Bay Pines Criminal Lawyers

An Experienced and Aggressive Legal Advocate Providing Attentive and Caring Client Service Along Florida's Gulf Coast Lawyer Craig A. Epifanio began his practice of law solely defending those accused of a crime. He gained considerable experience aggressively pursuing justice for those accused of all levels of crime, to the point that in 2005 he was elected as President of the Pinellas Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (PACDL) for that year. He now uses his natural ability to listen and empathize in order to gain a clear picture of the events leading up to a client's arrest, assess each individual legal issue...

Anita McNulty Parker is a St. Petersburg criminal defense and personal injury attorney helping clients throughout Pinellas County. A Tampa Bay native, Anita received her bachelor’s degree in psychology and a law degree at the University of Florida before working as an Assistant Public Defender. In this role, she tried over 55 cases in front of a jury, ranging from misdemeanors to felonies.
Her educational and professional achievements include winning a national championship at the NACDL Trial Advocacy Competition, being named UF Trial Team’s Outstanding Graduate, receiving the “America’s Most Honored Professionals Top 1% in 2019” award by American Registry...

After graduating and passing the bar exam, Justin was hired by Bernie McCabe, the State Attorney for the 6th Judicial Circuit. Soon after he had joined this office, he was selected to run the North County Traffic Court. In this capacity, Justin gained a wealth of experience with DUI/DWI prosecution and other traffic-related cases. His involvement in this area of case law made him the logical choice when other state attorneys needed training. Justin’s passionate pursuit of justice included ride alongs with Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office deputies in the DUI Wolf Pack made a serious impression with many stakeholders in the...

A true Florida native, Jonathon Douglas graduated from Northeast High School in St. Petersburg before attending the University of Florida where he earned a Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees, both with honors. From there, Mr. Douglas attended Stetson University College of Law where he learned and practiced the art of trial advocacy. Before graduating, Jonathon clerked for the Honorable Shawn Crane and interned at the State Attorney’s Office and Public Defender’s Office. After graduation, he began his work as an Assistant Public Defender for the Sixth Judicial Circuit and then moved on to defending the rights of...

Attorney Jason M. Melton, is a founding partner of Whittel & Melton. As a former state prosecutor, he continues fighting for victims bringing in some of the largest single event results in Central Florida. Jason is a lifetime member of the Multi-Million and Million Dollar Advocates Forum, AV-Rated by Martindale-Hubbell and continues to be listed among SuperLawyers in Florida by Thomson Reuters. He is a Founding Member of the National Academy of Motorcycle Injury Lawyers, and in 2023 was named President. Attorney Melton is dedicated to providing clients with personalized, high-quality representation. We handle Auto Accidents, Slip and Fall, Injury, Nursing...

Bradenton personal injury attorney Steven G. Lavely is a Florida Bar Board Certified Civil Trial Lawyer who is considered a specialist in civil trial law. Less than two-percent of Florida lawyers can claim this distinction. He is also one of the less than five-percent of Florida lawyers named a Florida Super Lawyer. Mr. Lavely is rated the highest possible rating on AVVO—a 10 out of 10—and is a proud member of the Top 100 Trial Lawyers in America.

“I am very proud of the honors and distinctions I have achieved, as they are either earned from advanced testing by independent agencies...

I am attorney Donald J. Kilfin. I own and operate The Kilfin Law Firm, P.C., a St. Petersburg area criminal defense and DUI firm representing clients throughout the Tampa Bay area.
I earned a four year Honor's Bachelor's degree from Trent University, one of Canada's top undergraduate institutions. From there, I relocated to St. Petersburg, Florida to attend law school at Stetson University. It was my first choice, among many options across the United States, based on its national reputation for trial advocacy and legal writing. I graduated in 2000 with a juris doctor degree and...

Melinda Morris has been practicing law since 1999 and is the managing attorney of the Morris Law Firm. As a former Assistant State Attorney for the Sixth Judicial Circuit in Clearwater, Pinellas County, Florida, Ms. Morris has handled thousands of cases from investigation through sentencing. Her experience as a former prosecutor along with her years of experience as a private criminal defense attorney allows her to effectively represent her clients charged with a wide range of criminal offenses. Extensive Criminal Law Experience While a felony prosecutor for the State Attorney's Office in Clearwater, Pinellas County, Ms. Morris prosecuted thousands of criminal...

Summer Goldman is an experienced criminal attorney representing individuals facing criminal charges. Ms. Goldman started her legal career as a prosecutor in the State Attorney’s Office in Pinellas County. During her time there, she handled thousands of cases from the initial investigation with law enforcement through sentencing.

Attorney Goldman left her position as a prosecutor in 2004 and started working as a criminal defense attorney. In 2009, she co-founded Goldman Wetzel, a criminal defense law firm based in St. Petersburg, Florida.

As a criminal defense laywer, Ms. Goldman is skilled in Federal and State serious felony charges including sex offenses,...

Kris became a member of the Florida Bar in 2008 and is a graduate of Marshall University and Florida Coastal School of Law in Jacksonville, Florida, where he was member of its award-winning moot court team. After graduation, Kris worked as a staff attorney for the Jacksonville Area Legal Aid and assisted domestic violence victims in securing domestic violence injunctions.

In 2009, Kris was hired as an Assistant State Attorney with Florida's Sixth Judicial Circuit which is located in the Clearwater/Saint Petersburg area. As a state prosecutor, Kris tried 42 jury trials, hundreds of evidentiary motions, and a handful of appeals....

Born in Providence, RI, grew up in Barrington ,RI and thereafter attended Eckerd College in St Petersburg,Fl, where he majored in political Science and Economics. He also played varsity baseball and pitched on the 1977 team that reached the finals of the Division II College World Series. He attended Stetson College of Law and graduated in 1982. Upon graduation he accepted a position as an Assistant State Attorney in Pinellas County Florida, and continued in that position until 1997 when he entered private practice with the Clearwater, Fl law firm Tew, Zinober,Barnes, Zimmet & Unice....

Larry Sandefer has handled well over 5,000 criminal cases. Over 250 of these have resulted in jury trials of from one day to several weeks in length. These trials have included numerous first degree murder cases, multi-jurisdictional drug and homicide conspiracies, drug trafficking, sales and possessions, sexual battery, lewdness and exposure charges, arson, white collar crimes including trade secrets and fraud, robbery, theft, assault and battery, domestic violence, traffic deaths, DUI, resisting arrest, shoplifting, abuse allegations of children and the elderly, embezzlement, insurance fraud, burglary, kidnaping, and many other criminal charges. Mr. Sandefer has been honored with the...

An experienced trial attorney, Robert Whittel provides his clients with strong, disciplined, results-oriented representation. Prior to becoming a lawyer, he served as a Lieutenant Commander in the US Navy. Robert graduated from both law school and the United States Merchant Marine Academy with honors, and served on the esteemed Florida Law Review. Before co-founding Whittel & Melton, a full-service law firm, Robert gained valuable experience in the court room both serving as a former prosecutor and representing large corporations in complex litigation and transactional matters. Robert is devoted to fighting for his clients’ rights. He handles all types of criminal...

Kaitlyn Statile attended the University of Georgia where she graduated magna cum laude with a degree in Public Relations and a minor in Sociology. She then went on to earn her juris doctorate from Florida State University, College of Law. While in Tallahassee, she interned at the State Attorney’s Office, beginning her passion for trial law. After graduation she began working at the State Attorney’s Office in Pinellas County where she conducted over 50 trials and obtained a murder indictment from a grand jury. She then went on to practice civil litigation prior to moving to Costa Rica where she...

I am a Trial Attorney licensed to practice in all Florida State Courts and the Unites States District Court for the Middle District of Florida. Concentrating on Criminal Defense including all Traffic Court Cases, DUIs, Misdemeanors, and Felonies.

As a former prosecutor, I have the experience and insight to give an honest assessment of your criminal case. I strive to provide the highest standard of legal representation to achieve the best results for my clients.

Specialties: All Felonies, Misdemeanors, Traffic Cases, including Drug Offenses, DUIs, Weapons Offenses, Batteries, Thefts, Violations of Probations, Sealing and Expungments.

Welcome to Finkelstein Firm, P.A. I have dedicated my 18 years of practice to representing citizens charged with criminal offenses. Throughout my career, I have represented thousands of clients charged with a wide variety of crimes. I have extensive experience through all stages of litigation and trial. My trial experience includes cases ranging from DUIs and misdemeanors to violent crimes, sex crimes, and capital offenses where the state is seeking the death penalty. My profession is my passion! At Finkelstein Firm, P.A., you will get the attention you and your case deserve. Your Defense Starts Here!

At The Denson Firm, our mission is to provide you with passionate and aggressive legal representation and personal counsel in criminal defense cases. Because Bruce Denson is a sole practitioner, you will always speak directly with him, and he will attend every court hearing. Our focus is on a long term solution to your immediate problem. Personal service and client contact is a priority at The Denson Firm.

As a Partner of the Law Offices of Russo Pelletier & Sullivan, I limit my practice of law to represent only those clients charged with criminal offenses and DUIs. Both I and my partner Tim Sullivan are former state prosecutors. My experience as an Assistant State Attorney with the 20th Judicial Circuit of Florida has given me invaluable legal knowledge and insight into the strategies and tactics often used by prosecutors in trying criminal cases. This experience allows myself and Mr. Sullivan to develop unique, creative strategies in an effort to obtain the best possible outcome in each and every...

Rick is a firm partner. He and his wife Patricia enjoy sailing and spending time at the beach. He is an Angel Tree sponsor and a former police officer. He joined the firm in 2007.

Timothy W. Weber is Board Certified in Appellate Practice and practices in the areas of appellate law, civil and commercial litigation, business litigation, employment and labor, civil rights and education, land use and real estate, criminal, and family. He represents clients in state and federal courts at both the trial and appeal levels. Before co-founding the firm, Tim was a shareholder at Battaglia, Ross, Dicus & Wein, P.A. in St. Petersburg for 16 years. He has been board certified in Appellate Practice since 2004 and has been selected as a SuperLawyer every year since 2014. He has also...

Daviana Marie Braniff was born in Clearwater, Florida, but primarily grew up in Atlanta, Georgia. After receiving a scholarship for women’s soccer, Daviana attended Armstrong Atlantic State University in Savannah, Georgia where she received her degree in Psychology. Daviana then attended the University of Georgia School of Law where she interned with the Office of the Fulton County District Attorney. After graduating, Daviana moved to the sunny state of Florida to be with family and worked as an Assistant State Attorney in the Sixth Judicial Circuit prior to joining the firm. Daviana and her husband Daniel have a lovable dog...

Mr. Klemawesch is an experienced and dedicated Criminal Defense and Personal Injury Attorney at Whittel & Melton. He provides comprehensive representation in both State and Federal Courts. Previously, Mr. Klemawesch worked as an Assistant State Attorney in the Sixth Judicial Circuit, Pinellas County, Florida. He has extensive jury trial experience in both criminal and civil cases. Mr. Klemawesch is committed to diligent advocacy to protect his clients' rights and interests.

Mr. Klemawesch obtained his B.B.A. from the University of Notre Dame, and his M.B.A. from the University of South Florida. In 2003, he received his J.D. from the University of Florida....

Arrested? Call a former prosecutor that is ready to fight for you. Cameron is a Tampa Bay area native who received his law degree Florida State University where he specialized in Criminal Law. Prior to working as a defense attorney, Cameron worked as a prosecutor and handled countless cases and every type of crime from DUI to Murder.

YOU'VE BEEN ARRESTED OR YOU ARE UNDER INVESTIGATION. WHERE DO YOU TURN? CALL ME NOW. Before I became a criminal defense attorney, I investigated, filed, and litigated thousands of cases as an Assistant State Attorney. My tenure as a prosecutor can aid your criminal defense case because I understand how the police, judges and prosecutors will view the circumstances of your charges. I have earned the respect of the judges and prosecutors in my area, and my work as an attorney has earned me an AV Preeminent* rating from Martindale-Hubbell, their highest available rating. Knowing how both sides of a...

Vincent R. Pawlowski, Esq. is an exceptional client advocate with more than 20 years experience in the areas of personal injury and wrongful death litigation, automobile accidents and injuries, workers compensation, criminal defense, DUI / DWI, and drug charges. He founded the Pawlowski // Mastrilli Law Group in 1995 in the heart of Tampa's Ybor City, with satellite offices in Westchase, New Tampa, St. Petersburg, Clearwater, and Lakeland. As managing partner of the firm, Vincent ensures that every member of his legal team holds the same core values and vigor to defend and fight for our clients case...

Laurel Marois Ackerman, the granddaughter of Don Anderson, was born and raised in St. Pete and is happy to still call it home today! She went to LCC Day School and graduated from Shorecrest Preparatory School before attending UF and UF Law and becoming a PROUD Double Gator! Laurel joined the family business with extensive criminal law experience. She clerked at the Federal Public Defender’s Office in Tampa, served as a CLI at the 8th Judicial Circuit Public Defender’s Office in Gainesville, and worked at the United States Department of Justice Narcotic and Dangerous Drug Section in Washington, D.C. She worked...

A native of Florida, Ryan T. Cox graduated from the University of Florida with a degree in criminology before going on to get a master’s degree in criminal justice from UCF and a law degree from UF’s Frederick G. Levin College of law. Following graduation, Ryan represented clients in civil litigation and business transactions before finding his niche defending people against criminal charges.

Now, having returned home after 4 years working in Colorado, Ryan has decided to apply his skills to representing the people of the gulf coast. He joins Carlson Meissner with extensive experience handling all manner of...

As the founder of Hanlon Law, my number one priority is to protect our clients' future. We have over 20 years of experience in handling criminal defense cases including drug crimes, DUI, violent crimes, domestic violence, and other charges that carry serious penalties. Contact our firm for a free and confidential consultation if you or someone you know has been charged with a crime in Tampa.

Over 17 years experience practicing criminal law. Former State Prosecutor in Clearwater, FL. Juvenile Criminal Defense is my specialty.

Prior to joining Whittel & Melton, Mr. Sheslow served as an Assistant Public Defender in Manatee County, Florida. Mr. Sheslow accumulated an impressive trial record while with the Public Defender’s Office. He was quickly promoted from a Misdemeanor to Felony case load in less than 10 months. Mr. Sheslow has tried over 20 cases ranging from DUIs and Domestic Batteries to life felonies. He has earned acquittals in serious cases such as firearms offenses and sex offenses. Additionally, Mr. Sheslow completed the National Criminal Defense Lawyers College held at Mercer College of Law in Macon, Georgia, where he learned from...

Safir Injury & Criminal Defense Law, a law firm in St. Petersburg, Florida, is led by attorney Rory Safir. With a focus on DUI defense and a strong background in private practice and as a former Assistant Public Defender, Rory is dedicated to providing exceptional legal representation to individuals facing DUI charges. As a trial lawyer at heart, Rory brings extensive courtroom experience to every case he handles. He has successfully handled a number of jury trials and possesses a deep understanding of the intricacies involved in DUI defense. His passion for the law and his commitment to protecting his...

Nicole has resided in the Tampa Bay area for the last 20 years. She majored in criminology while attending Saint Leo University and interned with the United States Secret Service.

Upon graduation, Nicole attended Stetson University College of Law in Pinellas County, where she concentrated on trial advocacy. While attending school, she interned with the State Attorney’s Office for Pinellas County.

After law school, Nicole became the Assistant State Attorney for the Sixth Judicial Circuit for Pinellas County. During the three years, she was employed at the State Attorney’s Office, she prosecuted misdemeanors to serious crimes.

Nicole served as a...

Attorney Bridgette Michelle Domingos is a skilled litigator. She has one of the fastest growing minority-owned firms in the Tampa Bay area. Known for her persistence, knowledge and skill, she has earned a reputation as one that gets results.

For 25 years, David Parry has been exclusively practicing criminal law in Florida. The breadth of his experience is reflected in his successful private practice, where he specializes in all types of criminal defense as a Board Certified Criminal Trial Attorney, a distinction held by less than 1% of all Florida attorneys. Dave's reputation in the legal community began while serving at the Pinellas County Public Defender's Office for thirteen years. Serving as the Chief Assistant Public Defender and overseeing 60 attorneys, he successfully defended the rights of those wrongfully accused of crimes such as murder, juvenile crimes, DUI, and...

For 37 years, Robert Bauer has practiced exclusively in the area of criminal law and is widely considered an expert in his field. Prior to BCPP, Rob served as an Assistant State Attorney in Florida and in 1975 formed his own firm specializing in Criminal Defense exclusively. Having solely practiced in the areas of Criminal Defense and as a Board Certified Criminal Trial Lawyer since 1990, Rob has successfully represented hundreds of citizens charged with crimes ranging from homicide to misdemeanor offenses. He serves as a member of state and local Bar associations/committees as well as local charity organizations. Mr....

Since becoming a member of the Florida Bar, Nick has dedicated his practice solely to criminal defense, earning a reputation as a passionate defender in the courtroom. He believes each case brings unique obstacles, emphasizing the importance of seeking advice from a seasoned defense lawyer capable of recognizing and addressing these challenges.