One of the attorneys who would work your file grew up in this city, and used to be the one deciding what charges like yours were worth. Joseph Rigney is a Chesapeake native and a former prosecutor. Decker Law defends misdemeanors and felonies through all three Chesapeake courts. Call 757-622-3317 — free and confidential, any hour.
A CHESAPEAKE NATIVE WHO USED TO PROSECUTE
Joseph Rigney grew up here. He spent part of his career as a prosecutor before he spent it defending people, and he now tries civil and criminal cases across all seven Hampton Roads cities. This is the one he is from. That is not sentiment — it means the streets in your file are streets he knows, and the way this courthouse actually runs is something he learned from the other side of it.
He is not alone in that history. George Neskis spent four years as an Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney, and Cole Roberts began as a public defender, which is the heaviest caseload anybody in a courthouse carries. Between them they have watched cases get charged, screened and priced long before a defense lawyer ever saw the file. That is a practical advantage, not a relational one.
What it buys you is specific. Knowing which files the Commonwealth is quietly unsure of. What a reduction usually takes here. How a General District morning genuinely unfolds on the day you were told to show up, and how much of that day you should expect to spend waiting. Cole has put charges from assault and battery through to murder in front of juries, and a prosecutor who expects a trial handles a file differently from one who expects a plea.
WHAT WE BRING TO A CHESAPEAKE FILE
Someone who is from here
Joseph Rigney is a Chesapeake native and a former prosecutor. Both halves of that matter, and they are hard to hire for.
A former public defender
Cole Roberts learned this work under the heaviest caseload in the building, which is where you see every version of every charge.
A record of going to trial
Prosecutors keep track of which attorneys try cases and which ones do not. What gets offered tends to reflect it.
WHAT HAPPENS AFTER A CHESAPEAKE ARREST
Most people who call us have never done this and have no picture of what comes next. Broadly: a magistrate decides bond, an arraignment follows in the General District Court, and after that either a trial date in that court or — if the charge is a felony — a preliminary hearing to decide whether the matter is certified to a grand jury and sent up to the Circuit Court.
What matters more than the sequence is the timing. A bond argument is a different animal prepared than assembled at the podium. A witness reached in March remembers the evening; reached in August, they remember being asked about it. And the record built in the lower court is read in the higher one, which means the early appearances are not warm-ups for the real thing. They are part of it.
So the reason to call early rather than late is not urgency for its own sake. It is that the things worth doing have to be done while there is still a stage in front of them. Nobody here will only tell you what you want to hear about a charge — but on the first call you will hear the realistic range of outcomes, and what has to happen this week to protect the better end of it.
Peter Decker, III focuses his practice on criminal, traffic, and personal injury. He regularly practices in the General District, Juvenile and Domestic Relations, and Circuit Courts of Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Chesapeake, Portsmouth, Hampton, Suffolk and Newport News.
MEET OUR LAWYERS
Cole Roberts
A Norfolk native and former Public Defender, Cole Roberts represents clients in criminal defense and traffic matters, from reckless driving and DUI to serious felonies. He has tried numerous jury cases across the seven Hampton Roads cities.
MEET OUR LAWYERS
Jeffrey Partington
A Virginia Beach native, Jeffrey Partington serves clients in personal injury, workers’ compensation, and business law, and has worked both sides of the aisle. He practices in the courts of Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Newport News, Portsmouth, Hampton, and Suffolk.
MEET OUR LAWYERS
Joseph Rigney
A Chesapeake native and former prosecutor, Joseph Rigney focuses on personal injury and criminal defense, including traffic law. He tries both civil and criminal cases in the courts of Norfolk, Portsmouth, Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Suffolk, Hampton, and Newport News.
MEET OUR LAWYERS
Michelle Parker
Michelle Parker concentrates on personal injury, elder law, wills, trusts and estates, litigation, corporate law, and criminal defense. She handles civil, probate, and traffic cases throughout the seven cities of Greater Hampton Roads.
years defending these charges in Hampton Roads courts
HEAR FROM THE PEOPLE DECKER LAW HAS HELPED
Julia W.
I called the office to see if I could speak to somebody concerning a question I had helping a family member that was very important and urgent. Joe Rigney returned my call immediately. He was very pleasant and eager to help. Thank you so much.
Mr Pete Decker is very professional and honest, it was a pleasure working with him. He definitely keeps it real and sugar coats NOTHING! His assistant is very involved in making sure request and contact with Mr Decker is as prompt as possible, she play a major role and does it well. Thank you for everything Decker Law Firm.
Professionalism, personable, efficiency, and masters of the craft. These are all accurate descriptions of The Decker Law Firm. At each stage of the process, their pragmatic approach kept the goal in sight while being keenly aware of the risks. Though nothing is ever guaranteed, an unusually strong sense of security existed while in their care. Highly recommended. It was a pleasure to work with Peter Decker and the rest of the team.
Decker Law Firms reputation is premier in the Hampton Roads region for good reason: They get the job done. I called Decker Law firm completely distraught after a fraudulent DV situation. Attorney Cole Roberts heard my side of the story and told me he can help. We were not satisfied with the deal offered and decided to take it to trial. His cross examination sealed the deal and two fraudulent charges were ultimately dismissed. I highly recommend Attorney Cole Roberts and Decker Law Firm.
I cannot recommend The Decker Law Firm highly enough!Recently, I had the pleasure of working with one of their newest attorneys, Joe Rigney, and I was beyond impressed. Joe stepped into my difficult situation with both confidence and compassion. He took the time to understand every aspect of my circumstances, asked thoughtful questions, and carefully walked me through my options. It was clear he was determined to find the best path forward for me, and his dedication and attention to detail made all the difference.
I had a denied bond at Virginia Beach Correctional on a holiday week.Cole Roberts worked fast to get me a bond hearing and had a bondsman lined up for me I was out by lunch time the same day and looking forward to him representing me on my case. He’s prompt, caring and respected in the courtroom. THANK YOU Cole Roberts.
Decker Law Secures Another Big Verdict Against Major Insurance Carrier
Decker Law Secures Big Verdict Against Insurance Carrier Make that another major victory for Decker Law against a powerful insurance company. Attorney…
Michelle Parker Named Leader in Law by Virginia Lawyers Media
Attorney Michelle Parker Named as a ‘Leader in Law’ by Virginia Lawyers Media Decker Law is pleased to announce that attorney Michelle Parker received…
