Salem Criminal Lawyers

I have been practicing law since 1992 when I began as a Assistant State Attorney in the Tampabay area, In 1996 I entered private practice in an effort to share my experience with clients seeking legal help. My background includes 10 years of law enforcement experience as a patrolmen, K-9 officer and organized crime detective. I was trained by the DEA in narcotics investigations and worked on local and Federal task force. My experience includes investigating fatal traffic crashes, K-9 handler, covert investigations, state prosecution and extensive criminal defense including traffic and serious felony trials. I have represented injured families...

Jack A. Kaleita graduated from Stetson University College of Law, was admitted to the Bar in 1986 and began his legal career as a state prosecutor on Florida's west coast. He then returned to Central Florida after 5 years, serving as an Assistant State Attorney in Seminole County for an additional 12 years. As a prosecutor, Mr. Kaleita tried numerous cases involving virtually every type of criminal charge. In addition to taking dozens of criminal cases to trial himself, he taught and supervised other attorneys, first as a Lead Trial Attorney, and later as the Misdemeanor/Traffic Division Chief and as the...

David Haenel protects the rights of the accused. His firm,The Law Place, has offices in Sarasota, Tampa, Orlando, and Clearwater but they represent people throughout the State of Florida. David is the former 2004 State of Florida DUI Prosecutor of the Year and has spent his entire legal career representing individuals charged with traffic and criminal traffic violations. David and his team of lawyers are relentless in their legal representation and are not satisfied until they have exhausted all possible defenses.

Jeff Thomas is a Tampa criminal defense lawyer at Thomas & Paulk, P.A. He is a Florida native and graduate of Stetson College of Law. Throughout his career, he has handled more than 3,500 criminal cases. He is experienced with non-jury cases, jury trials, and traffic cases.

Daniel J. Fernandez defends individuals charged with misdemeanor and felony criminal offenses throughout the Tampa Bay area and the State of Florida. With more than 30 years experience as a criminal defense attorney and hundreds of jury trials, Daniel earned tremendous accolades from judges, other lawyers, defendants and even jurors. Daniel started his legal career as a state prosecutor and became the chief of the Narcotics division before opening his own law practice in 1985. Daniel and members of his staff are fluent in Spanish and are available to answer questions you may have regarding a recent injury or...

Attorney Hillary Johnson is a former prosecutor who brings experience and exceptional legal knowledge to each case she tries. She holds a degree in communication from Florida State University and Juris Doctor from the Jones School of Law at Faulkner University in Montgomery, Alabama. While she was in law school, Ms. Johnson completed an internship with the State Attorney’s Office in Panama City. After graduation, she worked as an attorney with Florida’s Department of Children and Families before accepting a position at the State Attorney’s Office in Manatee County and Sarasota. It was while she was at the...

Michael Haworth's legal journey began at the State Attorney's Office in Pinellas County. Since 2017, he has managed a wide array of cases, from misdemeanors to capital offenses. His outstanding performance in court was recognized in 2018 when he received the Sixth Circuit State Attorney's Office Golden Tie Award for the highest number of trial victories. Michael is known in Pinellas County for his effective courtroom advocacy. His extensive experience in jury trials has honed his ability to defend cases effectively. Michael has dedicated years to identifying evidence issues, inconsistencies in police reports, and inaccuracies in witness accounts. With years of...

Attorney Jackson Hilliard has lived in St. Petersburg and the Tampa Bay area for the past ten years. Mr. Hilliard received his Bachelor’s degree in 1988 from the University of Central Florida. He earned his law degree in 2006 from Stetson College of Law. He is a member of multiple associations, including the Florida Bar, Clearwater Bar, St. Petersburg Bar, the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, and the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyer. Mr. Hilliard is the leading attorney at his Clearwater law firm, Hilliard Law, P.L. At the firm, he provides Florida residents with criminal and DUI...

Founded in 2001 by Amir A. Ladan, The Ladan Law Firm, P.A. is dedicated to providing exceptional legal representation to our clients. We handle criminal matters, injunctions and infractions in courthouses throughout Central Florida and have earned an exceptional reputation as experienced, effective advocates for our clients.

Our legal team is available seven days a week to assist our clients and potential clients with their legal needs. With three offices and phone and virtual appointments available, we make meeting with one of our lawyers simple and convenient. For a free, confidential consultation, simply call our office...

Tampa Criminal Defense Attorney, Ben Stechschulte, is a board-certified expert in criminal trial law. He has been practicing in the Tampa Bay area for nearly 15 years and has tried over 60 cases to verdict.  His experience is both varied and comprehensive, which makes him uniquely qualified to aggressively and effectively defend his clients who are facing criminal charges or have been injured in an accident. Ben attended Stetson University College of Law, which is recognized as one of the top law schools in the country for trial advocacy.  After graduating in 2005, Ben served as a prosecutor in Hillsborough County.  Ben...

We are a law firm based in the heart of Tampa with expertise in Family Law, Discrimination and Business Litigation. Our lawyers have collective experience of over 35 years handling cases just like yours. We are a boutique law firm focused on your rights and making sure that those rights are taken care of.

Our attorneys are able to provide the skills and expertise that may be found at larger firms without the overhead expenses many of these larger law firms typically pass on to its clients. We are passionate about helping to build our community and its businesses and work...

Born and raised in Tampa, Drew attended Tampa Preparatory High School and then graduated from New College of Florida, The State’s Honors College, in Sarasota. During Law School at the University of Florida, Drew interned as a student law clerk for both State and Federal Judges in Tampa and worked as a certified legal intern at the Hillsborough County State Attorney’s Office.

At the State, Drew was able to conduct voir dire (jury selection) and prosecute criminal jury trials before he graduated from law school. It was during this later experience that he came to understand the invaluable...

After graduating from Florida State University College of Law in the year 2000, Attorney Rusty Shepard became the Assistant State Attorney in Chipley for four years. As a former prosecutor, Mr. Shepard is well-versed in the legal system, judicial processes and how to best anticipate choices on the part of the prosecution in his current cases. Coming up with aggressive and intuitive defense tactics, Attorney Shepard is devoted to obtaining the best possible verdict for his clients, doing everything in his power to have their charges reduced or dismissed altogether. He is the President of the Bay County Chapter at...

Manuel ‘Manny’ Serra-Jovenich has tried more than 25 jury trials in his career and handled over 1,000 cases. He fought against big banks during Florida's foreclosure crisis, protected people's constitutional rights as a Broward County Public Defender and can also represent homeowners when their insurance claims are underpaid or denied. Manny has been named to the National Trial Lawyers' Top 40 Under 40 list and was named 10 Best in Client Satisfaction by the American Institute of Criminal Law Attorneys. Manny loves to represent a “David” against a “Goliath” and became a lawyer to use his talents to help others...

Jose A. Diaz, Esq. New York University School of Law, Juris Doctor; Columbia University, Columbia College, Bachelor of Arts, Admitted: New York, Florida and Federal Courts. Former Assistant District Attorney New York County, Former Counsel to the Office of the Inspector General, NYC Department of Investigations, Former Administrative Law Judge NYSDMV.

Donnie Goodwin is a member of the Florida Bar and is licensed to practice in the state of Florida. He is also admitted to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida. Currently he is General Counsel and Comptroller at TurnpikeInfo.com.

I am a trial attorney and I have developed the knowledge and experience to aid my clients in all facets of litigation. My practice is focused on developing legally and factually sound arguments for every possible venue. I handle cases involving issues before trial courts, administrative courts, appellate courts, legislatures, civic boards, mediators and arbitrators.

For nearly three decades I have navigated the legal system, achieving the results my clients desire. As a former prosecutor with hundreds of trials under my belt, I understand that a successful lawyer is not just an aggressive one in the courtroom but also a compassionate one outside of it. Anyone can be aggressive; it takes experience and dedication to understand when to be each. You need a lawyer to preserve your interests during the worst of times. My job and my privilege is to assist my clients through the legal system and the pitfalls that are contained therein.

Have you found yourself worried about the solidarity of your future due to the heartbreak of a sex crime or violent crime? If so, you need to garner the helpful understanding of a professional in quick succession. The team from the law office of Brian L. Edwards, Esq has more than a decade of experience ready to help you move forward. Don’t let your pain continue any longer than it already has, but instead work towards the effectual case completion that’s deserved. The law office of Brian L. Edwards, Esq is made up of a team of tenacious legal professionals...

Mr. Larsen is an experienced trial lawyer who specializes in the areas of personal injury and criminal defense. If you're seeking an attorney who will work hard to seek justice on your behalf, contact him today. Proudly serving the Treasure Coast and Space Coast.

I have been a member of the Family Law Committee of the Escambia/Santa Rosa Bar Association and have participated as a speaker on Family Law topics. I am a member of the Florida Bar (both in Family Law and Criminal Law Sections), Escambia/Santa Rosa Criminal Defense Society and The Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. I received my law degree from Florida State University College of Law (1994), and have been a member of the following Bar and Courts: Florida Bar since 1995; Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals for the Northern and Middle District of Florida since 1995. I am...

Matthew Konecky is an experienced criminal defense attorney and personal injury attorney originally from the Moline, Illinois area. Matthew founded his private practice – the Law Offices of Matthew Konecky, P.A. – in 2004. Focusing on the individual, the Law Offices of Matthew Konecky, P.A. specializes in Personal Injury matters and Criminal Defense cases. Since 2002, Matthew has handled thousands of cases involving complex litigation issues as well as simple dispute resolutions. In 2008, he opened a second office in Palm Beach County to expand North in the South Florida Region.

Mr. Eisenberg is one of only a handful of criminal defense attorneys (seven, to be exact) in all of Sarasota County who has been recognized by the Florida Bar as a Board Certified Criminal Trial Expert. There's a reason why there are so few board certified criminal defense attorneys. That's because the Florida Bar's requirements for board certification are so difficult to achieve! Only lawyers who have been recognized by the Florida Bar as "Board Certified" are legally entitled to call themselves an "Expert" or "Specialist" in their area of the law. It is the highest...

William R. Wade has practiced criminal defense law for 29 years in Kentucky, Alabama and Florida. He is the President of the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (2014-2015). He is admitted to practice in all Florida State and Federal Courts. While his principal physical office is in Milton, Mr. Wade practices in all courts of the 1st Judicial Circuit.

I have practiced law for 32 years. My experience is broad, but has mostly focused on litigation, court practice, and document drafting and review. I have MANY YEARS of courtroom experience. I handle a variety of family and criminal law issues including, but not limited to, divorce, child support enforcement, alimony issues, parenting issues, domestic violence injunctions, mediation, DUI's, drug offenses, battery, probation violations, and theft-related offenses, among many others. I also provide many estate planning services, including the drafting of documents such as, Wills, Power of Attorney (durable or for a limited purpose), and Advance Healthcare Directives (Living Wills,...

Mark Saul Germain has focused his career on defending individuals charged with criminal offenses in Brevard County, FL, and the surrounding areas of central Florida. After completing his undergraduate degree at Rhodes College, Mark earned his Juris Doctor (JD) degree and a Masters of Business Administration (MBA) from Stetson University College of Law in 2004. After law school, Mark Germain's passion for trial advocacy lead to the public defender's office for the 18th Judicial Circuit of Florida were he served as an Assistant Public Defender. During his tenure at the public defender's office, Mark Germain represented hundreds of individuals charged with...

Mr. Gil was born and raised in Elizabeth, NJ, prior to entering the United States Navy in 2003 as Master at Arms/Military Police Office. Mr. Gil served two deployments in support of Operation Enduring Freedom attached to Joint Task Force Guantanamo from 2005 until 2007. Following his service, Mr. Gil relocated to Cape Coral, Florida to be closer to family. Mr. Gil attended Southwest Florida College to pursue his BS in Criminal Justice to further his career in Public Service. Mr. Gil was inspired to become an attorney during his internship with the Office of the State Attorney 20th Judicial...

I am a former prosecutor and have been practicing criminal law for over 15 years. I have practiced in both State and Federal courts. I have an engineering degree from University of Florida, and received my law degree from Southwestern University School of Law in Los Angeles, California. I worked for a California Court of Appeal Judge in Los Angeles, for the United States Attorney's Office in Las Vegas, and as a prosecutor in Sarasota. I opened my office in downtown Sarasota in 2002, and practice exclusively criminal defense.

I practice civil litigation and criminal defense. I began my legal career in the Washington, D.C. office of Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft, a New York-based international law firm, where I was a member of the business fraud litigation group. In 2010, I returned to Sarasota, where I was born a raised, to practice law with my father, a board certified civil trial lawyer with over 40 years of experience, and his law partner, Elliott Metcalfe, an AV rated former public defender with over 30 years and thousands of trials worth of experience. I have experience representing commercial...

I am a 1991 graduate of the University of South Carolina School of Law, and have an undergraduate degree in public administration from George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia. I worked as a prosecutor after graduating from law school, and have been in private practice since 1996. I handle all types of criminal cases, primarily in the Sarasota and Manatee county areas.

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...

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...

Susan has been practicing criminal defense for over 13 years, having tried more than 100 jury trials and handled thousands of cases, ranging from driving and drug offenses to sexual battery and homicide cases. Also, she was a member of the International Moot Court and Intercultural Human Rights Law Review. Susan has always loved to litigate and help others, using her voice, knowledge, skills, and passion to zealously advocate and make a difference in the lives of others.

Meritxell has been practicing criminal defense in South Florida for more than 13 years. As a former Assistant Public Defender, she handled thousands of cases ranging from Death Penalty cases to misdemeanor DUIs and drug offenses. She has tried more than 50 jury trials, including Murder and Capital Sexual Battery trials. Meritxell received her juris doctorate degree from St. Thomas University, where she was the recipient of the ABOTA Trial Scholarship. She has always had a passion for helping those who could not help themselves and has devoted her entire career to the zealous advocacy of those accused of crimes,...

Eric C. Padron has been practicing law in Miami for over eleven years. As both a prosecutor and criminal defense lawyer, he has tried a wide variety of cases from DUIs to capital murder. Meticulous preparation, creativity, and fearlessness are the hallmarks of the representation Eric C. Padron provides his clients. If you find yourself in need of just this kind of a criminal defense lawyer, then please don't hesitate to contact him.

Benjamin Matthew Kurtz has been practicing in Maryland since 2016. During that time, he has successfully represented individuals and entities in a variety of cases, focusing most of his time on personal injury and criminal defense.

Personal Injury

Benjamin Kurtz successfully represents individuals who have been seriously injured. With compassion and confidence, he deftly navigates his clients through the legal maze to an outcome designed to mitigate their pain and suffering and maximize recoveries for clients in need. The fact that many of Benjamin's clients are referred to him by his former clients and other attorneys is a resounding testament...

An arrest or accident, can have a far-reaching impact on your future. Misdemeanors and felony convictions can stay on your record indefinitely, casting a shadow on your future. Additionally, you may suffer from your car accident for many years to come.
I can advise you on the best course of action for your situation. I was admitted to the bar in 2004 and my law firm concentrates on criminal defense. My experienced, aggressive representation comes from 13 years of courtroom experience, including 6 years as a felony prosecutor.
I am tough in the courtroom, but I always put the needs of my...