Robert L Canard PLLC
Founded in 2021
Being charged with a criminal offense, however serious, can be one of the most stressful experiences in a person’s life. Aside from the obvious potential for incarceration and fines, a criminal conviction can have ripple effects in a person’s life, ranging from employment consequences to loss of the rights to vote and carry firearms.
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Rob began honing his criminal advocacy skills before his first semester of law school, interning with the Office of the Public Defender. That training continued throughout law school, culminating in representing clients in the courtroom as soon as he was able with his third year practice certificate.
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Following law school Rob worked at the Pulaski Office of the Public Defender, where he represented over 1,000 clients in just over three years on cases ranging from Trespassing to Aggravated Malicious Wounding. During that time he earned the respect of local judges and prosecutors while gaining the reputation of being a fierce, devoted, and compassionate advocate for his clients who was unafraid to take cases to trial. That willingness earned his clients numerous acquittals, including several by jury.
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Rob continues to provide that zealous advocacy to clients at Robert L. Canard PLLC. When you select Rob to represent you, you can be certain that your rights will be exercised to the fullest and no stone will be left unturned.
Representative Cases:
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Acquittal by jury of Rape of an Incapacitated Victim where the Commonwealth’s Attorney was unable to prove that the Complaining Witness was under the influence of self-administered drugs
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Acquittal by jury of Malicious Wounding and Strangulation where the Complaining Witness changed his story between the initial report, preliminary hearing, and trial
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Acquittal by jury of Assault and Battery of a Law Enforcement where the evidence only supported that Defendant had accidentally fallen on the Officer
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Acquittal by judge of Driving Under the Influence where the Officer was unable to testify to the results of the Field Sobriety Tests, other than that the Defendant had done “poorly”
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Acquittal by judge of Felony Driving Under the Influence (4th Offense) where the Commonwealth was unable to establish that the Defendant consumed alcohol before driving.
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Acquittal by judge of Driving Under the Influence where the Officer failed to ask the Defendant when he had taken his medication, and left him unattended for thirty minutes
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Acquittal by judge of Driving Under the Influence where the client jumped out of the car and chugged a beer following the traffic stop
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Acquittal by judge of Indecent Exposure in the New River Valley Regional Jail where the Judge ruled that the Defendant had a reasonable expectation of privacy in the jail shower.
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Acquittal by judge of Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor where the Commonwealth’s Attorney failed to prove that the Defendant was over the age of 18.
Areas of Practice
100% Criminal Defense and Traffic
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Bar Admissions
Virginia, 2013
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Education
Catholic University Columbus School of Law, Washington, District of Columbia
J.D., 2013
Honors: Law Review, Faculty Merit Scholar, Pro Bono Honors
Virginia Tech
M.A., 2009 - Political Theory
B.A., 2006 - Political Science & Philosophy
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Past Employment Positions
Pulaski Office of the Public Defender, Pulaski, Virginia, 2014-2017
Patrick K. Moore, P.C., Radford, Virginia, 2013-2014; 2017-2020
Robert L. Canard, PLLC, Christiansburg, Virginia, 2021-present
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Professional Recognition
Selection by Super Lawyers as a Rising Star in 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023
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Robert L Canard PLLC
Our Vision
As a boutique law firm, Robert L Canard PLLC prides itself on focusing solely on criminal defense. We understand that every criminal case is unique, and our defense strategy takes into account the specific needs of each individual client. Our team is dedicated to providing our clients with the best possible representation and to ensure that their rights are protected. We offer personalized attention to each and every one of our clients, giving clients the assurance that their case is being taken seriously.
Robert L Canard, Esq.
Principal Attorney, specialised in criminal law
My first encounter with law enforcement occurred when I was 22, and had just graduated college. I was working at the New River Valley ASAP as a case manager and had run out to grab coffee for the office. Much to my surprise, that coffee run was cut short when I was pulled over and falsely accused of stealing gasoline from a local gas station. The Officer was unconvinced by my pleadings of innocence (or the fact that I only had a quarter tank of gas), and the encounter was only ended when the Officer learned he knew my boss very well, who happily provided an alibi.
I learned a lot that day, but what most stuck with me was the fear I felt, even, and perhaps especially, knowing I had been wrongly accused. I carry that experience and sense of empathy with me into every case I handle.
Email : robcanlaw@gmail.com Tel: 540.798.5345
Robert L Canard
To be an effective criminal defense counsel, an attorney must be prepared to be demanding, outrageous, irreverent, blasphemous, a rogue, a renegade, and a hated, isolated, and lonely person... few love a spokesman for the despised and damned.
(Clarence Darrow)
