Pinellas County Criminal Lawyers

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...

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.

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...

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...

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....

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.

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...

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...

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...

Rory Safir is a DUI and criminal defense attorney in St. Petersburg, Florida, and one of fewer than 120 attorneys nationwide and just 6 in Florida to earn the ACS-CHAL Forensic Lawyer-Scientist designation from the American Chemical Society. This means he is trained to challenge forensic evidence with the same scientific principles used in crime labs and toxicology reports. His practice is focused almost entirely on DUI defense, with a heavy emphasis on cases involving chemical testing (breath, blood, and urine) and drug DUIs. Rory earned his certification after completing intensive hands-on training at Axion Analytical Labs in Chicago, where...

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...

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...

Attorneys Don Hendry and Kris Parker are experienced trial attorneys with nearly 100 jury trials between them. They possess the trial experience you should look for in selecting an criminal law attorney or divorce lawyer who WILL fight for your rights.

Don Hendry and Kris Parker will personally handle your case from evaluation until it is resolved. Your case will not be delegated to an associate attorney or a legal assistant, and you can always pick up the phone and call.

If you’re searching for an experienced and affordable criminal defense attorney, family attorney, or need a personal injury lawyer...

Attorney Shpresa Idrizi is a highly skilled personal injury and criminal defense lawyer based in Florida. With nearly two decades of experience, she has built a strong reputation in accident law and criminal defense, handling cases involving manslaughter, murder, domestic violence, drug offenses, assault and battery, violent crimes, probation violations, weapons charges, record sealing and expungement, juvenile arrests, and DUI defense. Shpresa began her legal career in May 2005 as a state prosecutor for the Sixth Judicial Circuit in the Pinellas County State Attorney’s Office, where she prosecuted thousands of criminal cases. In June 2008, she transitioned to criminal defense, refining...

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.

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...

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...

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...

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, Florida firm Tew, Zinober,Barnes, Zimmet & Unice....

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,...

Laurel Marois Ackerman was born and raised in St. Pete and is happy to still call it home today! Laurel graduated from the University of Florida with her Bachelor’s degree cum laude in 2015, and from UF’s Levin College of Law with her Juris Doctor cum laude in 2018, making her a PROUD Double Gator. In law school, 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....

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.

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....

20 years of court room experience handling criminal, divorce, bankruptcy, family, foreclosure, and injury law cases in Clearwater, New Port Richey, Palm Harbor, Tarpon Springs, and all of Tampa Bay, Florida My name is Steve Bartlett and I am an experienced Board Certified Criminal Trial Attorney who is not afraid to fight for my clients. Although many lawyers describe themselves as aggressive or fearless, I have a proven documented history of fighting against the powerful. You can read about some of my cases in the news section of this webpage. I have over 20 years of court room...

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...

Experienced trial attorney, practicing in federal and state court. Licensed in Florida, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York. Has earned three degrees, including a law degree from Florida State University and an advanced law degree, LL.M. in Trial Advocacy, from Temple University's Beasley School of Law (which consistently competes with Stetson University's law school for the TOP trial school in the U.S.A.).

Andrew Tetreault (pronounced Tay-tro) grew up all over the United States, though spending most of his life in the Midwest and the South. Andrew attended college at Ohio Wesleyan University, just outside of Columbus, Ohio, and received a Bachelor's degree as a double major. After college, Andrew enrolled at Tulane University Law School in New Orleans, Louisiana. During the fall of 2005, Hurricane Katrina caused a disaster in New Orleans and Tulane was shut down for the entire fall semester. In order to graduate law school on time, Andrew enrolled as a visiting student at the University of Florida College of...

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...

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...

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...

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.

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...

Welcome to Finkelstein Firm, P.A. I have dedicated my 20 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!

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...

With over 35 yrs experience in criminal law, Ronnie Crider has built a strong reputation as a defense attorney by applying his extensive experience as a Pinellas County Deputy Sheriff and Assistant State Attorney towards defending his clients. Upon leaving the State Attorney's Office, Ronnie began his successful Criminal Law Practice and was among the first one hundred criminal attorneys in the State of Florida to achieve Criminal Trial Law Board Certification , a distinction held by fewer than 1% of all Florida attorneys. During the past 26 years, Ronnie has exclusively represented those charged with both Felony and...

Christopher Hersem is an attorney in the Clearwater, Florida, area. He was born and raised here, and has practiced law for fifteen years in the area. His advocacy for clients has helped clients overcome criminal charges, traffic tickets, and personal injuries for more than a decade. Attorney Christopher Hersem started his career with an undergraduate education at the University of Florida. After this, he studied law at Stetson University College of Law, with a concentration in advocacy. He was also a member of many organizations at this time. He was named in Who’s Who of American Law Schools. He also...

Call us today and we’ll be happy to set up an appointment to discuss your legal needs. Put our team to work for you, and you will receive our guarantee of hard work and proven legal knowledge. In Clearwater and throughout the Tampa Bay area, contact McGuire Law Offices for all your legal needs.