Charged with a crime or DUI in Chesapeake? Read this first.
Top 8 DUI & Criminal Defense Lawyers in Chesapeake, VA
A criminal charge in Chesapeake moves fast. Misdemeanors are heard in the General District Court and felonies head to the Chesapeake Circuit Court, and a first-offense DUI conviction in Virginia carries a mandatory license suspension, fines, and a permanent record. The right lawyer can challenge the traffic stop, the breath test, and the evidence before any of that becomes final. Every attorney below has a verifiable Chesapeake-area criminal practice and offers a consultation.
Updated March 25, 202613 min readEditorially independent
Being charged is not the same as being convicted, but what you do in the first days matters. Evidence has to be preserved, deadlines have to be met, and anything you say to police can be used against you. A Chesapeake criminal defense lawyer steps between you and the Commonwealth's Attorney and makes sure your side is built properly from the start.
DUI cases in particular turn on technical details: whether the stop was lawful, whether the field sobriety tests were given correctly, and whether the breath or blood sample was handled by the book. Several lawyers below trained in the same DUI detection methods the police use, which is exactly what it takes to challenge a breath result.
Below are eight Chesapeake-area attorneys and firms with verifiable criminal and DUI defense practices, each confirmed across at least two independent directories or rankings. Many are former prosecutors who know how the Chesapeake courts and Commonwealth's Attorney's office work from the inside.
How we picked these 8: We cross-referenced peer rankings and directories (Best Lawyers, Super Lawyers, Avvo, Martindale-Hubbell, Justia, Expertise.com, FindLaw) and each firm's own published practice pages. Every firm below appeared in at least two independent sources and has a verifiable Chesapeake-area criminal defense practice. We do not accept payment for placement, and we do not write sponsored reviews. More on our methodology →
1
Mark Andrews Law
Chesapeake, VADUI & criminal defense
Practice focus: DUI/DWI, reckless driving, traffic offenses, criminal defense
Attorney Mark Andrews is widely recognized among Hampton Roads DUI lawyers and has defended hundreds of people charged with DUI or DWI. A former prosecutor, he is certified in the same DUI detection training as police officers, which lets him challenge the stop, the breath test, and the arrest procedure.
Why they made the list: DUI-trained former prosecutor with a Chesapeake practice, listed across Expertise.com and ThreeBestRated.
Practice focus: DUI, drug and gun charges, reckless driving, criminal defense
A Southeast Virginia firm with a Chesapeake office whose criminal and traffic division is led by Jason A. Barlow, a Chesapeake native with nearly 30 years of experience who served eight years as a prosecutor in the Chesapeake Commonwealth's Attorney's Office before joining the firm.
Why they made the list: Local office with a former Chesapeake prosecutor leading the criminal division, profiled on Super Lawyers.
Practice focus: DUI/DWI, drug offenses, assault, criminal defense
A Chesapeake firm whose attorneys carry more than 50 years of collective experience defending people charged with a wide range of criminal offenses, with a routine DUI and DWI defense practice.
Why they made the list: Decades of combined criminal-defense experience and a published Chesapeake DUI practice.
Practice focus: Assault and battery, DUI, drug crimes, sex crimes
A firm serving Chesapeake with aggressive representation in assault, DUI, drug, and sex-crime matters. Attorney Jack T. Randall is a former prosecutor and former police officer, a background that shapes how the firm attacks the evidence.
Why they made the list: Former prosecutor and ex-officer on staff, with a documented Chesapeake-area criminal practice.
Practice focus: Criminal defense, DUI, traffic, felony defense
A firm with a Chesapeake office that represents clients throughout the southern Hampton Roads region, with attorneys reporting a combined 202 years of legal experience across criminal, family, and injury work.
Why they made the list: Established Chesapeake office and deep combined experience across the region's courts.
Practice focus: Felonies, misdemeanors, DUI, drug charges
A criminal-defense firm with a Chesapeake presence handling felony and misdemeanor charges, DUI, and drug offenses in the city's General District and Circuit courts.
Why they made the list: Dedicated criminal-defense practice with documented Chesapeake-area representation.
Practice focus: Criminal defense, DUI, traffic offenses
A Chesapeake practice at 1553 S. Military Hwy. handling criminal defense alongside bankruptcy, divorce, and injury work. The firm has received the Avvo Clients' Choice and Top Contributor recognitions.
Why they made the list: Local Chesapeake office with Avvo client recognition and a multi-area defense practice.
Serving Chesapeake since 1978Criminal defense & injury
Practice focus: Criminal defense, DUI, felony and misdemeanor charges
In addition to its long-running injury practice, this South Hampton Roads firm has defended criminal and DUI cases across Chesapeake and the surrounding cities since 1978.
Why they made the list: Long-established South Hampton Roads firm with a documented criminal-defense practice.
Tell us about your charge and we will match you with a vetted Chesapeake criminal defense attorney. Free, confidential, and no obligation.
How to choose between them in Chesapeake
Look for former prosecutors and DUI training. A lawyer who has worked inside the Chesapeake Commonwealth's Attorney's office, or who is trained in police DUI detection, knows where the weak points in the case usually are.
Match the lawyer to the charge. A first-offense DUI, a felony drug charge, and a sex offense are very different fights. Ask how many cases like yours the lawyer has handled recently.
Ask who actually shows up in court. In some firms you meet a partner and then a junior handles the hearings. Get the name of the lawyer who will stand next to you in the Chesapeake courtroom.
Get the fee structure in writing. Most criminal defense is billed as a flat fee per charge or hourly. Ask what is covered, whether trial is included, and what happens if the case goes longer than expected.
What criminal defense help typically costs in Chesapeake
Criminal defense fees in Chesapeake depend on whether the charge is a misdemeanor or felony and how likely it is to go to trial:
Initial consultation. Free to about $200 at most firms on this list.
First-offense misdemeanor or DUI. Commonly a flat fee of about $1,500 to $4,000, depending on complexity and whether it goes to trial.
Felony defense. Often $5,000 to $15,000 or more as a flat or staged fee, higher for serious felonies that go to trial.
Hourly work. Where billed hourly, Chesapeake criminal rates commonly run about $250 to $450 per hour.
The penalty you are facing, the strength of the evidence, and whether the case resolves with a plea or a trial all move the cost. Get the fee and what it covers in a written agreement before you hire anyone.
How long it takes
A Chesapeake criminal case usually moves through these stages:
Arrest or summons to first appearance. Days to a few weeks; bond and arraignment happen early in the General District Court.
Discovery and motions. One to three months while your lawyer reviews the evidence and challenges the stop, search, or testing.
Trial or plea in General District Court. Misdemeanors and DUIs are typically resolved within a few months of the charge.
Felony track. Felonies go through a preliminary hearing, then a grand jury, then the Circuit Court, which can take six months to over a year.
Red flags to watch for when hiring a criminal defense lawyer in Chesapeake
Guaranteed outcomes. No ethical attorney can promise a specific result. If a firm guarantees a win, a number, or a court ruling, walk away.
The disappearing senior partner. You meet a named partner at intake, then never hear from them again while an unsupervised junior runs the file. Ask in writing who handles your matter day to day.
Pressure to sign on the spot. Reputable firms give you the engagement letter in writing and time to read it. High-pressure intake is a volume-mill signal.
No verifiable track record. Look for named results, peer rankings, board certifications, or bar recognition — not "we have helped thousands of clients."
Vague fees. Every legitimate firm will put the fee structure, what is covered, and what triggers extra charges in a written engagement letter.
10 questions to ask in your free consultation
Most of the firms on this list offer a free or low-cost initial call. Use it. Bring a written list and write down the answers, then compare across two or three firms before you sign anything.
Who, specifically, will handle my matter day to day? Get a name and a direct email, not just the firm.
How many matters like mine have you handled in the last three years? You want a number, not a brochure line.
What is your fee, and what does it cover? Get the structure in writing before you sign.
What out-of-pocket costs am I responsible for, and when? Filing fees, records, and experts add up - ask now.
What is the realistic range of outcomes? A good lawyer gives a range; a weak one promises the high end.
How long will this take? An honest estimate, with the assumptions stated.
What is my deadline, and is it at risk? Many criminal defense matters carry hard filing deadlines.
How often will I hear from you? Set the communication cadence now.
What can I do to help my own case? The best lawyers will give you homework.
What is the worst-case outcome? A lawyer who refuses to discuss downside risk is selling you something.
What to bring to your Chesapeake consultation
You will get more out of the first call if you arrive organized. For most criminal defense matters, gather:
A short written timeline. Dates, names, and what happened, in order.
The key documents. Any contracts, letters, agreements, court orders, or filings you have received.
Your correspondence. Relevant emails, texts, or messages - and do not delete anything.
Any deadlines you know about. A court date, a signing deadline, or an agency notice.
Your questions. The 10 above are a good place to start.
If you are not sure whether something is relevant, bring it anyway. It is easier for a lawyer to set aside what does not matter than to chase down what you left at home.
Talk to a vetted Criminal Defense attorney in Chesapeake
Tell us about your situation. We'll match you with one of these firms or a similar one. Free, confidential, no obligation.
Frequently asked questions about criminal defense lawyers in Chesapeake
What happens after a first-offense DUI in Chesapeake?
A first-offense DUI conviction in Virginia is a misdemeanor that carries a mandatory minimum fine, a one-year license suspension, and likely the VASAP alcohol program. Jail time and an ignition interlock can apply depending on your blood alcohol level. A lawyer may be able to challenge the stop or testing to reduce or dismiss the charge.
Can a Chesapeake DUI charge be reduced or dismissed?
Sometimes. Defenses often focus on whether the traffic stop was lawful, whether field sobriety tests were administered correctly, and whether the breath or blood sample was properly handled. A DUI-trained lawyer knows where these cases break down.
Misdemeanor versus felony, which court hears my case?
Misdemeanors and traffic offenses start in the Chesapeake General District Court. Felonies begin with a preliminary hearing there, then go to a grand jury and the Chesapeake Circuit Court.
How much does a criminal defense lawyer cost here?
Most charge a flat fee per charge. First-offense misdemeanors and DUIs commonly run $1,500 to $4,000, while felonies often start around $5,000 and climb with seriousness and trial work.
Should I just use the public defender?
Public defenders are skilled but carry heavy caseloads. If you can afford private counsel, you generally get more time and attention on your specific case. Eligibility for a public defender is based on income.
Will a conviction stay on my record?
Virginia has limited expungement, which mainly applies to charges that were dismissed or that ended in acquittal. A conviction usually stays on your record, which is one more reason to fight the charge early.
Do I have to testify?
No. You have the right to remain silent and the Commonwealth must prove the case beyond a reasonable doubt. Whether you testify is a strategic decision you make with your lawyer.
What should I do right after being charged?
Do not discuss the case with police or anyone else, write down everything you remember while it is fresh, preserve any evidence such as receipts or messages, and call a criminal defense lawyer before your first court date.
One last thing. Choosing a lawyer is personal. Read the reviews. Call two or three firms before you sign. Ask each one: How many matters like mine have you handled in the last three years? The answer tells you a lot. — The LawFirmSquare team
LawFirmSquare is a directory. We do not represent clients or refer cases for a fee.
Helpful next steps
If this guide was useful, here is where most readers go next.