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24 Sep, 2024 by Kemp
Attorney Latuga represented me in a wreckless driving case in Norfolk 2024. Attorney Latuga skillfully convinced the Judge to reduce my violation to a defective equipment citation. No misdemeanor, no points off my license and most importantly, no jail time. I highly reccomend Attourney Latuga.
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23 Sep, 2024 by Felicia carver
Mr. Latuga definitely knows what he's doing and is open about the process. He ensures that he is prepared and works in the best interest of his clients. He comes highly recommended and I understand why! If you need and attorney then he's your guy!
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08 Sep, 2024 by Nabil sawal
Hands down the only lawyer you need. Go ahead and give his office a call and thank me later. Professionalism at its best. Thank you Mr. Latuga for all the hard work you put in for your clients.
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10 Jun, 2024 by David sybers
Excellent service and took time to explain everything.
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07 May, 2024 by Carrie coffman
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07 May, 2024 by Belinda smith
Her service was very compassionate and understanding. She took the time to explain everything. She addressed all of our needs and represented us very well. She knows her clients and has great knowledge of law. I would return to her for any future matters if needed.
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21 Oct, 2022 by Gregory
I hired patty for legal issue I was involved with I can't begin to compliment or thank her for the assistance she gave me 5 stars do not address her in my words patty she be nominated for sainthood she's incredible she saved me and my daughters life if you ever need legal services don't waste time with others patty is more than a team player she's the CAPTAIN !! of the team
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19 Apr, 2022 by Anonymous
Patty was able to help me with a fabricated domestic violence charge levied against me during a contentious custody case. She leveraged her knowledge of both practices of law to get me the best outcome possible and put her neck out for me. I will be forever grateful for hiring her to represent me!
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15 Feb, 2017 by Cedric
She went beyond the call of Duty for me!she knows what's best and a team player that plays for her clients!she is personal,approachable and one on one when it comes to getting the best outcome for her clients. I did alot of research before making her my lawyer...her being my lawyer is one of the best decisions I've ever made
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01 Aug, 2023 by Jikeira
I was highly satisfied with Mr.Casanova. he was very attentive and made sure to hear me through my case . I was please to have not had an bad charge tie to my record that could've stopped me from going places and succeeding in life. I want to thank him for having my back and making sure I knew it !
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19 Feb, 2020 by Giang
It was a professional & wonderful experience to work with Josue. He got my reckless driving case completely dismissed! He always called and checked up on me before the court day to see how I was doing and if I had any special request. I'd call him again if anything happens.
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10 Jan, 2020 by Eva
I was convicted of assault and battery and I didn’t know which law firm to go with. I found Josue Casanova after I did a google search of criminal lawyers in my area. After speaking with him, I decided to hire him as my lawyer and it was the best decision I could have made. He met with me about 5 times in the span of two months for a significant amount of time and spent a lot of time on my case outside of our appointments. He was attentive, showed that he genuinely cared, and was very personable. He was able to settle outside of court on my behalf and get me what I wanted out of the case. He also didn’t try to get a ridiculous amount of money out of me like so many lawyers try to. Something really neat was that the head of the firm would occasionally join us during our appointments, which was awesome. I 100% recommend Josue Casanova. He is an amazing lawyer and person.
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07 Jul, 2016 by Anonymous
Mr. Barney and his staff were amazing. They always return calls and/or emails and their knowledge made me very confident in the outcome of my matter which leads me to the outcome, I was more than pleased!!
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04 Jun, 2013 by Erick
Mr. Jacobson had all my witnesses in court and by my side ready and willing to back me up. He gave me his word that he will perform as professionally and efficiently as possible and he did. In fact he investigated my case more than the police department and myself. He was thorough and kept me and my wife optimistic.
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14 Aug, 2024 by Lindsey riley
If you ever find yourself needing an attorney for yourself or in my case my child Attorney Anton Karpov is an excellent choice. As a mother I was extremely nervous my son had found himself in an unfortunate situation that was blown way out of proportion and had to go to court. My child had never ever been in any trouble. Mr Karpov is a straight shooter and very professional. From the consultation to the courtroom he answered all 1000 questions I asked him and made me feel very reassured. His communication was excellent and he kept me informed until the court date. He also took the time to meet with my young teen and spoke to him like a coach or mentor would which I appreciated. You can tell he truly cares about his clients. We had an excellent outcome at court and my son is having his charges dismissed with good behavior. Thank you
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14 Aug, 2024 by Ken nguyen
Had a RD case in VA Beach, i’m from up north and Attorney Karpov had the case reduced to a speed infraction and i didn’t even have to come down there as promised!
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13 Aug, 2024 by Ken nguyen
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17 Sep, 2024 by Joshua bohr
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08 Sep, 2024 by Jeremy krueger
Kathryn and the other folks at Shaheen Law Firm were fantastic to work with. They were timely with communication, very thorough, and called me with any information and updates as we went through the closing process on my new home. Friendly from start to finish - I would recommend this group to anyone for the closing of their home in the Virginia Beach area.
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01 Sep, 2024 by Gail wilson
Robin was polite, professional, proficient, and prompt. She made the closing process, which can be nerve- wracking, as easy and uncomplicated as possible. She responded to all of my emails quickly, and she never seemed annoyed with my multitude of questions. Thank you Robin and Shaheen Law Firm.
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17 Apr, 2024 by Delilah ndambuki
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02 Apr, 2024 by Theresa grady
Attorney Dixon was very attentive. She explained the process each step of the way. She was fearless in court and when dealing with opposing counsel. I was confident in her ability to handle my case and was very satisfied with the outcome. She is very knowledgeable of military separation laws. Hopefully I will never be in this situation again, but if I am, I would definitely use her again. I was very pleased with Attorney Dixon and her team.
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12 Mar, 2024 by Kayla mcdonald
Ms. Dixon is extremely well educated and means business. She is very good at what she does! I highly recommend coming to her, she was great to work with and her paralegal was also very nice and helpful as well. Both very respectful, communication was great and take matters seriously! 100% recommend!
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16 Aug, 2024 by Juli edwards-mcdaniel
Shelly Wood and Caryn West have been so helpful for all our needs!
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16 Aug, 2024 by Michelle brown
I would highly recommend allowing Mr. Barlow and his paralegal Ms. Whitmore to manage you legal needs. I appreciated Mr. Barlow taking the time to explain legal terms and the various options I had available to meet my estate planning needs. They prevented the process of creating a will from being unpleasant, thanks again!
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16 Aug, 2024 by Caitlin matthews
My husband and I recently had the opportunity to meet Shelly Wood. While she did not directly represent us, she did a family member with a custody court case. We were extremely impressed with her professionalism, how committed she is, and goes above and beyond to assist. Also very caring. I highly recommend her, you cannot go wrong!!
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03 Oct, 2024 by Leslie sims
Mr. Miller and his staff was very professional throughout a matter involving my case. Two charges were dropped, one being a felony due to Mr. Miller insisting all evidence be thoroughly reviewed. I would recommend Mr. Miller.
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03 Oct, 2024 by William perry
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27 Sep, 2024 by Makayla nance
Jeffrey was my attorney in my case and him and his team were absolutely amazing from the very beginning and doing everything that was needed! He is very thorough with his work and knows what he is doing and how to make sure his clients walk away satisfied. Thank you guys so much!!!
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03 Nov, 2019 by Anonymous
She was my attorney for over two years. I really feel I did most of the work and she charged me for it. I was never charged paralegal rates for simple tasks or quick emails, she always charged me her full rate. She and her paralegal were incompetent when it came to navigating basic google drive etc. I had entire drive prepared myself with folders of evidence and information and neither of them could navigate it. Plenty of times she was unprofessional towards me, the opposing counsel and the judge. She often made me feel uncomfortable or stupid for asking questions about my own case or proceedings. On one occasion she called me an hour before our big trial claiming to have "lost" all the documents and requesting I bring all my own copies. She was then late to that trial, annoying the judge. During the trial she let the opposing counsel talk circles around her. It wasn't until I no longer used her services and did the continuing litigation on my own that I started actually getting the results I desired and began avoiding unnecessary or prolonged litigation. If you are searching for a legit attorney who will work FOR YOU I strongly recommend you hire someone other than Rita Ros-Planas.
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09 Aug, 2016 by Danny
As my family's general counsel, Rita Ros-Planas essentially saved my ass from legal and practical torture twice—once during a landlord-tenant issue and another time in a complex family trust situation. If there's one thing I'm confident of, it's Rita's incredible work ethic, knowledge-base and perseverance. You'll want to have a consultation :-)
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05 Mar, 2016 by Anonymous
I consulted with Ms. Ros-Planas in an emergency child custody situation when a family member took my nephew across state lines without permission. She knew exactly how to handle the situation and did so in a very caring manner. She even followed up to confirm the child's safe return, though I ended up not needing to hire her. I give her an unqualified five star recommendation. MGS
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What a Domestic Violence Lawyer Can Do for You

A domestic violence lawyer provides legal assistance to individuals involved in cases of domestic abuse, whether you are a victim seeking protection or someone accused of domestic violence defending against the charges. These lawyers help with obtaining restraining orders (protective orders), representing clients in criminal court, and handling related family law issues such as child custody, divorce, and visitation rights.

If you are dealing with domestic violence, a lawyer can help protect your rights and navigate the legal system to ensure your safety or defend you if you’re falsely accused.

When Should I Hire a Domestic Violence Lawyer?

You should consider hiring a domestic violence lawyer if you are:

  • A Victim of Domestic Violence:
    • Filing for a protective order (restraining order): If you need immediate protection from an abuser, a lawyer can help you file for a protective order, which legally requires the abuser to stay away from you and refrain from contacting you.
    • Divorce or separation due to abuse: If domestic violence is a factor in your relationship, a lawyer can help you pursue a divorce or legal separation and ensure that you are protected throughout the process.
    • Child custody and visitation issues: A lawyer can help you secure custody of your children and limit or restrict the abuser’s visitation rights to protect the safety of your children.
    • Filing criminal charges: If you are pursuing criminal charges against the abuser, a domestic violence lawyer can work with law enforcement and prosecutors to ensure the case is handled properly.
    • Assistance with safety planning: A lawyer can advise on the legal steps to create a safety plan, including securing temporary housing, and taking steps to protect you and your family.
  • Accused of Domestic Violence:
    • Defending against criminal charges: If you’ve been accused of domestic violence, a lawyer can defend your case, challenge the evidence, and represent you in court. If possible, the lawyer can help get charges reduced or dismissed.
    • Challenging a restraining order: If someone has obtained a protective order against you, a lawyer can help you contest the order to prevent it from negatively impacting your life, including your employment and child custody rights.
    • Dealing with family law issues: Domestic violence allegations can affect child custody, divorce, and property division. A lawyer can represent your interests in family court and ensure that your parental rights are protected.
    • Avoiding criminal record implications: A lawyer can work to minimize the impact of the allegations on your record, which can affect your employment, housing, and future legal matters.

Hiring a lawyer at the earliest stages can help ensure your rights are protected and the case is handled effectively, whether you are seeking protection or defending against accusations.

What Does a Domestic Violence Lawyer Do?

A domestic violence lawyer provides various legal services depending on the specifics of your case. These responsibilities often include:

  • For Victims:
    • Filing for protective orders: A lawyer can help victims of domestic violence obtain temporary or permanent restraining orders, which provide legal protection by restricting the abuser’s access to you and your children.
    • Representing you in divorce and child custody matters: Domestic violence often leads to divorce or separation, and a lawyer can represent you in family court to protect your assets, secure custody of your children, and arrange spousal and child support.
    • Criminal representation: Lawyers work with law enforcement and prosecutors to pursue criminal charges against the abuser, ensuring that you are informed and supported throughout the legal process.
    • Safety planning and legal advice: Lawyers provide advice on how to stay safe legally and can assist in securing temporary housing, providing guidance on how to leave abusive situations safely.
  • For the Accused:
    • Defending against charges: A lawyer will build a defense by investigating the case, gathering evidence, and challenging the claims made against you. If necessary, the lawyer can negotiate with prosecutors to reduce charges or penalties.
    • Challenging protective orders: If a restraining order has been placed against you, a lawyer can contest the order and present evidence to defend against it, aiming to minimize its impact on your life and reputation.
    • Handling related family law issues: Lawyers help defend against domestic violence allegations in divorce, child custody, and visitation disputes, working to protect your parental rights and reputation.
    • Preventing long-term consequences: A lawyer will work to protect you from the long-term consequences of a domestic violence conviction, such as a criminal record that could affect employment, housing, and more.

How Are Domestic Violence Lawyers Paid?

Domestic violence lawyers generally charge for their services in different ways depending on the case's complexity and the type of legal work involved. Common payment structures include:

  • Hourly rate: Many domestic violence lawyers charge by the hour, with rates ranging from $150 to $500 or more, depending on the lawyer’s experience and location. Hourly rates are common for both criminal defense and family law matters.
  • Flat fee: For specific tasks, such as filing a restraining order or defending against a straightforward domestic violence charge, some lawyers offer a flat fee that covers all legal work related to that service.
  • Retainer: In complex cases, such as those involving criminal charges, divorce, and custody disputes, a lawyer may require a retainer fee, which is an upfront payment that covers future legal services.
  • Pro bono or reduced fees: Some domestic violence lawyers provide pro bono (free) or reduced-fee services to victims of domestic abuse who cannot afford legal representation.

It’s important to discuss fees during your consultation to ensure you understand how much your case will cost and what payment options may be available.

How Much Does a Domestic Violence Lawyer Cost?

The cost of hiring a domestic violence lawyer depends on the complexity of your case, the lawyer’s experience, and the type of legal work required. General cost estimates include:

  • Restraining orders: The legal fees for filing a protective or restraining order typically range from $500 to $2,500, depending on whether the case requires a hearing.
  • Criminal defense: If you’re defending against domestic violence charges, legal fees may range from $2,500 to $15,000 or more, depending on whether the case goes to trial and the severity of the charges.
  • Family law issues: Legal fees for divorce, child custody, and other family law issues related to domestic violence can range from $3,000 to $15,000 or more, depending on the complexity of the case.
  • Hourly rates: Domestic violence lawyers typically charge between $150 and $500 per hour for their services, with more experienced lawyers charging higher rates.

Always ask for a detailed cost estimate during your consultation to understand the total cost of legal services.

Top Questions to Ask a Domestic Violence Lawyer

Before hiring a domestic violence lawyer, it’s important to ask key questions to ensure they have the right experience and approach for your case. Key questions to ask include:

  1. What experience do you have with domestic violence cases?
    Ensure that the lawyer has handled domestic violence cases similar to yours, whether you’re a victim or the accused.
  2. How do you charge for your services?
    Clarify whether the lawyer charges by the hour, flat fees, or a retainer, and ask for a detailed cost estimate.
  3. What is the likely outcome of my case?
    Ask the lawyer for an honest assessment of your case, including potential challenges and expected outcomes.
  4. How long will the process take?
    Domestic violence cases vary in length, so ask the lawyer how long they expect the process to last and what might cause delays.
  5. Will I need to appear in court?
    Ask if your participation in court is required, and how the lawyer plans to represent you during hearings or trials.
  6. What steps should I take to protect myself or my rights?
    Whether you’re a victim seeking protection or defending against allegations, ask the lawyer how they will help you navigate the situation.

How to Check the Credibility of a Domestic Violence Lawyer

To ensure you are hiring a reputable domestic violence lawyer, take the following steps to verify their credentials and track record:

  • Check their bar status: Verify with your state bar association that the lawyer is licensed and in good standing with no history of disciplinary actions.
  • Look for domestic violence experience: Review the lawyer’s website or professional profile to ensure they specialize in domestic violence cases and have successfully handled cases like yours.
  • Read client reviews and testimonials: Look for reviews on platforms like Avvo, Martindale-Hubbell, or Google to see what previous clients say about their experience with the lawyer.
  • Ask for references: A reputable lawyer should be able to provide references from past clients who have been involved in domestic violence cases.
  • Check for memberships in relevant organizations: Look for certifications or memberships in family law or domestic violence advocacy groups, such as the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV).

What Should I Prepare for My First Consultation?

To get the most out of your first consultation with a domestic violence lawyer, it’s important to come prepared with relevant documents and information. Here’s what you should bring:

  • For Victims:
    • Details of the abuse: Prepare a detailed account of the abuse, including dates, locations, and descriptions of any injuries or threats.
    • Police reports and medical records: Bring copies of any police reports, medical records, or photographs that document the abuse.
    • Legal filings: If you have already filed for a restraining order or been involved in any legal proceedings, bring copies of those documents.
    • Questions about your safety and legal options: Be ready to ask about the best steps to protect yourself and your family, as well as what legal actions you should pursue.
  • For the Accused:
    • Details of the allegations: Prepare a detailed account of the incident or allegations against you, including any evidence or witnesses that support your defense.
    • Legal documents: Bring any legal documents you have received, such as a restraining order, criminal charges, or child custody filings.
    • Questions about your defense: Prepare questions about the legal process, possible penalties, and how the lawyer plans to defend your case.

By preparing thoroughly for your consultation, you can help the lawyer assess your situation and provide the best possible legal advice.

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