Criminal Defense

“Everyone Deserves a solid criminal defense”

We believe that people of all backgrounds and circumstances share the same fundamental right — to be ably represented by a legal advocate who will look out for their best interests. Since 1982, we have worked hard to provide solid legal representation to our clients in a variety of legal disciplines.

Our criminal defense attorneys are highly experienced at trial. We defend clients across Central Virginia, including Lynchburg and Buckingham County, against a broad range of misdemeanor and felony charges. We work to get criminal charges reduced or dropped, and when possible, we seek to get our clients acquitted. If a conviction is inevitable, we strive to limit jail time, fines, and other negative consequences.

As a responsible criminal defense law firm, we do not make promises about the results we can deliver to our clients. However, we can promise this: If you retain our law firm, we will discuss your circumstances frankly and honestly, so that you understand exactly what you are up against and what your options may be. We will do everything in our power to provide you with a competent and effective criminal defense.

Traffic Defense

Cited for a traffic violation? Shrader & Goad in Amherst, Virginia, can provide the skilled representation you need and deserve.

In addition to local residents and other Virginians, we regularly represent out-of-state clients from Washington, D.C., Maryland, North Carolina, and beyond. In Virginia, there is no prayer for judgment procedure or probation before judgment procedure. Therefore, the case must be tried in a Virginia court.

Qualified representation at trial may protect your license in your home state. For example, many clients have commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs), others are college students,* and some are the parents of students who are stopped for traffic offenses while traveling through Central Virginia.