1. William J. Dinkin, PLC
Practice Focus: White collar criminal defense, economic crimes, federal defense, complex fraud cases
Case Types Handled: Federal offenses, white collar crimes, fraud, identity theft, embezzlement, tax crimes, bank fraud, securities violations, complex financial crimes
Legal Services: Trial defense in state and federal courts, grand jury representation, plea negotiations, motion practice, internal investigations, regulatory defense
Background: William J. Dinkin has practiced criminal defense for over 30 years. He is a former prosecutor who served as Chief of the Economic Crimes Section. He coordinated the Identity Theft Task Force. He has been recognized by Virginia Super Lawyers for White Collar Criminal Defense continuously from 2006 to present. He is listed in Best Lawyers in America for Criminal Defense White Collar from 2016 to present. He serves as an adjunct professor at the University of Richmond teaching trial advocacy and ethics. His partner, Michael C. Moore, served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney from 2002 to 2024 and has over 30 years of legal experience.
Location: Richmond, VA
Contact: (804) 658-5373 | https://www.dinkinlaw.com
Consultation: Contact office for consultation availability
2. Stanton Law
Practice Focus: Criminal defense, traffic defense, DUI/DWI, serious felonies
Case Types Handled: Felonies, misdemeanors, DUI/DWI, reckless driving, assault, drug offenses, theft, violent crimes, traffic violations
Legal Services: Trial defense, motion practice, plea negotiations, sentencing advocacy, license suspension hearings
Background: William W. Stanton VII is a former prosecutor. He graduated summa cum laude with highest honors from the University of Richmond Jepson School of Leadership Studies, ranking second in his class with a 3.85 GPA. He attended the University of Richmond T.C. Williams School of Law as a John Marshall Scholar (limited to 8% of the incoming class). He earned membership in the McNeill Law Society (reserved for law students in the top 10% of their class). He was born and raised in Richmond and maintains strong local knowledge of Virginia courts. Client testimonials note his response time of 10 to 20 minutes to communications.
Location: Richmond, VA
Contact: Contact through firm website | https://stantonlawva.com
Consultation: Contact office for consultation information
3. Law Office of Paul C. Galanides, P.C.
Practice Focus: Criminal defense exclusively, state and federal court representation
Case Types Handled: Felonies, misdemeanors, violent crimes, drug offenses, theft, assault, DUI, federal crimes, weapons charges
Legal Services: Trial defense, preliminary hearings, motion practice, plea negotiations, sentencing advocacy, appeals, post-conviction relief
Background: Paul C. Galanides has spent more than 30 years working in criminal courts. He began his career as a public defender, then became a prosecutor and appellate attorney. His practice focuses 100% on criminal defense. He handles each case personally from first meeting through final hearing. He regularly appears in local, state, and federal courts and has built relationships throughout the Central Virginia legal community.
Location: Richmond, VA (serves Central Virginia)
Contact: Contact through firm website | https://www.vadefensecounsel.com
Consultation: Contact office for consultation information
4. Joyner Law, PC
Practice Focus: Criminal defense, traffic defense, DUI/DWI, statewide Virginia practice
Case Types Handled: Felonies, misdemeanors, DUI/DWI, reckless driving, traffic violations, drug offenses, assault, theft
Legal Services: Trial defense, motion practice, plea negotiations, DMV administrative hearings
Background: Jason Joyner operates offices in Richmond and Wytheville (Southwest Virginia). The firm focuses 100% on criminal and traffic defense. The practice offers affordable flat rate pricing and free consultations. The firm serves courts throughout Virginia including Brunswick, Caroline, Chesterfield, Dinwiddie, Goochland, Greensville, Hanover, Henrico, Hopewell, Mecklenburg, New Kent, Petersburg, Richmond (John Marshall and Manchester), Southampton, Spotsylvania, Stafford, and Sussex counties.
Location: Richmond, VA and Wytheville, VA
Contact: Contact through firm website | https://www.vatrafficattorney.com
Consultation: Free consultation available
5. Law Office of Cosby and Calhoun
Practice Focus: Criminal defense, violent crimes, drug offenses, theft, assault
Case Types Handled: Felonies, misdemeanors, murder, assault, drug offenses, theft, burglary, weapons charges, domestic violence
Legal Services: Trial defense, preliminary hearings, motion practice, plea negotiations, sentencing advocacy
Background: Kevin E. Calhoun and Charles C. Cosby Jr. have combined experience of 50 years in criminal defense. The firm serves over 60 cities and counties throughout Virginia. Both attorneys maintain deep roots in Richmond and connections throughout the Virginia legal community. The firm maintains a manageable caseload to provide personal attention to each client.
Location: Richmond, VA
Contact: (804) 780-0311 | https://www.charlesccosby.com
Consultation: Contact office for consultation information
Criminal Defense Regulations in Virginia
Bar Admission Requirements: The Virginia State Bar regulates attorney licensing and discipline. Applicants must pass the Virginia Bar Examination. Virginia does not participate in the Uniform Bar Examination. All applicants undergo character and fitness review. Virginia requires completion of the Professionalism Course within one year of admission.
Specialty Certifications: Virginia does not operate a state-sponsored specialty certification program for criminal law. Attorneys may obtain certifications from national organizations such as the National Board of Trial Advocacy or the National College for DUI Defense.
Mandatory Continuing Legal Education: Virginia requires 12 CLE credits per year. Of these, at least 2 credits must address ethics or professionalism. At least 4 credits must be earned through attendance at approved courses (live or real-time). The remaining credits may be earned through self-study or prerecorded programs. Credits are reported annually by October 31.
Public Defender System: Virginia operates public defender offices in selected localities. Richmond is served by the Capital Defender Office for capital cases. For non-capital cases, indigent defendants may receive court-appointed counsel. Eligibility is determined based on financial qualification standards established by the Supreme Court of Virginia.
Felony Classification System: Virginia classifies felonies into six classes under Virginia Code Section 18.2-10.
Class 1 felonies carry imprisonment for life and fines up to $100,000. Defendants age 18 or older at the time of offense receive life without parole eligibility. Examples include first-degree murder and aggravated murder.
Class 2 felonies carry imprisonment for 20 years to life and fines up to $100,000. Examples include first-degree murder in certain circumstances, kidnapping, and aggravated malicious wounding.
Class 3 felonies carry imprisonment for 5 to 20 years and fines up to $100,000. Examples include burglary, malicious wounding, and certain drug distribution offenses.
Class 4 felonies carry imprisonment for 2 to 10 years and fines up to $100,000. Examples include embezzlement, arson of an unoccupied building, kidnapping, and human trafficking.
Class 5 felonies carry imprisonment for 1 to 10 years, or in the discretion of the jury or court, confinement in jail for up to 12 months and fines up to $2,500. These are “wobbler” offenses. Examples include involuntary manslaughter, extortion, and battery.
Class 6 felonies carry imprisonment for 1 to 5 years, or in the discretion of the jury or court, confinement in jail for up to 12 months and fines up to $2,500. These are “wobbler” offenses. Examples include animal cruelty, repeat larceny, reckless endangerment, and third-offense DUI within 10 years.
Unclassified Felonies: Virginia has unclassified felonies (sometimes called Class U) with penalties specified in individual statutes. Examples include grand larceny (1 to 20 years), rape (5 years to life), and carjacking (15 years to life).
Misdemeanor Classification: Class 1 misdemeanors carry up to 12 months in jail and fines up to $2,500. Class 2 misdemeanors carry up to 6 months in jail and fines up to $1,000. Class 3 misdemeanors carry fines up to $500. Class 4 misdemeanors carry fines up to $250.
Abolition of Parole: Virginia abolished discretionary parole in 1995 for felonies committed on or after January 1, 1995. The Virginia Parole Board maintains limited authority over older parolees and certain conditional release programs. Defendants must serve at least 85% of their sentence before becoming eligible for good conduct release.
Abolition of Death Penalty: Virginia abolished capital punishment in 2021. The maximum penalty for Class 1 felonies is now life imprisonment without parole eligibility.
Record Sealing and Expungement: Virginia’s new record sealing law (effective October 1, 2025) significantly expands eligibility for sealing criminal records. Automatic sealing applies to certain misdemeanor non-convictions (acquittals, dismissals, nolle prosequi) if the person has no prior Virginia convictions and no arrests or charges in Virginia within the past 3 years. Automatic sealing applies to certain misdemeanor convictions 7 years after conviction if specific criteria are met. Petition-based sealing is available for other convictions. The lifetime limit is two sentencing events for convictions and deferred dispositions. Sealing restricts public access but does not erase the record. Sealed records remain accessible only by court order for specific purposes.
Discovery Rules: Virginia provides for broad discovery in criminal cases. Defendants have the right to examine evidence held by the Commonwealth. Exculpatory evidence (Brady material) must be disclosed. Motions for specific discovery requests are commonly filed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are Richmond criminal cases heard?
Criminal cases in Richmond are heard at either the John Marshall Courts Building or the Manchester Courthouse, both part of the Richmond Circuit Court and General District Court system. The John Marshall Courts Building is located at 400 N. 9th Street, Richmond, VA 23219. Misdemeanor cases and felony preliminary hearings begin in General District Court. Felony trials and appeals from General District Court are heard in Circuit Court. Federal criminal cases are heard at the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia.
What happens at a preliminary hearing in Virginia?
A preliminary hearing is held in General District Court to determine whether probable cause exists to believe the defendant committed the charged felony. The Commonwealth must present evidence, typically through law enforcement testimony. The defense may cross-examine witnesses and present evidence. If probable cause is found, the case is certified to the grand jury for indictment and subsequent Circuit Court proceedings. If probable cause is not established, the charge is dismissed. Defendants may waive preliminary hearing, which sends the case directly to the grand jury.
What are the penalties for a first-time DUI in Virginia?
A first-time DUI in Virginia (Virginia Code 18.2-266) is a Class 1 misdemeanor. Penalties include up to 12 months in jail (typically no mandatory jail for first offense unless BAC is 0.15% or higher), fines of $250 to $2,500 plus court costs, driver’s license suspension of 12 months (restricted license often available after conviction), mandatory completion of VASAP (Virginia Alcohol Safety Action Program), and installation of ignition interlock device for restricted license. Elevated BAC (0.15% to 0.20%) carries mandatory minimum 5 days jail; BAC above 0.20% carries mandatory minimum 10 days jail.
How does Virginia’s new record sealing law work?
Virginia’s record sealing law takes full effect October 1, 2025. For misdemeanor non-convictions (acquittals, dismissals, nolle prosequi), automatic sealing occurs if you have never been convicted of a crime in Virginia and have not been arrested or charged in Virginia in the past 3 years. For certain misdemeanor convictions, automatic sealing occurs 7 years after conviction if you meet eligibility criteria. For other eligible offenses, you may petition the court for sealing. The lifetime limit is two sentencing events for convictions and deferred dispositions. Sealed records are not accessible to employers, landlords, or the general public. Employers who ask about sealed convictions when not required by law may face criminal penalties.
What diversion programs are available in Richmond?
Richmond and the surrounding jurisdictions offer several diversion and specialty court programs. Drug Court provides treatment-based supervision for defendants with substance abuse issues. Veterans Treatment Court serves eligible veterans. Mental Health Docket addresses defendants with mental health conditions. First Offender Programs are available for certain drug and other offenses under Virginia Code Sections 18.2-251 and 19.2-303.2. Community Service in lieu of incarceration may be available for certain misdemeanor offenses. Participation in diversion programs may result in charge dismissal or reduced penalties upon successful completion. Eligibility varies by program and is determined by the Commonwealth’s Attorney and the court.