Highlands County Criminal Lawyers

Attorney Brian Monk has lived in the Central Florida area nearly his entire life. In 2000, he graduated from the University of Florida with a B.S. in Business Management and a B.A. in Political Science. Thereafter, Brian earned a Law degree, a Master’s of Education degree and Specialist degree in counseling from the University of Florida. While in law school, Brian earned a Certificate in Family Law and was named a Fellow of the UF Law Center on Children and Families. Following law school, Brian worked as an Assistant State Attorney in Ocala, Florida, prosecuting felony and misdemeanor cases...

I have over 21 years of criminal trial experience both as a private criminal defense attorney and a former Assistant State Attorney and Assistant Attorney General.

Pete was raised in Hardee County and graduated from Hardee Senior High School in 2003. He then went on to get his bachelor's degree in International Affairs from Florida State University with a focus on Middle Eastern Studies. He received his law degree with honors from Tulane University Law School in New Orleans in 2010 and was a Notes and Comments Editor for the Tulane Journal of International and Comparative Law. After law school, Pete worked as a prosecutor mostly in Hardee and Highlands Counties, and briefly in Polk County in the Economic Crimes Division. Pete then worked for William Fletcher...

Daniel is native Floridian, a United States Navy Veteran and a retired Highlands County Deputy Sheriff. Daniel served as a Police Officer for City of Sebring and before that was a Police Officer for Town of Arcadia.

Daniel has worked as a consultant and legal advisor for a local construction firm, and has provided legal services to several local businesses. Daniel has also served as an active member the City of Sebring Planning and Zoning board.

Daniel retired from the Sheriff’s Office, and graduated from Western Michigan University’s Thomas M. Cooley Law School. Daniel is licensed to practice in all Florida...

Bill was raised in the Lakeland Highland in Polk County, Florid. He attended Summerlin Institute, now known as Bartow High school.
He attended Polk Community College, now known as Polk State College in Winter Haven, Florida where he graduated with honors and was selected for Who’s in American Junior College. Bill then attended Florida State University, graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1968. He went on to attend the Florida State University of Law, graduating with honors in 1973.
He worked for the Attorney General’s Office during Law School, handling criminal appeals for the State of Florida. During his Law...

I am a seasoned criminal defense attorney with 25 years of courtroom experience. My background as a former prosecutor and law enforcement academy instructor gives me unique insight into defending the rights of the accused, which I am passionate about. I graduated from the University of Miami Honors Program and received my Juris Doctor from Nova Southeastern University. My legal journey began in insurance defense, but I quickly transitioned to criminal defense to advocate for clients daily. With over 200 trials under my belt, I have successfully handled a wide range of criminal cases, including homicide, drug trafficking, and DUI. My...

Tonmiel Rodriguez is a Board Certified Criminal Defense Lawyer, a distinction few Florida attorneys achieve. He is an experienced litigator, having tried over 56 criminal trials, conducted hundreds of depositions, and litigated numerous motion and evidentiary hearings. Tonmiel was inducted into the National Trial Lawyers list of "Top 40 under 40" Florida Criminal Trial Lawyers. He has been published three times in The Defender, a publication of the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (FACDL). In 2015, Attorney Tonmiel Rodriguez was awarded the FACDL's James T. Miller Scholar Award.

In 2005, Attorney Tonmiel Rodriguez received his Political Science Degree, with Honors,...

Diane Buerger has over 30 years experience as a Florida Criminal Defense lawyer – with cases ranging from felonies to misdemeanor and traffic cases. Her practice includes representation on both the trial and appellate levels. She handles cases from high-profile to first-time offenders. Her primary practice is criminal law -- in both trial and appellate courts. She's successfully argued before the Florida Supreme Court -- and District Courts of Appeal. She's a Past President of the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers -- and also the Polk County Criminal Defense Lawyers Association.

Stacey Hendrix McNelis - Experienced Legal Support From A Polk County Native

Stacey H. McNelis is dedicated to the practice of law and helping those in need. She focuses primarily in Criminal, Dependency and Family Law, and Social Security in Polk, Hardee and Highlands counties. She is an experienced trial attorney, having handled numerous cases in the county court as well as at the circuit court level. Over the course of her career, she has argued hundreds of motions and has tried over 30 jury trials.

Prior to founding McNelis Law, Ms. McNelis joined Colón & McNelis, P.A., in 2005 and practiced...

WORK EXPERIENCE Board Certified as a Criminal Trial Specialist by the Florida bar (1999-Present) BOSWELL & DUNLAP, LLP Bartow FL. Partner, Litigation Specialist, 2004 - Present OFFICE OF THE STATE ATTORNEY, TENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, Tallahassee, FL Assistant State Attorney, Special Prosecution Director. EDUCATION COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT Board of Directors Bartow Women’s Care Center, (2009 to Present) Board of Directors, Chairman, Heartland for Children. (2010 to Present) Tenth Judicial Circuit Professionalism Committee (2005-Present) Bartow Chamber of Commerce, Board of...

As a practicing attorney in Polk County, Florida, for over ten years, I'm proud to offer my clients advice and representation in the areas of family law, criminal defense, and elder law. My vision is to bring a personal feel and approach to each of my client's legal concerns. It is my goal to give each client effective advice and craft personal solutions for difficult legal matters. I'm privileged to be part of the Polk County community, and proud to know that when the good people of this community need my guidance and experience, I'll be here for them.

I am a trial attorney with more than nineteen years of courtroom experience helping individuals, couples, and families in Polk and Hardee Counties. I hold a Martindale-Hubbell AV Rating for Ethical Standards and Legal Ability. Due to the nature of my practice, I appear before the judges in the Family Law division practically every day of the week. Through my years of trial work I have grown to recognize which cases may ultimately have to be tried and which cases may be resolved without going to court. By focusing on solutions to my client’s problems rather than...

Rafael was born and raised in Polk County, Florida, and graduated from Auburndale High School in 1984. Rafael received his B.A. degree from the University of Florida and his Juris Doctor degree from The Ohio State University College of Law in 1997. He was admitted to the Florida Bar in April of 1998, and initially served as an Assistant Public Defender, handling a variety of cases. After just a few months as a misdemeanor attorney, Rafael was quickly promoted to Felony, where he was responsible for cases ranging from drug possession to murder. Rafael soon established...

I was born and raised in Polk County. I was a prosecutor in Bartow for three years before I went into private practice. I have tried over 75 jury trials. I am a married father of three and I live in Winter Haven. I also serve on the Lake Region Lakes Management District.

Jill E. Cabai, a former prosecutor now practicing criminal defense and family law, graduated Cum Laude from the University of Central Florida in Orlando Florida where she earned her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science with a minor in Environmental Studies. She earned her Juris Doctorate from the Florida State College of Law. She graduated from law school with a Certificate in Land Use and a Certificate in Environmental Law. She was admitted to the Florida Bar in 2007. Ms. Cabai has been practicing criminal law for the past twelve years. Ms. Cabai is a seasoned and talented trial attorney...

Matthew Kaylor was born and raised in Polk County, Florida and graduated from Winter Haven High School. He received his undergraduate degree from Florida State University and his law degree from Quinnipiac University in Connecticut. Matthew worked for 3 years at the State Attorney's Office in Bartow as a prosecutor. He has been in private practice with his brother David for the past 7 years. He has tried over 70 jury trials and helped falsely accused people be acguitted of crimes ranging from DUI to petit theft to first degree murder. Matthew is a trial...

As the founder of the legal practice Advocate Law Firm, P.A., Lakeland attorney Melissa A. Wilson devotes her practice to cases of family law, criminal defense and personal injury. She has been working in the legal field since 1998, and she is admitted to practice in both Connecticut and Florida courts. Attorney Wilson is a graduate of the University of Central Florida and Quinnipiac University School of Law. Contact her firm for a free case review.

Having practiced both as a prosecutor and an assistant public defender, i was able to represent many clients in a short period of time. i was able to go to trial on a regular basis and acquire the skills that I needed to successfully represent clients throughout my 25 year career. I have tried serious cases both at the state and federal level, including, murder, trafficking and sex crimes to mention just a few. I have the trial experience that will facilitate a fair resolution of your case short of trial or if necessary,aggressively represent you and your rights...

Lee Viacava has successfully resolved thousands of cases for his clients during his 16+ years of practice. Mr. Viacava dedicates his practice 100% to criminal defense and personally handles each and every case himself. Having resided in Southwest Florida since childhood, Mr. Viacava has developed extensive community ties in his 30+ years spent here. Lee Viacava has been recognized as one of the top 100 DUI attorneys in Southern Florida by The National Advocacy for DUI Defense. The American Institute of DUI/DWI Attorneys awarded Lee Viacava as one of the “10 Best” DUI/DWI Law Attorneys for client satisfaction in Florida....

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...

Profile William F. "Casey" Ebsary, Jr. is a distinguished Board Certified Criminal Defense Attorney and seasoned Trial Lawyer known for his expertise in various legal domains. Areas of Practice With a dedicated focus on trial practice, Mr. Ebsary's extensive legal career encompasses a broad spectrum of cases, including criminal defense, DUI defense, Marijuana and Cannabis Growhouse Defense, white-collar criminal defense, high-tech corporate litigation, and intellectual property issues arising from the Internet and computer networking. Prosecutorial Experience A former Prosecutor, Mr. Ebsary boasts a wealth of litigation experience that spans across a range of high-stakes criminal cases. His repertoire includes handling matters as diverse as murder,...

David Haas is a state and federal criminal defense attorney and represents clients throughout Florida and in federal courts around the country. He is a former state and federal prosecutor with extensive jury trial experience, including handling more than 65 jury trials. A fifth-generation Floridian, he graduated from Stetson University College of Law in 2001 and began his career as a state prosecutor with the State Attorney’s Office in the Tenth Judicial Circuit. After three years of handling felony and misdemeanor offenses, attorney David Haas was promoted to Chief of the Economic/Environmental Crimes Division where he was...

Corey Cohen is a former public defender and state prosecutor for the 18th and 5th judicial circuit of Florida. He received his law degree from Barry University School of Law and his Masters of Law in Intercultural Human Rights from St. Thomas University School of Law.

After graduating from Barry, Corey was employed by the Public Defender's Office where he represented criminal defendants in hundreds of cases. Later in this career, Corey accepted an appointment with the State Attorney's Office where he prosecuted criminal cases. In his experience with both the Public Defender's office and as a State Attorney he has...

DUI & Criminal Defense attorney with over 35 years of experience. Former law enforcement instructor for federal and state liability for unlawful use of force during arrest, search and seizure. Certified by NHSTSA to instruct DUI Field Sobriety Tests. Actively involved in writing on DUI defense issues and has attended seminars throughout the country on DUI defense and scientific lab blood testing. National Consultant on Federal Aviation Regulations related to pilot impairment and DUI.

Mr. Casanova vigorously defends the accused in all cases ranging from misdemeanors to serious felonies. He practices in both State and Federal Courts.

His experience with DUI's, drug trafficking cases, drug possession and sale cases, aggravated domestic battery cases and all misdemeanors and felonies gives him a perspective on criminal law that can provide you with a significant advantage in today's legal system.

Mr. Casanova is a member of the Florida Bar Association, The Brevard County Bar Association, The National Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys, The Association of Trial Lawyers of America, lifetime member of The Florida Association of...

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...