The purpose of motions in criminal defense is to communicate with the court and other parties. It is the way you ask for what you want (suppress evidence, continue a hearing, compel the production of discovery/evidence, dismiss the charges, etc). Motions may be made verbally or in written form. The Read more…
Probable cause is a legal concept in Vermont criminal cases. To be arrested for DUI, or any crime in Vermont, probable cause that an individual committed that offense must exist. To establish probable cause, police officers must be able to point to objective circumstances leading them to believe that a Read more…
Last week I was driving down Pearl Street in Burlington. There was a woman crossing in the crosswalk and so I stopped to let her cross. A young man was pulling out of a parking space and into the roadway behind me. He didn’t see me stopped in the road Read more…
Vermont DUIs tend to peak around major Holidays including the Fourth of July. During the holidays, the number of travelers on our nation’s roads peaks as friends and family gather to celebrate. As a result of holiday parties and gatherings, more drivers are impaired by alcohol, too. Enforcement of Vermont Read more…
FindLaw has created a good summary of how criminal defense strategies develop between attorney and client. The following is excerpted from here. A criminal defense strategy for your criminal prosecution will emerge as your criminal defense attorney finds out more about what the prosecutor plans to do in your case. Read more…
If you live in Rhode Island but are charged with a DUI in Vermont contact an experienced DUI attorney. We can review your case and help you to understand your options and prepare your best defense. At Burke Law we have successfully represented Rhode Island drivers who have been charged Read more…
Clients are often nervous about what they should wear to Vermont criminal court. Whether it is for an arraignment or testify as a witness it is appropriate to dress business casual or business attire to court. It is not necessary to wear a full suit to court, but there is Read more…
Should I admit to smoking marijuana if I am pulled over for a DUI in Vermont? If you are pulled over in Vermont and a law enforcement officer suspects you of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs one of the first questions the officer will ask you is Read more…
Indigent criminal defense in Vermont is provided through the Office of the Defender General. The Defender General began providing services to Vermont in 1972. The Defender General provides constitutionally required representation to needy persons charged with serious crimes. At Burke Law we work with the Defender General to help provide gaps Read more…
Racial injustice must be addressed in Vermont. In Vermont policing and prosecutions disproportionately effect people of color. According to the ACLU: “Vermont has some of the worst prison racial disparities in the country. In 2017, the rate at which Black adults entered correctional facilities in Vermont was more than seven times Read more…