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Tate Custer Love, Criminal Defense Attorney in Staunton, Virginia

Over 26 years of legal practice · focused on Criminal Defense, Employment, and General · 4.7/5 rating from 2 verified client reviews

Of CounselatTimberlakeSmith

Staunton, VA

Practicing criminal defense in Staunton since 2000.

26+
Years practicing
4.7 ★
2 client reviews
1
Bar admission

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Quick answer

Tate Custer Love is an of counsel based in Staunton, VA. The practice focuses on Criminal Defense, Employment, and General. Tate has over 26 years of legal experience. Currently practicing at TimberlakeSmith. Rated 4.7 out of 5 from 2 client reviews.

Based in
Staunton, VA
Experience
over 26 years
Known for
Criminal Defense · Employment · General
  • Handles Criminal Defense, Employment, and General matters from Staunton, VA.
  • Over 26 years of practice as a licensed attorney.

About Tate Custer Love: Tate Custer Love is an of counsel based in Staunton, VA. The practice focuses on Criminal Defense, Employment, and General. Tate has over 26 years of legal experience. Currently practicing at TimberlakeSmith. Rated 4.7 out of 5 from 2 client reviews.

Areas of practice

Tate's practice areas in Staunton

Tate concentrates on criminal defense, employment, general, insurance, and litigation. Each area below outlines the kind of case Tate handles, typical outcomes to expect, and how the intake process starts.

Criminal Defense cases in Staunton, Virginia

Tate takes criminal defense matters in Staunton, Virginia. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before Tate agrees to represent you.

Employment cases in Staunton, Virginia

Tate takes employment matters in Staunton, Virginia. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before Tate agrees to represent you.

General cases in Staunton, Virginia

Tate takes general matters in Staunton, Virginia. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before Tate agrees to represent you.

Insurance cases in Staunton, Virginia

Tate takes insurance matters in Staunton, Virginia. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before Tate agrees to represent you.

Litigation cases in Staunton, Virginia

Tate takes litigation matters in Staunton, Virginia. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before Tate agrees to represent you.

Biography

Tate Custer Love, criminal defense attorney serving Staunton

Tate Custer Love is an of counsel based in Staunton, VA. The practice focuses on Criminal Defense, Employment, and General. Tate has over 26 years of legal experience. Currently practicing at TimberlakeSmith. Rated 4.7 out of 5 from 2 client reviews. Tate works from Staunton, Virginia and takes on criminal defense matters across the region.

Tate Custer Love is a lawyer practicing insurance defense, civil litigation, criminal defense and 3 other areas of law. Tate received a B.A. degree from College of William & Mary in 1997, and has been licensed for 26 years. Tate practices at TimberlakeSmith in Staunton, VA.

Working with Tate on a criminal defense matter

Tate Custer Love is a lawyer practicing insurance defense, civil litigation, criminal defense and 3 other areas of law. Tate received a B.A. degree from College of William & Mary in 1997, and has been licensed for 26 years. Tate practices at TimberlakeSmith in Staunton, VA.

Who Tate represents

Tate reviews new inquiries case-by-case for criminal defense, employment, and general matters in Staunton and the surrounding Virginia area.

Credentials

Credentials — where Tate studied and practices

  • College of William & Mary

    J.D. · 2000

  • College of William & Mary

    B.A. · 1997

Jurisdictions

Tate's state bar admissions

  • Virginia

    2000 · ACTIVE

Tate studied at J.D. in College of William & Mary and B.A. in College of William & Mary.

Law school and academic background

Tate completed J.D. in College of William & Mary and B.A. in College of William & Mary. Formal legal training is one signal of substantive knowledge — the day-to-day practice Tate runs in Virginia is where that training gets applied to real client questions.

Affiliations

Tate's professional memberships and bar associations

  • Augusta County and American Bar Associations Virginia State Bar Virginia Association of Defense Attorneys

    membership

Locations

Tate Custer Love's office in Staunton

Tate's primary office is at The Virginia Building, 25 North Central Avenue, Staunton, VA, 22402-0108. In-person meetings are by appointment; a phone intake usually comes first.

Main office

TimberlakeSmith

The Virginia Building, 25 North Central Avenue

Staunton, VA 22402-0108

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Client feedback

Client reviews of Tate Custer Love — 4.7/5 rating from 2 verified client reviews

Every review below is from a verified client of Tate. Reviews cover communication, case outcome, and value — the three signals that matter most when comparing criminal defense attorneys in Staunton.

4.7

2 client reviews

Client ratings are sourced from public records and editorial research. Reviews on LawyersListed are accepted from verified clients once Tate Custer Love claims this profile.

Read all reviews

Hiring guide

How to hire Tate Custer Love — what to expect in your first consultation

Working with a new criminal defense attorney should feel structured. Here's how the first two conversations with Tate usually go, from the moment you request a consult to the day representation begins.

Consultation formats and pricing

Tate charges for the initial consult. That fee is credited toward representation if you retain Tate's office.

What to bring to your first meeting

Bring any documents you already have — police reports, medical records, filed pleadings, correspondence from an insurer, a copy of the contract at issue. If you're not sure, err on the side of bringing everything; Tate will tell you what matters and what doesn't.

Questions to ask a criminal defense attorney in Staunton, Virginia

A short list to run through before you commit: How many criminal defense matters have you handled in the last year? What's your fee structure? Who else in the office will work on this? What's your realistic estimate of timeline and range of outcomes? How do I reach you between meetings?

Fees & payment

Fees, payment methods, and consultation options for Tate

Tate discusses fees during intake so the arrangement fits the matter. Contingency, hourly, and flat-fee options are all common in criminal defense practice — ask which fits.

Hourly rates, contingency fees, and flat-fee options

Every criminal defense matter is priced differently. Simple document review might be a flat fee. Injury litigation is often contingency. Complex commercial disputes usually run hourly with a retainer. Tate confirms the model in the engagement letter before any work starts.

Payment methods and payment plans

Tate's office accepts standard payment methods. Ask about payment plans if the retainer is a stretch — many criminal defense practices work with clients on structured schedules.

Frequently asked

Frequently asked questions about Tate Custer Love

  • How much does it cost to hire Tate for a criminal defense case?

    Cost depends on the type of matter, the fee model (contingency, flat, hourly), and how contested the case becomes. Tate walks through the likely range during the consult so there are no surprises.

  • Does Tate offer a free consultation?

    Tate charges for the initial consult; that fee is credited toward representation if you retain Tate's office. Some criminal defense attorneys offer free consults — check Tate's current terms during booking.

  • How long do criminal defense cases in Virginia typically take?

    Simple criminal defense matters can wrap in a few weeks; disputed cases can run 6–18 months from intake to resolution, longer if the matter goes to trial. Tate gives a realistic estimate for your facts at the consult — vague answers here are a red flag.

  • Can Tate take my case if I'm outside Staunton?

    Tate is licensed in Virginia. Matters governed by Virginia law are the natural fit. Out-of-state matters are handled case-by-case, sometimes with local co-counsel. Ask during intake — Tate will tell you if the case is a fit or refer you to someone closer to your court.

  • What should I bring to my first meeting with Tate?

    Bring every document that touches the dispute: contracts, correspondence, police or medical reports, filed pleadings, invoices, photographs, insurance letters. Also bring a written timeline of what happened, in your own words. Tate will filter what matters — over-preparing at intake is always cheaper than needing a second meeting.

  • Is Tate accepting new criminal defense clients right now?

    Tate's intake status shifts week to week. Submit the form; the office will confirm availability or refer the matter out.

Areas served

Criminal Defense attorneys serving Staunton, Richmond and Alexandria in Virginia

Tate handles criminal defense matters throughout Virginia. Each city below is a direct link into the search page for verified criminal defense attorneys in that community.

More counsel

If Tate's intake is full or the fit isn't right, these criminal defense attorneys in Staunton handle similar matters. Every profile below is verified and open to consultations.