Virginia Beach Criminal Defense Attorney
Restore Order When Criminal Charges Create Chaos
757-337-2500
Facing a Criminal Charge in Virginia Beach? Here’s What’s at Stake
A criminal investigation, arrest, or indictment can create uncertainty that affects every aspect of your life. Your freedom, reputation, career, family, finances, military service, and future opportunities may all be at risk. Whether you are facing a misdemeanor charge in Virginia Beach General District Court, a felony prosecution in Virginia Beach Circuit Court, a federal investigation in Norfolk, or military disciplinary proceedings connected to your service, the decisions you make today can have lasting consequences.
At Invictus Law, we help individuals throughout Virginia Beach and Hampton Roads navigate criminal accusations with strength, strategy, and a clear plan forward. Our criminal defense team provides disciplined, trial-ready representation focused on protecting your rights while positioning you for the best possible outcome.
From DUI and drug charges to violent crimes, federal investigations, military justice matters, and security clearance concerns, our goal remains simple:
Restore Order. Protect Your Future. Move Forward with Confidence.
Criminal Defense Representation Throughout Hampton Roads
Criminal charges affect individuals throughout every community in Hampton Roads. Invictus Law represents clients in Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Chesapeake, Portsmouth, Suffolk, Hampton, and Newport News. Whether your case involves a traffic stop at the Oceanfront, an arrest in Town Center, allegations connected to Naval Air Station Oceana, or federal charges in Norfolk, our attorneys understand the local courts, procedures, and practical realities that can affect your case.
Our team regularly appears in:
· Virginia Beach General District Court
· Virginia Beach Circuit Court
· Virginia Beach Juvenile & Domestic Relations District Court
· Norfolk Federal Court
· Courts throughout Hampton Roads and Eastern Virginia
We also represent military personnel stationed at Naval Air Station Oceana, Naval Station Norfolk, Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek–Fort Story, Dam Neck, and other military installations throughout the region.
What’s at Stake in a Criminal Case?
The consequences of a criminal charge often extend far beyond the courtroom.
Depending on the allegations involved, a case may affect:
· Your freedom and criminal record
· Employment opportunities
· Professional licensing
· Security clearances
· Military careers and benefits
· Firearm rights
· Educational opportunities
· Personal and professional reputation
At Invictus Law, we evaluate both the immediate criminal allegations and the long-term consequences our clients may face.
Having a clear strategy from the beginning can help avoid mistakes that become difficult to correct later.
Criminal Defense Cases We Handle
Our criminal defense team represents individuals facing a wide range of misdemeanor, felony, federal, military, and security-clearance related matters throughout Virginia Beach and Hampton Roads.
How Invictus Law Helps
With Criminal Defense Cases
Case Assessment
We begin by understanding the allegations, reviewing available information, identifying immediate concerns, and explaining the legal issues involved.
Goal Planning
Before developing a defense strategy, we identify your priorities, discuss potential outcomes, and establish realistic expectations regarding timelines, risks, and available options.
Case Development
Many criminal cases require extensive investigation, evidence review, witness interviews, forensic analysis, digital evidence examination, and legal research. We work to identify weaknesses in the prosecution’s case and opportunities to strengthen your defense.
Strategy Planning
Once the facts are understood, we evaluate strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, risks, and potential resolutions before recommending a path forward.
Strategy Execution
Some cases resolve through negotiation or dismissal. Others require motions, hearings, suppression challenges, trial preparation, or courtroom advocacy. We continue to pursue your goals while keeping you informed throughout the process.
Resolution & The Way Forward
Whether through dismissal, negotiated resolution, trial verdict, appeal, expungement, or post-conviction relief, we help clients understand the outcome and the steps necessary to move forward.
An Arrest Is Not a Conviction
An arrest or criminal accusation does not automatically determine the outcome of your case. Criminal investigations are often based on incomplete information, conflicting statements, assumptions, or evidence that may later be challenged in court.
Our team carefully examines every case for constitutional issues, evidentiary weaknesses, procedural errors, credibility concerns, and opportunities to protect clients from unnecessary consequences.
What to Expect After an Arrest
The early stages of a criminal case can significantly impact the outcome. Decisions made immediately after an arrest often affect bond conditions, evidence preservation, witness availability, and defense strategy.
Our team helps clients navigate:
- 1. Arrest & Investigation
- 2Bond Hearings
- 3Protective Orders
- 4Preliminary Hearings
- 5Negotiations & Case Development
- 6Trial Preparation
- 7Sentencing or Resolution
- 8Appeals & Post-Conviction Relief
We work quickly to identify legal defenses, constitutional issues, evidentiary problems, and opportunities to protect our clients from unnecessary consequences.
Why Early Legal Representation Matters
The earliest stages of a criminal case are often the most important. Decisions made immediately after an arrest or investigation can affect bond conditions, evidence preservation, witness availability, and the overall direction of the case.
Speaking to law enforcement without legal representation, consenting to searches, communicating with alleged victims, or discussing allegations on social media can create serious complications. Early involvement by a criminal defense attorney may help protect constitutional rights, preserve favorable evidence, and prevent avoidable mistakes.
Every criminal case presents unique facts, legal issues, and potential consequences. A proactive defense allows your attorney to investigate independently, challenge weaknesses in the prosecution’s case, and position you for the strongest possible outcome.
At Invictus Law, our team moves quickly to evaluate the allegations, identify legal defenses, and begin developing a strategic plan designed to protect your future.
Why Choose Invictus Law for Your Criminal Defense Matter?
Criminal defense is not a secondary practice area at Invictus Law. Our team focuses on defending individuals accused of crimes and navigating the serious collateral consequences that often follow criminal allegations.
Clients choose our firm because we provide:
Trial-ready preparation from the beginning of the case
Former prosecutor insight into how cases are investigated and prosecuted
Strategic defense planning tailored to the facts and risks involved
Clear and responsive communication throughout representation
A disciplined team approach focused on protecting your future
Experience handling state, federal, military, and security-clearance matters
What Makes Invictus Law Different
A Unique Combination
Many firms handle criminal cases. What distinguishes Invictus Law is our combination of focused experience, military insight, local knowledge, and process-driven representation.
Former Prosecutors
Our attorneys include former prosecutors who understand how criminal cases are investigated, charged, and presented in court. That experience helps us identify weaknesses in the government’s case and develop effective defense strategies.
Local Experience Matters
Our team is deeply familiar with the courts, judges, prosecutors, and legal procedures throughout Virginia Beach and Hampton Roads. Local experience matters. Understanding how cases are handled in local courts helps us provide realistic expectations and effective representation.
Military and Security Clearance Experience
We also possess substantial experience representing military personnel, government employees, and security clearance holders throughout Hampton Roads. Few criminal defense firms understand the overlap between criminal charges, military consequences, federal employment concerns, and security clearance issues as thoroughly as Invictus Law.
Process-Driven Representation
Most importantly, we follow a proven process. Every criminal case begins with understanding the facts, identifying goals, evaluating options, developing a strategy, and maintaining clear communication throughout representation. We believe preparation reduces uncertainty, and informed clients make better decisions.
Our Attorneys
Each of our attorneys brings unique experience and perspective to the firm. Together, they collaborate on strategy, share ideas, and leverage one another’s strengths to help clients achieve the best possible outcome.
Rather than working in isolation, our attorneys regularly discuss complex legal issues, evaluate strategy, and draw upon one another’s courtroom experience. That means every client benefits from the collective knowledge of the firm—not just the experience of the attorney assigned to the case.
Eric Leckie
Founding Attorney. Marine Corps JAG. Former Prosecutor.
Founder of Invictus Law and a former United States Marine Corps Judge Advocate with over 23 years of trial experience in federal criminal defense, military law, and security clearance matters.
Shemeka Hankins
Former Prosecutor, Decorated Trial Attorney & Fearless Criminal Defense Lawyer
Partner. Former Prosecutor with the Virginia Beach and Norfolk Commonwealth Attorney's Office, recognized as a Super Lawyers Rising Star and Virginia State Bar Local Bar Leader of the Year.
Yolanda Beasley
Family Law and Trial Attorney. Certified Guardian ad Litem.
Virginia Beach native and certified Guardian ad Litem recognized as a Super Lawyers Rising Star (2023, 2024) and National Black Lawyers Top 40 Under 40.
Reviews & Results
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I speak to the police after an arrest or investigation?
In most situations, you should politely exercise your right to remain silent and request an attorney before answering questions. Statements made to law enforcement can later be used against you in court, even if you believe you are helping explain the situation. Early legal representation can help protect your rights and prevent unnecessary mistakes.
Will a criminal conviction affect my military career or security clearance?
Yes. Criminal allegations and convictions can affect military service, security clearance eligibility, professional licensing, and federal employment opportunities. Even misdemeanor offenses such as DUI, drug possession, or domestic violence allegations may create reporting obligations or clearance concerns for military personnel, government employees, and defense contractors.
Can criminal charges be reduced or dismissed?
Every case is different, but charges may sometimes be reduced, dismissed, or resolved favorably depending on the facts, evidence, constitutional issues, witness credibility, and procedural errors involved. Our team evaluates every case for opportunities to challenge evidence, negotiate resolutions, or prepare for trial when necessary.
Can a criminal record be cleared or expunged in Virginia?
Virginia law allows expungement in limited circumstances, including certain dismissals, acquittals, or cases where charges were not prosecuted. Eligibility depends on the outcome of the case and the specific circumstances involved. Our team evaluates whether clients may qualify for expungement or other post-conviction relief options.
What is the difference between a misdemeanor and a felony in Virginia?
Misdemeanors are generally less serious offenses that may carry penalties of up to 12 months in jail and fines, while felonies can result in prison sentences exceeding one year and long-term consequences affecting civil rights, firearm ownership, employment, and professional licensing. Even misdemeanor convictions can still have serious collateral consequences depending on the circumstances.
Legal Insights
