Experienced Criminal Defense Attorney

Criminal Defense Department Chair – Practicing law since 1996.

Significant Experience with Homicide, Sex Crimes & Title IX.

Charlottesville attorney Andre’ Hakes is the Founding Partner of the Criminal Defense Department at the law firm of Tucker Griffin Barnes. With 29+ years of experience defending criminal cases, Ms. Hakes has seen it all, taught the class[1], and wrote the book[2]. She has mentored several younger attorneys (and schooled a few prosecutors, too, some would say) in the art and science of handling criminal cases. Ms. Hakes routinely tries cases in Charlottesville and the surrounding counties, including Albemarle, Fluvanna, Greene, Orange, Louisa, Madison, and Nelson, and she occasionally travels outside the local area on a case-by-case basis.

Ms. Hakes is a Past-President, (2022), and currently serves on the board of the Virginia Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys and is a member of the National Child Abuse Defense & Resource Center. While her practice is not limited to any particular type of case, Ms. Hakes has hard-won knowledge and deep experience defending clients accused of violent crimes and sex offenses. A double-Hoo, Ms. Hakes has been representing Respondents in Title IX Sexual Misconduct cases, with many at the University of Virginia, for over a decade.

[1] Guest instructor at Shenandoah Criminal Justice Training Academy and University of Virginia School of Law, and presenter for several Virginia Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers’ seminars, among others.

[2] Or at least revised the chapter… See Defending Criminal Cases in Virginia, Virginia CLE Publications, Chapter 11, “The Trial”, 2018 ed.

Sample results from Ms. Hakes’ criminal defense cases

Please keep in mind that every case turns on the law and its own unique facts. The results obtained in past cases do not predict the results in your case. That said here are some Sample results from Ms. Hakes’ criminal defense cases:

Rape Case Dropped Against Former Church Deacon – Daily Progress, Charlottesville
Sexual Assault Charge against Former UVA Student Dismissed – WHSV-TV3, Harrisonburg
Harris Found Not Guilty in Murder Case – Daily Progress, Charlottesville
Man Not Guilty in Augusta County Rape Trial – The News Leader, Staunton
Former Greene County School Nurse Not Guilty of Taking PTA Money – Daily Progress, Charlottesville
FREE MAN: Morris Avoids 2nd Murder Trial – The Hook, Charlottesville
Man Found Innocent of Embezzling from Little League – Daily Progress, Charlottesville
Ex-Charlottesville Youth Pastor to Serve Only 30 Days for Sexual Abuse – Daily Progress, Charlottesville
Judge Drops Two Felony Charges Against Man Shot by County Police in Charlottesville – Daily Progress, Charlottesville

Additional Information About Specific Types Of Cases:

Immediate Tip: What to do if the police ask you to come down to the station and just talk with them?

Do not speak with the police until you have an attorney. Miranda rights don’t apply until you are actually in custody or arrested. To avoid them, the police “ask” you to come down to the station “voluntarily” to “clear things up.” They put you in a little room with hidden cameras and microphones, where you are being videotaped without your knowing it. They use psychological interrogation techniques to get you to say things that may hurt you later in court. They are allowed to lie to you. You are not allowed to lie to them. How do you protect yourself? Don’t talk. Call us right away.

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Contact our experienced attorneys today – We’re ready to help.

We have four offices conveniently located in Charlottesville, Palmyra (Across from Food Lion), Harrisonburg, and Staunton, Virginia.

For more information, visit our Criminal, DUI and Traffic Matters page.