
The Town of Exmore is a small town on the Eastern Shore of Virginia in Northampton County that measures less than 3 square miles. Exmore is located on the north side of Northampton County. This small town is big on enforcing the speed limit on U.S. Route 13. The speed limit on Route 13 drops to 45 mph in Exmore. Exmore Police will often monitor speed from the Holiday Inn parking lot on Route 13. Another popular enforcement spot for Exmore Police is on Route 13 near Occohannock Neck Road. The issuance of an Exmore VA speeding ticket does not automatically result in a conviction. Retain an experienced Northampton County VA attorney who specializes in defending speeding cases.
Legal Elite Recognizes Top Virginia Attorneys by Virginia Business
Virginia Business is the only publication dedicated to covering economic activity in every sector and every region of the Commonwealth. Virginia Business, in cooperation with the Virginia Bar Association, has been recognizing Top Virginia Attorneys with its Virginia Business Legal Elite publication since 2000. There are over 23,000 legal practitioners in Virginia. Legal Elite recognitions are awarded to approximately 1400 attorneys each year. This is an exclusive list of top rated individuals who have been recognized by their peers for excellence. Only outstanding and experienced professionals are recognized by Virginia Business 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.
Virginia Uniform Summons Issued by Northampton Police for District Court
The most common scenario that brings people before the Northampton County VA Courthouse is because they have been issued a Virginia Uniform Summons. This summons is the legal document issued by law enforcement officers during a police encounter or traffic stop. This document is often referred to as a ticket. 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 Northampton County VA General District Court. A law enforcement officer can also issue a summons for criminal misdemeanor offenses. Let us review your summons. We can develop a defense strategy even if you think you are guilty.
Out of State Residents Retain Top Rated Northampton VA Lawyers
Out-of-state residents need top rated representation for their Northampton VA criminal or traffic case. The majority of defendants who have cases before the Northampton Courts are not from the area. Most of these cases are driving related and can range from a minor speeding ticket to an arrest for DUI / DWI. Just because you are not from the area does not mean you can ignore an incident that occurred in Northampton County VA. If convicted, the incident will follow you and be reported back to the home state. We routinely represent residents from Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Maryland, District of Columbia, Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire & Maine.
Superb AVVO Rated Northampton County VA Lawyers
The Avvo Rating can help you find the right attorney. 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 Northampton County VA law firm maintain a 10.0 Superb Avvo rating. Avvo collects relevant information from state bar associations, other organizations that license legal professionals and thousands of consumers to calculate its rating. The same set of standards is used on all who are evaluated. The Avvo rating is merit based. You cannot pay a fee to improve your Avvo rating.
Northampton County Trial Courts Are Adversarial By Design
If you have been accused of violating a Northampton County VA criminal or traffic law, then your case will eventually be set for trial before the Northampton County Courts. Criminal and traffic violation trials are adversarial in nature. This involves a structured and formalized dispute between the Northampton County Commonwealth Attorney’s Office and the defense. The adversarial system is designed to ensure a fair trial process subject to the rules of law and evidence by allowing each side to present their case and to be able to challenge the other’s arguments and evidence. The judge evaluates the evidence, arguments, and the credibility of witnesses to reach a verdict. This system ensures that the prosecution meets its high standard of proof.
Traffic Court Representation for Cape Charles VA Cases
The Town of Cape Charles is located close to the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay on Virginia’s Eastern Shore. The town is a small village in Northampton County VA. The town is only a few square miles. Golf carts are a popular method of transportation. Cape Charles Police Department is a very small with only five officers. Do not let the size of this police force fool you. Cape Charles Police take traffic law enforcement very seriously – even with those operating golf carts. The most police presence can be found when exiting off of U.S. Route 13 and onto Stone Road/Randolph Avenue, where the speed limit changes from 55 mph down to 25 mph. Consult a local Northampton County VA.
Specialized Training & Extensive Experience Make The Best Advocates
Our Northampton County VA law firm includes members of some of the most prestigious legal organizations, such as the the Virginia Trial Lawyers Association (VTLA). The VTLA’s mission is dedicated to enhancing the knowledge, skills and professionalism of trial lawyers. We believe membership and leadership with prominent trial lawyer organizations make us better 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 professional with specialized training if you need representation before the Northampton County Courts for either a criminal law allegation or a summons for a traffic violation. We will present your best defense!
Experienced Attorneys That Defend Northampton County VA Criminal Cases
Our Northampton VA Criminal Defense Firm has dedicated their careers to the practice of criminal law, which includes the more specialized areas of DUI / DWI law & traffic law. Our firm handles a wide range of criminal cases, from traffic violations to more serious charges such as murder. It is advisable to consult with an experienced Northampton County criminal lawyer who can assess your case, provide the proper guidance and represent your interests throughout the legal process. Our lawyers are members of prestigious legal organizations. We firmly believe that active membership and leadership in criminal law organizations such as the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and the Virginia Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers make us better advocates.
Northampton County VA is Famous for Being a Speed Trap
Speed traps are an area of the road that police officers heavily monitor to catch people speeding. Technically defined as an area of road where police officers hide in order to detect vehicles exceeding a speed limit. Northampton County, Eastville & Exmore as well as other towns in the area have a reputation for being a speed trap located along Route 13. Governing Magazine conducted a study that named Eight VA localities that heavily rely on fines from traffic cases. Brunswick, Greensville, Eastville, Emporia, LaCrosse, Sussex, & Waverly made the list. Northampton County’s Town of Eastville relies more on traffic fines than any other locality. Out-Of-State motorists often find themselves the victim of this speed trap. Consult us before you plead guilty.
Northampton Virginia DUI / DWI Defense
Drunk driving is taken seriously by the Northampton County Courts. The DUI / DWI law can be very complex and the consequences of a conviction can be extremely serious and life changing. Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) & Driving Under the Influence (DUI) are often used interchangeably because they are both charged under the Va. Code 18.2-266. The Northampton County prosecutor can prosecute the offense regardless of whether alcohol or drugs or both are the intoxicant. Our Northampton VA attorneys have successfully defended hundreds of DUI / DWI cases. Exercise caution before you engage a lawyer for representation that lacks the proper training or experience. Engage a top Northampton DUI / DWI Law Firm who has the experience to best defend your DUI / DWI case.
Sustaining Member National College for DUI Defense
The National College for DUI Defense (NCDD) is a professional organization dedicated to the improving the trial skills of the DUI / DWI criminal defense bar. NCDD members are the most experienced DUI /DWI defense attorneys. Northampton County VA DUI / DWI cases can be complex because they require an understanding of scientific and legal processes. The legal issues range 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 Northampton County DUI / DWI law firm understands the operations of breath test equipment and other instruments utilized by forensic laboratories in the process of testing for intoxicants.
Platinum Client Champion Award • Top Northampton VA Lawyers Client Rating
The Martindale-Hubbell Platinum Client Champion Award is a prestigious honor that recognizes lawyers for excellence. This award informs potential clients about the real world experience previous clients have had with a law firm. Our Northampton County VA law firm maintains a Platinum Rating – the highest rating possible. The Martindale-Hubbell Platinum Client Champion Award is given to law firms who have received the highest number of client reviews with a score greater than 4.5/5.0. This award is a testament to our firm’s dedication to client service and a commitment to providing excellent legal representation before the Northampton VA courts. The award also recognizes our ability to navigate the often complex legal landscape and obtain positive outcomes for our clients.
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7/28/2021 | Updated 10/6/2024