Jon May
Representing corporate executives in government criminal investigations.
Jon May is the author of "Who Says You Can't: Strategy and Tactics for Becoming a More Creative Criminal Defense Lawyer," published by the NACDL. www.nacdl.org/Who Says.
Jon has handled some of the most important criminal cases of the last three decades. From his defense of General Manuel Antonio Noriega at trial, on appeal, at his successful resentencing, to his challenge to Florida’s election law during the contested election of George W. Bush in 2000, and his representation of the ACLU in the battle over Rush Limbaugh’s medical records, to his assistance in the defense of the Miami Cocaine Cowboys, the subject of a Netflix special. His articles have called for revolutionary change in the way that criminal defense counsel prepare for trial and sentencing and in representing defendant's in plea negotiations.
Jon May’s work has been featured in the Journal of the American Bar Association, and in the books, Great American Trials and The Case Against the General. His articles regularly appear in The Champion (the journal of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers) and Criminal Justice Magazine (the journal of the ABA Criminal Justice Section). Mr. May has spoken nationally and internationally at seminars and conferences on issues as varied as representing heads of state at trial and plea bargaining.
Mr. May was previously Chair of the White Collar Crime Section of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and he is a past Co-Chair of the Defense Function Services Committee of the Criminal Justice Section of the American Bar Association.
Mr. May was mentioned by name and his stratagem for forcing prosecutors to relinquish control over assets needed for the defense, which he pioneered in Noriega, was discussed by the Supreme Court in its decision in Kaley United States, 571 U.S. 320, note 12 (2014).
- Criminal Law
- Criminal Appeals, Drug Crimes, Fraud, Gun Crimes, Internet Crimes, Theft
- White Collar Crime
- Florida
- The Florida Bar
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- English: Spoken, Written
- Partner
- Jon May P.A.
- - Current
- Special Counsel
- Jones Walker LLP
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- As part of Miami's white collar defense team, participated in international investigations and prosecutions involving alleged commission of bribery, the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, money laundering, and smuggling of American technology. Litigated lawfulness of seizure of an innocent citizen's assets in government sting operation. Published article on admissibility of email in federal criminal cases and spoke at national conference on ethically receiving legal fees and avoiding forfeiture.
- Principal Managing Partner
- May & Cohen P.A.
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- Represented General Manuel Antonio Noriega at trial, on appeal, at his resentencing, and in habeas proceedings to prevent him from being extradited to France. Counsel to the American Civil LIberties Union in State of Florida vs. Rush Limbaugh. US Supreme Court challenge to Florida's award of electors to President George Bush in 2000 election. Represented American Bar Association and the National Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys as Amicus Counsel in cases before the US Supreme Court. Amicus Briefs and Articles mentioned in Supreme Court decisions. Presenter at International and National Conventions sponsored by the American Bar Association, the International Bar Association, and the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. Author of numerous articles on issues pertaining to criminal law. Representation in whistle blower cases under the Federal False Claims Act leading to awards of millions of dollars to plaintiffs (relators).
- Assistant United States Attorney
- United States Attorneys Office, Southern District of Florida
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- Represented United States in criminal appeals to the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals. Drafted and supervised wiretaps for Public Corruption Section. Published law review article on accomplice liability.
- Assistant Public Defender
- Florida Public Defender, 15th Judicial Circuit
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- Represented indigent defendants in appeals from their criminal convictions, including Capital Appeals. Presented on Fourth Amendment at Florida Bar CLE, Published article on presumptions in criminal cases in Florida Bar Journal,
- University of Florida
- J.D. (1978)
- Activities: • Jessup International Moot Court • Editor Florida "Law for the Layman" consumer handbook
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- Emory University
- B.A. (1976)
- Activities: Managing Editor, The Wheel Director, 1930's Symposium Member Tau Epsilon Phi
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- Presidential Commendation
- National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
- 2007, 2009, 2010
- The Florida Bar # 0276571
- Member
- Current
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- American Bar Association
- Criminal Justice Section
- Current
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- National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
- National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
- - Current
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- Sentencing: the Trial Practice for the 21st Century
- The Champion, the magazine of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
- Admitting Email Into Evidence
- The Champion, National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
- Corporate Criminal Liability and the Threat to Civil Liberty
- Stetson Law Review
- IRS Whistleblower Program needs refining for success
- Daily Business Review
- Stopping the Train Before it Leaves the Station: Convincing Prosecutors Not to Charge Your Client
- The Champion
- The Seven Principles of Effective Plea Bargaining, Cutting Edge Criminal Defense Seminar, San Antonio, Texas
- San Antonio Bar Association
- I addressed various techniques that can be used by defense attorneys in plea bargaining with prosecutors.
- Ethics and Fees, Second Annual Defending Drug Cases Seminar, Las Vegas
- National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
- I discussed how defense attorneys can force the government to release bank accounts that had been frozen so that the funds in those accounts can be used by the defense and how to insure that legal fees are not seized and forfeited by the government.
- Plea Bargaining, 30th Annual Federal Bar Association Sentencing Guidelines Seminar, Tampa, Florida
- Federal Bar Associations
- I participated in a panel discussion addressing ways that prosecutors can be convinced not to charged your client.
Available for consultation white collar 1
