Dennis McCarthy - Fredericksburg, VA
Attorney at Spencer, Meyer & Koch, PLC
Criminal Lawyers in Fredericksburg, VA
660 Cambridge Street Fredericksburg, VA 22405
- Free Consultation
Fredericksburg Criminal Lawyer
Updated: 03/10/2026
Areas of Practice
- Criminal 70%
- Family Law 20%
- Small Civil Litigation 5%
- Wills & Trusts 5%
Attorney Information
Overview
I began my career as an Assistant Public Defender in the city of Portsmouth where I fought diligently for the indigent clients that I represented in court. During my five years with the public defender's office, I represented individuals charged with the most serious of offenses to include murder, sexual assault, robbery, burglary, and drug distribution. Many of these cases ended up being litigated in jury trials where I served as lead counsel.
The next step forward in my career was accepting a position in the Portsmouth Commonwealth's Attorney's office where I continued to hone my skills as a trial attorney. Once again, I found myself involved in the most serious and high-profile cases that the job had to offer. My early years on both sides of the courtroom in Portsmouth have proven invaluable to my ability to evaluate cases and take them to trial if necessary.
After fifteen months as an Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney in Portsmouth, I relocated to the Fredericksburg area and served as an Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney for the city of Fredericksburg for a year. During that period, I developed a reputation as a solid prosecutor with a tempered and fair approach to my role as a minister of justice.
The most important decision a client faces when charged with a criminal offense is whether to accept a plea agreement or challenge the state's evidence at trial. I have sat at both tables in the courtroom. I have been a prosecutor and a defense attorney, and it gives me a greater perspective on when to fight and when to negotiate a fair resolution that minimizes a client's risk.
Since joining the law firm of Spencer, Meyer, & Koch, I have been using the knowledge and experience I have gained in the criminal justice system to help clients achieve the best possible outcomes when facing criminal charges in the Fredericksburg area and beyond. I have also been using the negotiation and trial techniques gained over the years to effectively represent clients in family law matters and small civil litigation. If you're interested in quality representation and honest communication, then I am the guy you want fighting for you in court. Call today and let's get to work on your case.
Education
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Legal Education
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Stetson University College of Law,
Gulfport/St. Petersburg,
Florida
J.D.
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Stetson University College of Law,
Gulfport/St. Petersburg,
Florida
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Non Legal Education
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University of Mary Washington
B.A.
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University of Mary Washington
Current Employment Position(s)
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Associate
Bar Admissions
- Virginia, 2010
Other Affiliations
- Fredericksburg Area Bar Association
Reviews
Highlights
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2.0 Value
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2.0 Quality of Service
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2.0 Professional Competence
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Hired Attorney 2025Last May, I entered in a terrifying situation. A man at my complex stabbed my dog twice, nearly killing him. He complained to the leasing office while we were attending to our dog, and they kicked us out. Lived there for 6 years, didn't even want to hear our side of the story. He then came after me for 1st degree misdemeanor charge in courts, on top of me and my family being forced to move, and the medical for my dog. I was beyond scared, I only been to court twice, once to become a US citizen, and another to adopt my daughters. I was so scared of a worst case scenario where I went to jail and I missed my new daughters' childhood and leaving my wife on her own. I knew I needed help, and we got Dennis McCarthy... and thank god we did. He was very quick and consistent with calming my nerves, and assuring me he'd handle it. That I'd never enter a jail cell, and that this would one day be a bad memory. Even when the guys' firm started sending me letters in the mail to file a claim or else, Dennis explained it was a scare tactic and to simply not engage not matter what. I got out of this thanks to his advice. I was fueled by revenge for a time, and wanted to came back at him with a countersuit. Another lawyer I feel would have jumped on it and told me "Lets do it!" Not Dennis, who told me he understands how I feel but explained to me what I'd be looking at to pursue that, and how much it would cost us. Even with the dollar figure we had in mind and even if we'd won, the costs of the case would swallow what we were looking to win, assuming it went quick. In talking with him, I understood the way to win was to be able to get away from this guy, as much as I wanted to go after him. This conversation saved my family thousands of dollars, and again, I feel a large percentage of lawyers out there would wouldn't have had that conversation with me. I couldn't approach the guy who did this to my family, as my face often betrayed me, but Dennis was smooth talking with him. He got him from pursuing the charge to lowering it to a $2000 settlement to getting him to simply drop the charges and us not having to spend 1 cent. I am so lucky I got Dennis as my lawyer for the case. I never have to see that man again, and we are in a position to actually rebuild. If you get Dennis you are getting someone who knows what they're doing, and is actually looking out for you and those you care about. On top of that, he is capable of ending your problems with it getting too far. HIGHLY HIGHLY recommend.
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Hired Attorney 2020-2021He is the worst lawyer ever he does not work for his clients he is a lier he does not respond to your messages he does not answer his phone he works with the state not his clients he tells you one thing and when u go to court it’s something different he does not fight for his clients he just wants u to take a plea he is racist I would not recommend no one to use him or any body from there office unless u want to take a plea or go to jail
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Hired Attorney 2020-2021He is a terrible lawyer he doesn’t explain your case he is racist he doesn’t answer your calls he lies terrible he does not come visit you to talk about your case I wouldn’t recommend him to anybody he is just about money he doesn’t care about your case he works with the state he doesn’t like to fight for his clients
Contact
660 Cambridge Street
Fredericksburg, VA 22405
Phone: 540-372-4046
Email: Send a message
Website: https://www.smklawgroup.com
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