Meet Jessica
Jessica Burke is the Founder of Burke Law. Ms. Burke grew up in Fairlee, Vermont and Hanover, New Hampshire.
Prior to founding Burke Law in 2011, Ms. Burke worked as a Public Defender in Chesapeake, Virginia where she tried hundreds of cases ranging from simple assault to first degree murder. She has also advocated for defendants’ rights in the international arena by touring correctional facilities and interviewing prisoners in Liberia in collaboration with the United Nations’ detainee treatment initiative. Ms. Burke’s practice is currently focused on criminal defense within Vermont, but she has been admitted to practice in Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and Virginia and has zealously represented criminal defendants in all four states. Ms. Burke has practiced in all 14 Vermont County Superior Criminal Courts and has argued before the full Vermont Supreme Court.
When Ms. Burke is outside of the office she enjoys spending time with family and friends, hiking with her two golden retrievers, running, and sampling Vermont’s finest craft brews.
Education
She attended Boston College where she obtained her B.A. in Political Science. She received her J.D. from Washington & Lee University in Lexington, Virginia.
Case Results
State v. E.P. Docket 2018 VT 85
Charge: Sexual Assault
Disposition: Reduced charges of misdemeanor prohibited conduct
Case Result: The trial court wrongfully denied the defendant’s waiver of direct appeal at his change of plea. Burke Law appealed to the Vermont Supreme Court and won a reversal and remand to the trial court.
State v. N.B.
Charge: DUI & Civil DUI
County: Chittenden
Disposition: DUI civil Dismissed after hearing by the Court; DUI criminal reduced to Negligent Operation
State v. R.G.
Charge: Sexual Assault
County: Chittenden
Disposition: Prohibited Conduct (misdemeanor) & Simple Assault (misdemeanor)
State v. J.L.
Charge: Domestic Assault & Reckless Endangerment
Disposition: Dismissed
State v. M.S.
Charge: Negligent Operation
County: Chittenden
Disposition: Dismissed pre-arraignment
State v. M.F.
Charge: Lewd and Lascivious Conduct
County: Chittenden
Disposition: Prohibited Conduct (misdemeanor)
State v. R.B.
Charge: Aggravated Sexual Assault with a Child
County: Windsor
Disposition: Dismissed
State v. J.B.
Charge: Aggravated Assault
County: Chittenden
Disposition: Referred to Youthful Offender for non-criminal resolution
State v. E.V.
Charge: Negligent Operation
County: Chittenden
Disposition: Diversion
State v. O.C.
Charge: Possession of Stolen Property
County: Lamoille
Disposition: Diversion
State v. M.A.
Charge: DUI
County: Lamoille
Disposition: Diversion
State v. D.F.
Charge: DUI
County: Chittenden
Disposition: Dismissed