28 Years in Criminal Defense
I am a criminal defense attorney in Tampa. I have practiced for 28 years in Hillsborough, Pinellas and Pasco counties, and I specialize in criminal defense.
Before Law School
I earned a Bachelor of Arts in Criminology from the University of South Florida in 1994. During my senior year I interned for Chief Judge Ronald Ficarrotta of the 13th Judicial Circuit. Before law school I worked as a probation officer and was later promoted to court representative for the Misdemeanor Probation Office in Tampa. That job showed me how the criminal justice and probation systems work from the inside.
I grew up in Seminole, in Pinellas County, and graduated from Seminole High School. When I started at the Pinellas County Public Defender’s Office in 1998, I was working in the county I grew up in.
Law School
I earned my Juris Doctor from the University of Minnesota in 1998. I focused on criminal law and criminal defense there.
Public Defender, 1998 to 2002
I began my career at the Pinellas County Public Defender’s Office. I started in misdemeanors, moved to juvenile cases, and then to felonies.
Private Practice, Since 2002
I founded my own practice in 2002. I handle everything from pretrial motions to trial. I also negotiate with prosecutors for reduced charges, dismissals and alternative sentences, when that is in my client’s interest.
Practice Areas
- DUI
- Drug Possession and Trafficking
- Domestic Violence
- Assault and Battery
- Theft
- Burglary
- Probation Violations
- Driving on a Suspended License
How I Work
I treat every client with respect and make sure you are heard. I build the defense around your facts, not a template. I tell you plainly where the risks are.
Outside the Office
Away from work, I hike. I get out to Florida’s state parks whenever I can, and now and then farther, like Banff, usually with family and friends. I also like catching Bucs and Lightning games, and I always find time to root for my alma mater, the USF Bulls. After a long day in the office, that’s how I recharge.
Professional Memberships
- The Florida Bar
- Hillsborough County Bar Association
- Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (FACDL)
Contact
If you have been charged with a crime, call me at 813-228-6001 or email me. The consultation is free.