Criminal Defense Attorneys | Burke Law Vermont

Criminal Defense Services

Criminal defense starts before your arraignment. Being charged with any crime, including Vermont DUI, can be an intimidating experience. It is difficult to know how to navigate the process on your own. At Burke Law, we guide you through every stage of the criminal process.

From arraignment to disposition, our criminal defense attorneys identify the strengths of your case and zealously advocate on your behalf. If you are charged with a crime it is important to speak to an experienced criminal defense attorney as soon as possible. Even minor convictions can negatively impact your future.

Learn about the different criminal defense services Burke Law offers below.

What are Motions in Vermont Criminal Defense?

Motions are the way that parties to criminal litigation communicate in writing to the Vermont Superior Court. For instance, let’s say that Learn More

What is a Plea Agreement in Vermont?

A plea agreement is an agreed upon resolution between the defendant and the state to resolve a defendant’s case for a specific Learn More

Attorney – Client Privilege

Attorney – client privilege begins during your initial consult. When you are charged with a crime or fear that you may be Learn More

What is an NTO order?

An NTO or nontestimonial identification order is an order to produce blood, fingerprints, or dna to a law enforcement officer when ordered Learn More

What is a Search Warrant?

A search warrant is a judicially authorized exception to the constitutional protection against government searches. A search warrant in Vermont may be Learn More

When to Call a Criminal Defense Attorney

Potential clients often ask me when they should call a criminal defense attorney. It is difficult to find a point in time Learn More

Is there a way I can resolve my Vermont criminal case without going to court?

In some Vermont criminal cases an experienced criminal defense attorney can waive the defendant’s appearance at arraignment and resolve the case for Learn More

Do Vermont Criminal Courts Offer Interpreter Services?

Vermont criminal courts do offer interpreter services for any individuals who do not speak English. All people have a right to access Learn More

What is an Affirmative Defense in Vermont Criminal Law?

An affirmative defense to a Vermont criminal charge is a fact or set of facts other than those alleged by the plaintiff Learn More

Can Plea Negotiations Be Entered Against Me As Evidence?

Plea negotiations cannot be entered as evidence against an accused at a jury trial. Vermont criminal defendants often worry that if they Learn More

Vermont Criminal Jury Instructions

How does a Vermont criminal jury know what the law is? Vermont criminal jury instructions are read to jurors before they deliberate Learn More

What is Processing pursuant to an arrest?

Processing is the common term in Vermont that refers to the post arrest tasks of taking a mug shot, fingerprinting, and filling Learn More

Exculpatory Evidence

Exculpatory evidence is evidence favorable to the defendant in a criminal trial that exonerates or tends to exonerate the defendant of guilt. It Learn More

What happens during the initial case consultation?

At the initial case consultation there is meeting between a potential criminal defense client and his attorney. It can occur over the Learn More

Understanding Probation in Vermont

Probation may be imposed at your sentencing. Sentencing is the last phase of the Vermont criminal process and occurs after you have Learn More

Suppression of Evidence in Vermont Criminal Court

Attorneys often speak of the suppression of evidence in Vermont criminal defense cases. What does it mean to suppress evidence in a Learn More

Vermont Criminal Defense During COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted Burke Law’s ability to quickly adapt to an ever-changing Vermont criminal defense environment without compromising our commitment Learn More

Rethinking the Criminal Defense Law Firm

Criminal defense firms have historically been local, small, and owned by one to three white male law partners. Sometimes they have one Learn More

Getting to Know Zachery Weight

Attorney Zachery Weight is a seasoned trial attorney at Burke Law who focuses his practice on criminal defense in Northern Vermont. Attorney Learn More

Furlough & Probation in Vermont

When a criminal defendant is convicted and sentenced in Vermont he or she may be given a suspended jail sentence in exchange Learn More

Burke Law Criminal Defense Trial Win

On March 10, 2020, Attorney Jessica Burke won a jury trial for a client in Washington county. The client was acquitted of Learn More

Understanding Criminal Conditions of Release

Criminal conditions of release are a combination of rules imposed on a defendant by the Court. In other words, the judge outlines Learn More

Vermont Criminal Jury Trial

Anyone charged with a crime in Vermont is entitled to a jury trial. Jury trials involve picking a jury from a pool Learn More

Vermont Criminal Defense: Understanding Miranda

What does Miranda protect in Vermont criminal defense? Miranda warnings are one of the most misunderstood concepts in Vermont criminal defense. Miranda Learn More

Recent Vermont Criminal Defense Case Results

Burke Law is off to a successful 2020. So far our attorneys have achieved the following case results for our Vermont criminal Learn More

Pre-Trial Services in Vermont

Vermont Pre-Trial Services Vermont’s Pre-Trial Services is a voluntary program of the Vermont Attorney General’s office. The Court often does not explain Learn More

When does a prank become a crime?

Unlawful Mischief often begins as a prank. Many Vermont teens and young adult clients have told me that what became unlawful mischief Learn More

Arraignment In Vermont Criminal Court

The purpose of an arraignment is to tell a Vermont defendant what they are charged with and why they are charged with it. I Learn More

Vermont DUIs Below .08 BAC

Whether or not someone can be charged with a DUI if they are below the “legal limit” is a question I am Learn More

Dismissal of Criminal Case after Vermont Supreme Court Appeal

Attorney Leah Henderson got a dismissal of a criminal case in Windsor county for a Burke Law client. Attorney Henderson was able Learn More

“Jess is fantastic! Very up front and highly knowledgable with a strong community network behind her. Always does an outstanding job.”

“Jessica really made this process less stressful.”

“Jessica was very attentive and had answers to all of my questions. Due to the nature of my job a criminal conviction would be career ending. She worked hard to get an optimal result. The case and all charges were dismissed. I would highly recommend her services. Thank you Burke Law.”

Contact Burke Law for A Free Case Consultation

If you have been charged with a crime, or if you have not been formally charged with crime but are party to an ongoing investigation, contact us to ensure that your rights are protected from the earliest stages of the process. We offer free consultations and will work with you to find a time that accommodates your schedule.