Introduction

Vermont handles DUI law differently than most states. A driver can face charges not only at 0.08% blood alcohol concentration or higher, but also when impaired to any degree – with no minimum threshold required for a drug-impaired DUI charge. Understanding that distinction is the starting point for the defense work Jessica Burke and Leah Henderson do at Burke Law, a firm with offices at 77 College Street, Burlington, VT 05401 and 144 Palmer Court Suite 4, White River Junction, VT 05001. The firm serves clients throughout Vermont and can be reached at 802-318-8076.

The two-office structure covers Vermont’s geography from the northwest corner near Lake Champlain to the Connecticut River Valley near the New Hampshire border. For clients in criminal proceedings, proximity to local courts and familiarity with local judges and procedures carries weight. Both Jessica Burke and Leah Henderson use local knowledge specifically – the firm describes this as a feature of their advocacy rather than a background detail.

Practice Areas

Burke Law concentrates on Vermont criminal defense, with particular depth in DUI matters and expungement proceedings.

DUI Defense – Alcohol – Vermont DUI charges arise at BAC of 0.08% or higher, and the firm handles all stages of the criminal process from arraignment through disposition. This includes understanding the evidence the state will use, identifying weaknesses in the prosecution case, and advocating for outcomes that protect the client.

DUI Defense – Drugs – Vermont also charges DUI-Drugs when a driver is under the influence of marijuana, prescription medications, or other substances, even without a measurable BAC. The fact that a driver holds a valid prescription does not exempt them from DUI-Drug charges if impairment is present. The firm handles both alcohol and drug DUI cases.

Underage Drinking – Citations involving underage drinking carry potential consequences for driver licenses and college enrollment. The firm handles these matters with attention to the collateral consequences that can follow a conviction.

Violent Crimes – Homicide, assault, and other violent crime charges represent some of the most serious criminal proceedings. The firm takes these cases to trial when necessary.

Domestic Violence and Relief from Abuse – Domestic violence charges and the relief from abuse proceedings that typically accompany them require simultaneous defense across the criminal and civil tracks.

Sex Crimes – Including child pornography charges, which carry severe federal and state penalties and require specialized defense.

Drug Offenses – Vermont drug charges across the schedule of controlled substances.

Financial Crimes – Fraud, embezzlement, and related financial crime charges.

Negligent Operations and Excessive Speed – Traffic offenses that rise to the level of criminal charges in Vermont.

Expungements and Sealings – As Vermont expands eligibility for expungement and record sealing, the firm helps clients navigate the process and put past convictions behind them. This is a growing area of practice as the eligibility rules evolve.

Attorney Profiles

Jessica Burke leads the firm and specializes in DUI defense and criminal defense matters broadly. She maintains strong community networks within Vermont courts, which reflects local knowledge built through direct experience with the Vermont legal system. She handles cases from the initial arraignment through trial, identifying case strengths and advocating at each stage. The firm describes her as bringing empathy and understanding to her client relationships alongside her legal advocacy.

Leah Henderson serves as the firm proactive advocate for clients facing criminal charges. Her approach involves active engagement at every stage rather than waiting for developments to require a response. Like her partner, she uses local knowledge of Vermont courts and the legal community that surrounds them. Together, the two attorneys provide representation that reflects both legal skill and familiarity with how Vermont proceedings actually work in practice.

Location and Service Area

Burke Law maintains two Vermont offices:

• Burlington: 77 College Street, Burlington, VT 05401
• White River Junction: 144 Palmer Court Suite 4, White River Junction, VT 05001

Phone: 802-318-8076
Free consultations available.

The firm serves clients throughout Vermont. The Burlington office covers northwestern Vermont including Chittenden County, and the White River Junction office covers the Connecticut River Valley region and central Vermont.

More information: burkelawvt.com/

Client Focus

The firm serves Vermont residents facing criminal charges across the spectrum from DUI and traffic offenses through violent crimes and sex offenses. The expungement practice extends service to clients who have completed their sentences and want to clear their records as Vermont eligibility rules expand.

Jessica Burke and Leah Henderson take a personalized approach: working individually with clients to craft defense strategies suited to the specific facts and circumstances of each case rather than applying a standard template. Free consultations allow clients to understand their situation before committing to representation.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Vermont DUI law differ from other states?
Vermont charges DUI at 0.08% BAC or higher, but also charges DUI when a driver is under the influence to any degree – even with a BAC below 0.08%. For drug-impaired driving, there is no minimum threshold, and a valid prescription does not exempt a driver from charges if impairment is present.

Does the firm handle both Burlington and White River Junction clients?
Yes. Two office locations allow the firm to serve clients across Vermont without requiring long travel for consultations.

Can the firm handle a DUI charge involving prescription medication?
Yes. Vermont DUI-Drugs charges involving prescription medications are within the firm practice. The presence of a valid prescription is not a complete defense if impairment is established.

Does the firm handle violent crime charges?
Yes. The firm handles violent crimes including homicide and assault charges, taking cases to trial when necessary.

How do I begin?
Call 802-318-8076 for a free consultation. The firm has offices in Burlington and White River Junction. More information: burkelawvt.com/

Closing

Two attorneys with local knowledge of Vermont courts, two office locations covering the state from Burlington to White River Junction, and a practice that ranges from DUI defense through violent crime representation and expungements describe what Burke Law offers criminal defense clients in Vermont. The nuances of Vermont DUI law – including the any-level-of-impairment standard and drug DUI charges despite valid prescriptions – make this a practice where technical legal knowledge of state law directly affects outcomes.

Burke Law: 77 College Street, Burlington, VT 05401 and 144 Palmer Court Suite 4, White River Junction, VT 05001. Phone: 802-318-8076. Free consultations. More information: burkelawvt.com/