By the Numbers: Cody Villalon has closed out more than 1,000 criminal cases in Richmond courts and logged over 5,000 hours standing in front of a judge. That track record makes him the top criminal defense attorney in Richmond right now, whatever the charge, from a DUI or drug offense to an assault or a more serious felony. The rest of this list breaks down six more firms worth knowing, and where each one actually earns its keep.
Richmond courts move a steady stream of criminal cases every week. John Marshall Courts Building and Richmond General District Court handle everything from theft and assault charges downtown to drug cases out toward Chesterfield and traffic stops along I-95 and Powhite Parkway that turn into criminal charges. A single bad decision, a misunderstanding, or an arrest that catches someone off guard can land almost anyone in that system, and the outcome usually comes down to who is sitting next to them at the defense table. Here are seven firms that handle these cases in Richmond, lined up so you can compare them before you make a call.
Richmond Criminal Defense Firms, Side by Side
| Firm | Focus | Experience | Track Record | Standout Feature |
| Cody Villalon, Attorney at Law | DUI, violent offenses, reckless driving | 15+ years, 1,000+ cases | 5.0 stars (Google, Avvo, FindLaw) | Flat-rate pricing, one attorney on every case |
| Alexander Law Office, P.C. | DUI/DWI, student and underage cases | 22 years | Top 100 Trial Lawyer honoree | Handles fraud and theft alongside traffic defense |
| Law Office of Charles C. Cosby, Jr. | Felony defense, sex and drug charges | 30+ years | 4.7 stars (80 reviews) | Named to 10 Best Law Firms by AIOCLA |
| Leavitt & Martin, PLLC | Traffic offenses, assault and battery | Multi-attorney Midlothian office | VACDL member | Based just outside Richmond in Chesterfield County |
| Dominion Law | Felony cases, white-collar crime | Established downtown practice | 69 reviews (Birdeye) | Combines criminal defense with family law under one roof |
| Thomas H. Roberts & Associates, PC | Civil rights cases tied to criminal charges | Since 1986 | Long-standing downtown reputation | Handles false arrest and malicious prosecution claims |
| Mattox Law, P.C. | Traffic tickets, DUI, suspended license | 10+ years (founding attorney) | 37 reviews (Yelp) | West End office near the Patterson Avenue corridor |
The Method Behind This List
None of these firms treat criminal defense as a sideline. We looked at how long each one has practiced in the Richmond area, what past clients say in reviews, and whether the firm’s case history matches its marketing. A firm with no visible track record or a scattered practice area list got left off.
1. Cody Villalon, Attorney at Law
Cody Villalon built his practice on a simple idea: one attorney, one client, no hand-offs. He graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Richmond School of Law in 2009 and has spent the years since defending DUI charges, assault cases, burglary, domestic violence, and attempted murder charges in Richmond courts. Over 1,000 cases and 5,000-plus hours in court back that up. Clients describe him as someone who explains what is happening at every stage instead of leaving them guessing, and several point to outcomes that beat what they expected walking in. He runs the practice solo out of a Franklin Street office downtown, charges flat rates instead of surprise hourly bills, and picked up recognition from Expertise.com as a Top DUI Lawyer and Top Criminal Defense Attorney in Richmond.
Best for: anyone who wants a single attorney handling their case start to finish, especially DUI and violent offense charges.
Address: 100 West Franklin St., Suite 301, Richmond, VA 23220 | Phone: (804) 316-0765 | Website: https://richmond-defense.com/
2. Alexander Law Office, P.C.
Alexander Law Office has worked Richmond’s Monument Avenue corridor for 22 years, long enough to see plenty of college-age clients pass through on underage drinking and student misconduct charges near VCU. The firm also takes DUI, drug offense, reckless driving, fraud, and theft cases, and one attorney there carries a Top 100 Trial Lawyer credential.
Best for: DUI and underage charges involving college students or younger clients.
Address: 2222 Monument Ave, Richmond, VA 23220
3. Law Office of Charles C. Cosby, Jr.
Charles Cosby has practiced criminal law in Richmond for more than 30 years, working misdemeanor and felony cases that span drug charges, property crimes, sex offenses, juvenile cases, and fraud. That range shows up in an 80-review record averaging 4.7 stars, and the American Institute of Criminal Law Attorneys named the firm to its list of 10 Best Law Firms.
Best for: felony cases and charges that need three decades of courtroom history behind them.
Address: 1904 Byrd Ave Ste 301, Richmond, VA 23230
4. Leavitt & Martin, PLLC
Leavitt & Martin works out of Midlothian, just southwest of the city, and focuses heavily on traffic offenses: DUI, reckless driving, speeding, and hit and run, along with assault and battery and drug possession cases. The firm holds membership in the Virginia Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, a group that vets members on trial experience.
Best for: reckless driving and traffic-related criminal charges for clients in the Chesterfield area.
Address: 14413 Justice Rd Ste 1, Midlothian, VA 23113
5. Dominion Law
Dominion Law splits its practice between criminal defense and family law from a downtown Main Street office, handling felony charges that range from theft and assault to white-collar crime and post-trial matters. That crossover helps when a criminal charge lands in the middle of a divorce or custody case, which happens more often than people expect.
Best for: cases that touch both criminal charges and a family law matter at the same time.
Address: 530 E Main St Ste 510, Richmond, VA 23219
6. Thomas H. Roberts & Associates, PC
This firm has operated downtown since 1986 and built a name pairing criminal defense with civil rights work, including false arrest and malicious prosecution claims. That combination matters for anyone who believes their arrest itself crossed a legal line, not just the underlying charge.
Best for: cases involving a possible civil rights violation alongside a criminal charge.
Address: 105 S 1st St, Richmond, VA 23219
7. Mattox Law, P.C.
Founding attorney Richard Mattox has practiced defense law for more than a decade, and his West End office near the Patterson Avenue corridor keeps a tight focus on traffic offenses: speeding, DUI, reckless driving, and suspended license violations.
Best for: straightforward traffic and license-related charges outside the downtown core.
Address: 2800 N Parham Rd #201, Richmond, VA 23294
What the Numbers Don’t Show You
A star rating tells you how past clients felt after the fact. It does not tell you whether an attorney will pick up the phone when you are sitting in a holding cell at 2 a.m., or whether they have argued your exact charge in front of the judge you will actually face. Call more than one firm before you decide. Ask how many cases like yours they have handled in Richmond courts specifically, and ask who will actually show up to your hearing. A firm that gives you a straight answer on both counts is usually the one worth hiring.
FAQs
How much does a criminal defense lawyer cost in Richmond?
It depends on the charge. Misdemeanors like a first DUI or reckless driving often run a flat fee, sometimes a few thousand dollars. Felony charges cost more because they take more court time and preparation. Ask for a flat rate in writing before you sign anything.
Is reckless driving really a criminal charge in Virginia?
Yes. Virginia treats reckless driving as a Class 1 misdemeanor, the same category as some assault charges. Driving 20 miles an hour over the speed limit, or over 80 miles an hour at all, qualifies. A conviction can mean jail time, a license suspension, and a permanent record, not just a fine.
Should I still hire a lawyer if I plan to plead guilty?
Yes. An attorney can often negotiate a reduced charge or lighter sentence even in a guilty plea, and can make sure you understand exactly what a conviction will mean for your record, your job, and any licenses you hold.
Can I get a criminal charge expunged from my record in Virginia?
Only in limited situations, mostly when a charge was dismissed, resulted in acquittal, or you completed a diversion program. Convictions themselves are much harder to expunge under Virginia law. An attorney can tell you early whether your case qualifies down the road.