Had my reckless driving case 101 mph over 75 mph.
Tom helped me by listing things I would need to do and provide guidance along the way. The case was dropped to traffic infraction with his effort. Huge recommendations!
Mr. Carter provided me with outstanding legal service as I recently faced a serious charge. His diligence, eye for detail and complete command of the process led to a significant reduction in the charge saving me a ton of trouble and expense. It is hard to imagine any support better than he provided.
Thomas C. Carter is a near lifelong northern Virginian. He graduated from the Marshall-Wythe School of Law at the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia. He was admitted to the Virginia State Bar in 1978 and was appointed to a position as a law clerk to the Circuit Court Judges of Fairfax County.
In 1980, he was sworn in as an Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney for the City of Alexandria. During his five years in the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office, he tried many criminal and traffic cases, both felonies and misdemeanors, jury and non-jury trials. Since 1985, he has been in private practice concentrating on criminal and traffic matters.
Mr. Carter has lectured extensively on criminal and traffic defense. Recently, he has been a guest speaker at Alexandria and Fairfax Bar Association Continuing Legal Education seminars. He is always willing to help lawyers less familiar with northern Virginia state and federal practice.
Since 1978, attorney Thomas C. Carter has been helping the people of Virginia resolve their criminal and traffic offenses in both state and federal courts. Recently, Mr. Carter was selected to the 2017 List of Virginia SuperLawyers.
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Reckless Driving reduced
Had my reckless driving case 101 mph over 75 mph.
Tom helped me by listing things I would need to do and provide guidance along the way. The case was dropped to traffic infraction with his effort. Huge recommendations!
Posted by anonymous | August 30, 2022
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Great support
Mr. Carter provided me with outstanding legal service as I recently faced a serious charge. His diligence, eye for detail and complete command of the process led to a significant reduction in the charge saving me a ton of trouble and expense. It is hard to imagine any support better than he provided.
Response from Thomas CarterSeptember 1, 2022
The goal in every criminal or traffic case is to get the charges dismissed, or at least reduced. I firmly believe that if the defense lawyer looks into every possible angle, he or she will find a way to get good results. I discovered that there was an evidentiary problem for the prosecution. I discussed it ahead of time with the prosecutor and he conceded that I had a good point. We compromised by reducing the charges from DUI to Reckless Driving.
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Posted by Samuel | May 10, 2022
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Tom was Amazing!
Tom was very responsive when I reached out asking for assistance. Within hours he replied to my inquiry and offered assistance with my traffic ticket. I provided the information he needed, and he marked on his calendar when he would go to court for me so I didn't have to take off work! He walked me through the process that would be needed to get the ticket dismissed and answered any questions I had about the process. Then on the day of the trial, he managed to get the case dismissed!!! Making him a huge life saver and keeping my driving record clean. You cannot go wrong with Tom and you should go to him for all your traffic needs. 10/10 recommmend
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Posted by anonymous | November 19, 2021
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
My career was on the line
My career was on the line and I needed the very best lawyer I could find. I was looking for someone with high ratings as well as plenty of experience in Alexandria county, Tom checked box boxes. I felt confident Tom would do everything possible to get my case dropped or reduced after our initial consult. After 2 stressful months I got the call I had been waiting for. Tom was able to negotiate my deal to a lesser charge which meant I would keep my job. If you find yourself in the same boat, go with Tom, he won’t make any guarantees but he will do everything in his power to get you the very best outcome!
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Response from Thomas CarterFebruary 7, 2022
Thank you. Every case is my most important case. However, that said, the fact that your continued employment depended upon the outcome was a real incentive to do everything possible to win. And, when we got the DUI charge reduced to Reckless Driving, I was just as happy as you.
Posted by Imani | November 15, 2021
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Hire Tom Carter
I would recommend Tom Carter to anyone who needs a lawyer. My friend was the one who recommended him to me, and now I see why. Mr. Carter is very knowledgeable and skilled at what he does. Truly because of him is how my outcome resulted in my favor. He's a reliable and trustworthy professional who excels at what he does.
Response from Thomas CarterFebruary 7, 2022
Thank you. You were a great client. So nice to work with and so willing to do whatever was necessary to get an excellent plea agreement.
Posted by Stephanie | May 24, 2021
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
GETS RESULTS!!! WELL WORTH HIS FEE!!!
I helped hire Tom for a friend for a state felony charge. Tom negotiated it to a misdemeanor with no jail time and it should not get my friend deported. Tom is knowledgeable, personable and knows the state and federal prosecutors. I was a federal criminal prosecutor for 8 years, and I called Tom for my friend because he had always gotten results for his clients in federal court as well as state court.
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Response from Thomas CarterFebruary 7, 2022
Stephanie, your review means a lot to me. You were a federal prosecutor and dealt with many defense lawyers over the years. The fact that you chose me to represent your friend in such an important case was very affirming. When we got the felony charges reduced to a misdemeanor with no jail, it was even better.
Posted by Edwin | February 24, 2021
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Tom Carter Walks on Water !!
A family member was recently hit with a serious traffic infraction. A good friend recommended Tom Carter as the best experienced and most effective attorney in Northern Virginia to handle such matters.
My friend's advice was excellent. Tom went the extra mile and performed a near-miracle for us. Tom is deserving of the highest possible rating.
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Response from Thomas CarterFebruary 7, 2022
Thank you. Sometimes, all a traffic defendant really needs is a lawyer who can satisfy the Police Officer, the prosecutor and the judge that his client is contrite and determined to do better going forward. If they all believe that's really so, you can get charges dismissed or reduced to civil infractions.
Posted by Christian | January 4, 2021
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
DUI reckless driving case
DUI Charge dropped. Due to excessive amount of experience in this field Mr.Carter was able to clearly explained to me what would outcome would likely happen with the case and all the court proceedings with it.
Response from Thomas CarterFebruary 7, 2022
I enjoy defending DUI cases more than any others. There are so many legal issues involved which can be used to my client's advantage. Over the years, I've had hundreds of such cases either dismissed or reduced. Every DUI defendant should realize that his or her case doesn't need to result in a DUI conviction.
Posted by anonymous | September 21, 2020
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Excellent lawyer
Mr. Carter was wonderful to work with. He put us at ease about our case. He clearly told us what he would strive to accomplish, and he did just that. I would highly recommend him.
Response from Thomas CarterFebruary 7, 2022
Thank you. I believe it's important to set realistic expectations...and then try to exceed them.
Posted by Stephen | August 7, 2020
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Reckless Driving
I was charged with reckless driving (73/55), a misdemeanor in Virginia. As a DoD employee, I was very worried about the impact this would have on my clearance and my career. A family friend who is a retired police officer for Arlington recommended Mr. Carter, and I couldn't be more pleased!! From the first conversation, Mr. Carter was very calming and reassuring, and he explained the entire process.
We got a better result than I could have hoped for!! He got my misdemeanor of reckless driving (73/55) (criminal offense) reduced to a civil charge of speeding (69/55) (traffic infraction). The nature of the charge was changed (criminal versus civil) as well as the severity (down to 19 over).
I can't thank him enough, and I'm truly grateful that he saved my career!!
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Response from Thomas CarterFebruary 7, 2022
It's amazing that a conviction of Reckless Driving 73/55 could ruin someone's career. All I needed to do here was to meet with the Police Officer and the prosecutor and let them know about your job. Once they understood how much it meant, they agreed to the civil infraction. Most Police Officers and prosecutors are reasonable people who try to do the right thing.
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Posted by AM | July 24, 2020
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Indeed a "Virginia SuperLawyer"
In his Avvo Bio, Tom received the recognition as one of Virginia's SuperLawyers, That's a well deserved and really an underestimate of what Tom is as an attorney. In reading all of the other 5 star reviews, I agree with every single word and more. I found myself having made a human mistake, one which could have ended my career forever. In searching for counsel and representation, my husband asked our neighbor, who happens to be the Alexandria Chief of Police, who we should retain. Tom was on a list of 1. From my first interaction with him to the conclusion of my ordeal, I always felt that he was honest yet compassionate and never gave me false hope, only a realistic view of my case. His experience combined with his intelligence makes him the best criminal attorney you can find in this area. I'm NOT saying "hire Tom and you'll have your charges dropped"; I'm saying "if you hire Tom, you have hired the best attorney to get the very best outcome possible". I owe him my career and my livelihood, essentially my life. This review may sound hyperbolic but it is sincere and I thank Tom and God for helping me preserve my life. Tom should have a Superman "S" underneath is very nicely pressed white shirt and tie. Saying "Thank you" doesn't seem quite enough; Thanks Tom!
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Response from Thomas CarterFebruary 7, 2022
I can't begin to tell you how much this case meant to me. This client is a wonderful person. Hard-working, honest, successful, great job with even greater prospects. A DUI conviction meant losing the job, going to jail, losing the driver's license, paying a fortune for insurance and more.
When we got the DUI .15-.20 reduced to DUI (no stated B.A.C.) in the General District Court, we were out from under the mandatory, minimum 5 day jail sentence. Still, we appealed, ending up with only a Reckless Driving conviction. The loophole we found that resulted in the further-reduced charges was later corrected by the Police Department.
I know that every case is important so defense attorneys take every case seriously. However, when the deck is really stacked against you and you win, it's very satisfying.
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Posted by anonymous | February 27, 2020
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Excellent lawyer.
With Tom's expertise and guidance, the legal charges for my son's speeding tickets were greatly reduced. Tom was great to work with -- extremely knowledgable, understanding and patient. He helped us greatly. An excellent lawyer.
Posted by anonymous | February 21, 2020
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Highly recommend!
After being charged for reckless driving, I was very worried about the ramifications of a reckless driving conviction within the state of Virginia. Fortunately, a family friend told me about Tom Carter, who could not have been a better advocate throughout the process. Tom was very responsive and informative about what to expect during the process. Plus, his experience, expertise, and sense of humor was very reassuring and put me at ease as I awaited the court date. Most importantly, through his due diligence, Tom was able to substantially reduce the charge to a better result than I had thought possible. While hopefully I will avoid any future traffic violations and will not need his services anytime soon, I could not imagine having better representation than Tom Carter, and I highly recommend him.
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Posted by anonymous | December 23, 2019
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Efficient and Professional
Thomas was effective and helpful throughout the process of my DUI charge. He was able to gather all the right information and it ended with my case being nolle prosequi. His fees were fair and reasonable and he even gave me ample information after the fact on the ability to get my record expunged. Would highly recommend to anyone dealing with a DUI/DWI case.
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Posted by anonymous | January 31, 2019
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
One word,,,,Awesome lawyer..
Tom was referred to me by a close friend and he did exactly what he said he would do from the first conversation. If you want the best outcome possible better call Tom. I highly recommend him you will not be disappointed.
Response from Thomas CarterFebruary 7, 2022
Thank you. I try to explain how I believe things will turn out depending upon the approach we take. Creating realistic expectations is important to me.
Posted by Sinclair | January 12, 2019
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Truly an expert!
Tom was incredibly kind, patient and diligent in the way that he represented me for the speeding ticket I had gotten. He saved me a lot of trouble, and is very well-connected. A fantastic lawyer!
Response from Thomas CarterFebruary 7, 2022
Thank you. I was a prosecutor before becoming a defense attorney. That earlier experience has helped me understand what steps we need to take to get the best plea offer...or prepare well for trial.
Posted by anonymous | February 15, 2018
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Calm, Experienced and Responsive
As an attorney myself, I know what a good attorney looks like and Mr. Carter is it. I needed an attorney to defend me in federal court in Virginia after I received a reckless driving and speeding ticket on the GW Parkway. Mr. Carter was very patient and knowledgeable in explaining the process, which really helped to calm me in the months leading up to the hearing. He was obviously very experienced with helping people with similar charges. Everything happened just as he said it would. The prosecutor let me plead guilty to and pay the fine for speeding and the reckless driving charge was dismissed.
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Posted by Jose | February 14, 2018
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Very good lawyer
Thomas Carter is a very good lawyer with years of experience. He is very detail orientated, organized and from the moment you meet him in person, you notice he takes his job seriously. I have hired him for two cases and the outcomes were great in both. If you are ever looking for a good lawyer who actually does their job and doesn't pretend to put in as much effort into your case just to take your money, he is the man! We need more lawyers like him.
Thank you again Tom for all your help.
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Posted by Juan nguema | February 14, 2018
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Excellent
He listened and believed in my case. He was also available by phone or in his office.
Posted by anonymous | February 8, 2018
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Excellent Attorney - VERY HIGHLY RECOMMEND
I am so grateful a friend referred me to Mr.Carter after I was charged with a DWI. Understanding the severe ramifications this charge includes I knew I needed an experienced lawyer who could help me handle the situation in the best way possible. Mr. Carter was, with out a doubt, the best solution.
He reviewed and broke down every detail of my case and ultimately made an argument the prosecutor could not counter. It was obvious Mr. Carter extensively reviewed my case. In turn, he helped me reach the best possible outcome.
He surpassed my expectations and more. Not only is he extremely well-versed in Virginia laws but also in the inter-workings of the court system itself. He his very honest and informative from the start. This was especially helpful to me and allowed me to prepare for the outcome in advance. His professionalism from start to end gave me immense comfort considering my entire future was on the line.
I gladly join his past clients and anyone who has had the pleasure of working with him in referring him to everyone I come across.
In summary-->VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
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Criminal defense Attorney | Mar 16
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"Numerous times over the years I have spoken with Tom about some challenging issues for my criminal defense clients. His viewpoints have always been kindly stated, clear and on the money. I recommend Tom's services."
Criminal defense Attorney | Oct 26
Relationship: Worked together on matter
"I endorse this lawyer. I have known Tom for over 25 years and worked with him on many cases. We jointly represented defendants in two federal murder cases in which our clients were acquitted. He is an outstanding advocate"
DUI and DWI Attorney | Sep 29
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"Tom is a stellar attorney who is highly regarded by judges, lawyers, law-enforcement officials, and courthouse personnel.
If I got a DWI in Virginia, I would hire Tom. His knowledge of Virginia DWI law is vast. When I am wrestling with a thorny legal issue in my practice, I contact Tom because I know if anyone has encountered the issue, Tom has.
In addition to his legal prowess, Tom is a genuinely nice person who cares deeply about his clients. He is a gem who makes our profession better."
Criminal defense Attorney | Jun 16
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"If you are in serious trouble, Tom is one of a handful attorneys you go to in Northern Virginia. He is a true gentleman and an outstanding trial lawyer. His skills and experience combined with the warmth of his personality make him one of the best."
Criminal defense Attorney | Jul 29
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"I endorse this lawyer. Tom is a leader in the legal profession. As a former prosecutor, as well as his many years as a defense attorney, Tom does a fantastic job for his clients and I strongly recommend his services to anyone needing a defense attorney. Thank you Tom for the many years of advice and I look forward to more advice in the future!"
Federal crime Attorney | Feb 10
Relationship: Worked together on matter
"I endorse this lawyer. Tom Carter is one of the most respected defenders of the citizens of Northern Viriginia. I have known Tom for over 20 years and I am proud to recommend him. We refer to his office for cases that we can't handle in Federal Court and Alexandria all the time."