Copenhaver, Ellett & Derrico

Copenhaver, Ellett & Derrico

Copenhaver, Ellett & Derrico

Traffic, DUI-DWI, Criminal, Business, Motor Vehicle

Firm Size: 1
Fax 540-342-9258

Lawyers

About Law Firm

Roanoke Criminal Defense Attorneys Facing criminal charges in Virginia can be overwhelming. You may be unfamiliar with Virginia’s court process, not sure where to turn for help, or confused about your charge and possible penalties, while in the background the prosecution is building a case to prove your guilt. We want to help. At the law firm of Copenhaver, Ellett and Derrico, it is our goal to minimize the potential consequences of a criminal charge and help you move on with your life. Our law firm has been helping people who have been charged with crimes in the Roanoke area for over 50 years. As criminal defense attorneys, we meet people as they are going through one of the most stressful situations that they’ll ever face. Situations of stress tend to create pretty strong emotions, and we understand that. The first thing we do with our clients is try to demystify the legal system and eliminate anxiety they might have about what lies ahead of them. Because of this approach, our clients tell us on a regular basis how much they appreciate the way that we walk them through each stage of their case in a detailed, step by step manner. It’s incredibly important that both parties understand where the case currently stands, the next step in the process and expectations moving forward. This level of communication goes a long way in providing peace of mind for those we represent. In order to provide the best for our clients, we believe in being very accessible. If you become a client of ours, we make every effort to be available when you need us, and we will treat your time with respect. We are diligent when it comes to returning all phone calls. If we miss a call from you, you’ll hear back from us as soon as we’re available. While communication and accessibility are important, they are no substitute for experience and proven courtroom success. Our attorneys, Michelle Derrico and Rick Derrico, are in court nearly every day defending people in a variety of criminal and traffic cases. Our wealth of experience in defending a wide range of criminal and traffic cases is what allows us to ask the right questions so that we fully understand your case and potential penalties. While it is our experience in General District Court, Circuit Court, and United States District Court that allows us to understand how the prosecution will approach your case and how to craft a defense strategy that will help protect your freedoms. If you have found yourself charged with a crime and aren’t sure where to turn, give us a call. We can discuss the details of your case, the penalties you could be facing, and the options you have to improve your situation. An experienced Roanoke criminal attorney can give you the representation you need.

Please contact us for an initial consultation.

Notable Work

Publications

From the Blog Section: (http://www.roanokecriminalattorney.com/blog/)

Sexual Misconduct With Underage Students
Michelle C. F. Derrico, June 15, 2016

Johnson V. US
Michelle C. F. Derrico, May 20, 2016

How Virginia Forfeiture Laws Apply In Drug Cases
Michelle C. F. Derrico | April 16, 2016

Can The Police Force Me To Unlock My Phone?
Michelle C. F. Derrico | February 12, 2016

Preventing Rape On Campus Through Better Consent
Michelle C. F. Derrico | August 21, 2015

Reviews

Michelle was excellent, she was knowledgeable and walked me through the entire process. What to expect, what could happen. She provided me with great advice to be better prepared. At the end of the day, her knowledge and advocacy helped me mitigate my issue with ease. Highly recommend, especially for those out of towners like myself.

Richie Rodriguez

2021-12-07 07:40:18

Michelle Derrico represented me for a reasonable fee, showed great interest in my case, was sensitive to my concerns, and open to my input. She researched and built a case which she deployed in court to great affect. My case could have potentially resulted in suspension of my license, or a jail sentence. Michelle utilized her research skill, her understanding of the Law, and her expert court room approach, to have two of my charges dropped, and a third reduced to a simple traffic ticket. I was extremely happy with the outcome. I highly recommend Michelle Derrico. I hope I never again require the services of an attorney, but if I do, Michelle Derrico is the one I'll call.

Michael Bowers

2017-05-10 02:16:41

I called and Michelle assumed I didn’t have enough money because my cell phone had gotten cut off the day before, then she miss quoted me and hung up on me. She is rude and senseless if that’s what your looking for

Kelly Cooper

2020-01-30 22:52:32

Rick is the rare multi-practice attorney who actually knows more than one trick. He seems to have an encyclopedic knowledge of estate planning. Given virtually any scenario, Rick can cite personal and/or professional experience he's had with that very situation. He's mainly written wills and other documents for me and my family. However, I've also had the privilege of watching him at work in the courthouse as a trial attorney. He generally has a good rapport with clients, fellow lawyers and judges who comprise the 23rd Judicial District. He gets the job done efficiently and with good humor.

Keith Humphry

2018-06-20 05:04:54

I've worked with Rick & Michelle Derrico on many occasions. They have assisted me with legal matters related to a rental property I own, with real estate contract issues my clients have confronted, and with Homeowner Association issues, where I'm the treasurer. Without exception, in all my dealings with them, I have been very pleased with their knowledge of the law, professionalism, accessibility, and just downright common sense. They're easy to talk with. Also, as a real estate agent, they have referred several of their clients to me -- people going through divorce and families settling estates. Again, without exception, their clients I've met have all been very satisfied with and complementary of the quality of services the Derricos provide.

Brian and Rachelle Smith

2018-06-25 22:05:39