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 is 24 hour curfew in Vermont?

24 hour curfew is a condition of release in Vermont that requires a defendant to reside and stay at a specific residence Learn More

Can I transfer my case to a different court?

A Vermont criminal defendant may want to transfer his case to a different court. This called a change of venue. Change of Learn More

How do I get a new trial?

If a criminal defendant wants a new trial there are criteria for eligibility. The criteria are described in Vermont Rule of Criminal Learn More

Probable Cause Principles in Vermont Criminal Defense

Probable cause principles are vital to understanding Vermont criminal defense. To establish probable cause, “police officers must be able to point to Learn More

Violation of Conditions of Release

A violation of conditions of release can have serious consequences in Vermont. A defendant who is caught violating conditions of release may Learn More

What is Bail in Vermont?

Bail in Vermont is either a secured or unsecured amount of money that must be paid (or promised to be paid) to Learn More

Arraignment in Vermont Criminal Court

An arraignment in Vermont criminal court is a defendant’s first appearance. It is a constitutionally mandated opportunity for a Vermont criminal defendant Learn More

What occurs during a criminal defense consultation?

A criminal defense consultation is the initial meeting between a potential criminal defense client and his attorney. The experienced attorneys at Burke Learn More

Conditions of Release in Vermont Criminal Court

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

What is an appeal in Vermont criminal court?

Criminal Appeal Basics An appeal is the review of the trial court’s activities for legal error. The appellate court only reviews the Learn More

Suppression of Evidence in Criminal Trials

If you’ve been charged with a crime but have doubts about a key piece of evidence, you may be able to get Learn More

Understanding Relevant Evidence

Relevant evidence is generally allowed in Vermont criminal trials. Irrelevant evidence is not allowed. Criminal defendants want to understand and participate in Learn More

Leaving the Scene of An Accident

In Vermont you can be charged for leaving the scene of accident if you do not stop and provide your name, residence, Learn More

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

The Discovery Process in Vermont Criminal Defense

Discovery is an important part of the criminal defense process in Vermont. After a defendant is arraigned the prosecutor must produce copies Learn More

What is an attorney or appear date?

An attorney or appear date is a court date given by the court to provide a defendant time to hire a criminal Learn More

Revocation and Modification of Probation

Revocation and modification of probation in Vermont is controlled by Vermont Rule of Criminal Procedure 32.1. The Rule outlines the procedure when Learn More

Attorney Wellness in Vermont

Attorney wellness is a frequent topic of conversation at Vermont bar events. Awareness around attorney mental health has steadily gained over the Learn More

The Right to a Jury Trial

This a brief summary from FindLaw about the right to a jury trial: The right to a jury trial is one of Learn More

Discovery in Vermont Criminal Cases

Discovery is an important part of the criminal defense process in Vermont. After a defendant is arraigned the prosecutor must produce copies Learn More

Motions in Criminal Defense

The purpose of motions in criminal defense is to communicate with the court and other parties. It is the way you ask Learn More

Probable Cause in Vermont Criminal Cases

Probable cause is a legal concept in Vermont criminal cases. To be arrested for DUI, or any crime in Vermont, probable cause Learn More

Policing in Vermont Must Change

Last week I was driving down Pearl Street in Burlington. There was a woman crossing in the crosswalk and so I stopped Learn More

Criminal Defense Strategies

FindLaw has created a good summary of how criminal defense strategies develop between attorney and client. The following is excerpted from here. Learn More

What to Wear to Vermont Criminal Court

Clients are often nervous about what they should wear to Vermont criminal court. Whether it is for an arraignment or testify as Learn More

Indigent Criminal Defense in Vermont

Indigent criminal defense in Vermont is provided through the Office of the Defender General. The Defender General began providing services to Vermont Learn More

Racial Injustice in Vermont

Racial injustice must be addressed in Vermont. In Vermont policing and prosecutions disproportionately effect people of color. According to the ACLU: “Vermont Learn More

Vermont Police Unions Resist Reforms

Quoted From Vermont Digger Article by Alan J. Keays available here. “Police union leaders are pushing back against a legislative Learn More

Jury Nullification

Jury nullification is when a jury decides not to follow the law. Below is excerpted from the CATO institute: The power of Learn More

David Scherr For Vermont State Senate

Burke Law is proud to support David Scherr for Vermont State Senate. David joined Burke Law in 2013 and fought for Vermonters Learn More

“Jessica Burke is not only a competent and professional attorney, but she is compassionate, understanding and honest. She was responsive and led me through a frightening and emotional case with grace. She created a positive and unexpected victory and for that I am forever grateful. I highly recommend Burke Law.”

“I engaged Jessica to represent one of my adult-aged children in connection with a motor vehicle offense. She was highly responsive, informative and practical in her handling of the matter. The result was outstanding. I would seek Jessica’s assistance again without hesitation.”

“Jessica, thank you so very much for all that you’ve done for me regarding my DUI. The plea agreement you brokered worked out better than I could have hoped for. Your quick response to emails and calls, expert legal advice, and court savvy were so important in obtaining a plea that was beyond what I even thought we could get. I’m very satisfied with your legal work, and very fortunate to have you represent me. I would recommend you to anyone who needs legal representation.”

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.