Harrisonburg combines the energy of a major university town with the legal complexity of an active law enforcement environment. James Madison University’s 21,000 students, the I-81 freight corridor, and the Shenandoah Valley’s rural enforcement dynamics create a criminal docket that spans DUI charges, drug offenses, campus-related incidents, and serious felonies. Strickland, Diviney & Segura defends clients in Harrisonburg and Rockingham County courts, bringing Southwest Virginia’s most experienced criminal defense practice to the northern Shenandoah Valley.
Why Harrisonburg’s Criminal Environment Is Unique
Harrisonburg’s downtown bar and restaurant district around Court Square generates DUI and alcohol enforcement activity throughout the year, peaking during JMU football and basketball seasons. The I-81 corridor through Rockingham County is among Virginia’s most heavily patrolled — both by VSP and Rockingham County Sheriff’s deputies. The presence of a large immigrant community in the poultry processing industry adds an immigration consequences dimension to many criminal defense matters. Our attorneys are sensitive to all of these local factors.
Criminal Defense Services in Harrisonburg
We handle DUI defense, drug possession and distribution charges, domestic violence, assault and battery, theft, sex offense charges, firearm offenses, federal criminal matters, and expungement proceedings in Harrisonburg and Rockingham County. We also provide bilingual consultation in Spanish to serve Harrisonburg’s significant Spanish-speaking community — consistent with the bilingual services our firm has long offered in Roanoke.
Protecting JMU Students and Harrisonburg Residents
Whether you are a JMU student, a longtime Harrisonburg resident, or a traveler charged on I-81, Strickland, Diviney & Segura provides the same standard of aggressive, intelligent defense. We do not accept outcomes our clients do not deserve. We challenge unlawful stops, contest questionable evidence, and take cases to trial when that is the right path.
Serving Harrisonburg, Rockingham County, and the Upper Valley
We represent criminal defense clients in Harrisonburg, Rockingham County, Bridgewater, Dayton, Broadway, Elkton, and throughout the northern Shenandoah Valley region.
Contact Our Harrisonburg Criminal Defense Lawyers
Call Strickland, Diviney & Segura at (540) 982-7787. Our Roanoke office is 100 miles south on I-81. Free consultations available; Spanish-speaking clients welcome.
Frequently Asked Questions
What courts handle criminal cases in Harrisonburg, Virginia?
Harrisonburg is an independent city. Criminal cases are heard at the Harrisonburg General District Court and Harrisonburg Circuit Court at 53 Court Square, Harrisonburg, VA 22801. Rockingham County cases are heard in the Rockingham County courts, also in Harrisonburg.
What criminal charges are most common in the Harrisonburg area?
DUI and alcohol offenses are particularly common given Harrisonburg’s large student population and active bar scene on Court Square and downtown. Drug charges, domestic violence, assault, and theft also represent a significant portion of the criminal docket. JMU student-involved cases add a campus-disciplinary dimension to many matters.
How does JMU’s honor code interact with criminal charges in Harrisonburg?
James Madison University conducts its own disciplinary proceedings under the JMU Student Handbook, independent of the criminal courts. A charge — even if dismissed criminally — can still result in university discipline. Our attorneys help clients manage both tracks and pursue criminal outcomes that minimize academic consequences.
Is marijuana legal in Virginia? Can I still be charged with a drug crime in Harrisonburg?
Virginia legalized adult recreational use of marijuana in 2021. However, public consumption, possession of more than one ounce in public, and all distribution remain subject to criminal or civil penalties. DUI charges now include marijuana impairment. Our attorneys stay current on Virginia’s evolving cannabis laws.
Can out-of-state travelers charged with crimes in Harrisonburg hire your firm?
Absolutely. Many of our clients are travelers passing through on I-81 who are charged with DUI or drug offenses. We can appear in Harrisonburg courts on your behalf and, in many cases, handle your matter without requiring you to return to Virginia for every court appearance.
