John Matthew Weiland

Let me start by saying that I would highly recommend John Weiland to represent you in your case. I thought my world was coming to an end when I was charged with a DUI. I practically gave the arresting officer everything that was needed to build the DA's case, and the county I was arrested in does not... entertain reducing DUI charges - especially .11 BAC cases. John's tenacity and outside of the box thinking not only kept me grounded through this experience, but was able to get the charge reduced to Reckless Driving...instead of a 1 year license suspension, I have 6 months restricted, no ignition interlock needed, and no criminal charge. Thank you, John, for helping me through this and fighting for my future.

I was charged with DUI (1st Offense) and refusing a blood alcohol test after having been involved in an accident where I struck another vehicle from behind at a four way intersection. There was significant property damage to the vehicles, but no personal injuries. I had been at a friend's home at a B...BQ to celebrate his son's graduation and had consumed a few alcoholic beverages before I left to drive home when the accident occurred. After researching several law firms in the area, I contacted Mr. Weiland. He was easy to communicate with and explained the potential outcomes of my case. I immediately felt confident that he would provide the professional and competent representation I required. He was candid and made no promises about the outcome of my case, but stated his commitment to do all that was possible for my defense. Based on the strengths and weaknesses of my case, he successfully persuaded the prosecution to reduce the DUI charge to reckless driving and not to prosecute the refusal to submit to a blood/alcohol test. Given the circumstances, I could not have hoped for a better outcome. Mr. Weiland is a highly competent and professional defense attorney who I would highly recommend to anyone in need of the best defense.

I was arrested for DUI 1st offense while visiting VA on the night of my father's funeral. It was the hardest day of my life turned nightmare. I knew I had made a terrible mistake, but now not only had I just lost my dad, I was also facing criminal charges. Distraught, I was recommended to Riley and W...ells by a family friend, and thank goodness for them because they brought me to John. I explained the details of my case to Mr. Weiland and he was empathetic but bluntly honest which made me trust him, and he laughed at my jokes which made me like him. John worked with me on his fee due to my financial and personal circumstances. I hired him first thing the next morning. John advocated for me from day one. He was always responsive when I called, getting back to me right away if I'd missed him, filed to try and get my BAC thrown out (it rarely is and it wasn't for me, but still a good effort), and always promptly sent me any new paperwork on my matter. He did everything any good lawyer should do, but John continually went above and beyond the call of duty as my case took some really strange and interesting turns. I was ecstatic when John called me a few days before my court date to tell me that somehow he had gotten the prosecutor to be agree to bump me down to reckless driving. We had tried with another prosecutor for an earlier date that luckily was rescheduled, so I was relieved and impressed that he had convinced this one, especially since I had a BAC of .11. I was told later that getting bumped down to Reckless Driving is almost impossible unless your BAC was .08 or lower, so thanks again John for being that awesome. Unfortunately, the catch was that the prosecutor wanted me to spend two days in jail in exchange for the deal. So I took the plea for reckless driving, paid the minimum in fines ($250 before court fees) had the suspension of my driving privileges reduced from 1 year to 6 months, was sentenced to VASAP, and chose to go straight to jail from the court. All things considered, I couldn't have asked for a better result, but my story didn't end there. I suffer from anxiety and was worried something would go wrong in jail, so John gave me his cell phone number before I was booked to ease my fears. Neither of us really thought I would have to use it. They booked me midday on Monday, and so my expected release was that Wednesday morning/early afternoon. But at 6 am on Wednesday morning I was told that I wasn't due for release until the following day. I almost had a panic attack. The phone system was so terrible I hadn't been able to reach a single person the whole time I was there and this was no exception. Before they sent me back to my cell at 1pm for what would be the second and final time I made one last call to John's cell. It didn't connect us, but John was able to hear that it was me calling from jail, which meant I was still there past the point I should have been. I had resigned myself to the fact that I would probably have to spend another night there until suddenly at 4:30 the guard unlocked my cell and told me I was being released. Everything happened pretty quickly after that, it wasn't until an hour or so later when my cousins came to pick me up that I learned the full story. When John got the call he marched down to the jail and demanded that I be let out as at this point they were holding me wrongfully if not illegally. The jail tried to bully him into leaving and accepting my later release, but he refused. John actually tracked down the prosecutor and the judge and got a court order to get me released that day. Who knows what happened with the jail (John is still looking into it,) but John Weiland is my freaking hero. Why hire a lawyer when you can hire an ally with the know-how and the character to not just defend you, but really fight for you? Hiring John was probably the only good decision I made in the wake of my dad’s death, it was worth every penny.