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Michelle Rachel Yard

Michelle Rachel Yard

Law Office of Michelle Yard, PLLC
  • Criminal Law, Appeals & Appellate, White Collar Crime ...
  • Florida
Badges
Claimed Lawyer Profile
Practice Areas
Criminal Law
Criminal Appeals, Drug Crimes, Expungement, Fraud, Gun Crimes, Internet Crimes, Sex Crimes, Theft, Violent Crimes
Appeals & Appellate
Federal Appeals
White Collar Crime
DUI & DWI
Juvenile Law
Fees
  • Free Consultation
    Free phone, virtual, or in-office initial consultation.
  • Credit Cards Accepted
Jurisdictions Admitted to Practice
Florida
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11th Circuit
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U.S. Supreme Court
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United States District Court, Middle District of Florida
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United States District Court, Northern District of Florida
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United States District Court, Southern District of Florida
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Languages
  • English: Spoken, Written
Professional Experience
Trial, Appellate, and Post-Conviction Attorney
Joshi Law Firm, P.A.
- Current
Appellate, Post-Conviction, and Trial Attorney
Federal Defender's Office, MDFL, Orlando Division
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Trial, Appellate, and Post-Conviction Attorney
Ninth Circuit Public Defender's Office, Orlando, Florida
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Education
University of Florida
J.D. (2005)
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Awards
Joseph W. Durocher "Foot Soldier of the Constitution"
Central Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
The Joe Durocher Award is given annually to a criminal defense attorney who exemplifies the actions of a true criminal defense lawyer. They fight for their client’s rights, as well as improving the Criminal Justice system as a whole.
Professional Associations
Florida State Bar  # 14085
Member
- Current
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Central Florida Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys (CFACDL)
President 2022-2023; President-Elect 2021-2022; Vice President, 2020-2021; Media Liaison, 2020-2021
- Current
Activities: Membership Committee (2020-2021); Board Member (2019-2020); Legislative Committee (2019-2020); Speedy Trial Committee (2019-2020); Marsy's Law Committee (2018-2019)
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ACLU
Board Member, Central Florida Chapter
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Activities: Organized a live candidate forum on behalf of ACLU of Central Florida and Central Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (CFACDL). We also partnered with League of Women Voters for Orange County. I gave the intro for ACLU and CFACDL. All four democratic candidates for State Attorney participated. Scott Maxwell of the Orlando Sentinel moderated the two hour forum with pre-selected questions. The June 11, 2020 event reached over 11,000 views. https://www.facebook.com/cfacdl/videos/29596
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Speaking Engagements
Mitigation: The Duty to Investigate, Defend with Purpose: Race to Not Guilty, Hilton Daytona Beach Oceanfront Resort
National Defender Investigator Association
This plenary session focused on conducting and managing the mitigation investigation in a criminal case. It included discussion on mitigation themes, tactics, and strategies. Covered topics included what to collect, what to look for, retaining experts, working with experts and lay witnesses, developing reentry plans, creating mitigation packets, and gathering materials for sentencing.
RIMM Podcast, Episode 65
I served as a panelist discussing my 19+ years of experience as a criminal defense attorney and expert in criminal trial law, as well as discussed other criminal law issues.
Criminal Law Legal Panel, Zoom (Orlando, Florida)
University of Central Florida Chapter of Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity
This session offered Q&A and advice to university students interested on pursuing law school and legal careers, emphasizing on those in criminal law.
Florida's Juvenile Justice System and How it Impacts Federal Sentencing, Zoom (Orlando, Florida)
Federal Defender's Office, MDFL
This presentation summarized Florida’s Juvenile Justice System and explained the juvenile process from initial contact with law enforcement, custody (detention center; await court date at home), assessment (diversion; adult court; JDAI), to court disposition (case dropped to residential facility). It then explored direct-filed juvenile offenses and the impacts the juvenile record will have on a client in federal court including criminal history, career offender, ACCA, and 851 enhancements.
Ethical Duties and Standards for Lawyers Representing Children in Adult Criminal Court, Zoom (Orlando, Florida)
FIU Law Direct File and Youthful Offender Project & CFACDL
This course reviewed the ethical rules regarding the representation of minors, the standards of representation when a juvenile client has been charged with a serious felony in adult court, special considerations related to competence, and the challenges in communicating with child clients.
Shon Hopwood's Journey: Prison Inmate to Georgetown Law Professor, CFACDL Monthly Seminar, Zoom (Orlando, Florida)
Central Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
This session will introduce Professor and Attorney Shon Hopwood. He will discuss his remarkable and unusual journey beginning with a twelve-year prison sentence, through drafting and getting two certiorari petitions granted by the Supreme Court while in prison, through becoming a successful lawyer published in numerous prestigious law reviews. The session will conclude with a 35 minute Q&A on topics from appellate advice to prison reform, moderated by Michelle Yard.
Securing Freedom under Graham and Miller, CFACDL CLE Luncheon, Sorosis Club, Orlando, FL
Central Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
This training presented the stories of five men sentenced to life-in-prison without parole as children in Orange County, Florida and their journeys from entering prison as children through obtaining their freedom today under Graham v. Florida and Miller v. Alabama. I presented along with the five men that I fought for years to free.
First Step Success: Freedom After 26 Years, 2019 Annual Middle District Federal Training Conference, Art Ovation Hotel, Sarasota, Florida
Federal Public Defender
This session presents a historical perspective of the crack-to-powder sentencing disparities over the last 30 years and the interplay of its slow, but ultimately successful legislative reform, culminating in the FSA, as it pertains to one new releasee, formerly imprisoned for life.
Sentencing Reform—Success Under the First Step Act, Winning Strategies, Baltimore Marriott Inner Harbor at Camden Yards, Baltimore, Maryland
Defender Services
Mass incarceration has plagued many prisoners and their families. For decades, the crack-to-powder sentencing disparity resulted in unfair and unwarranted sentencing disparity. Although modest in many respects, the First Step Act is bringing hope and reduced sentences to many prisoners. This session explores the sentencing reformation of the last 30 years and and details the successful release of one prisoner under the First Step Act.
"Lunch and Learn", UCF Campus, Orlando, Florida
Center for Law and Policy, Department of Legal Studies, University of Central Florida
This seminar, attended by undergraduate and graduate students, explored state and federal criminal law in practice, and associated career paths.
"Consequences of a Felony Conviction", Department of Corrections Life Skills & Career Readiness Program, Orlando Division Probation & Parole, Orlando, Florida
Florida Department of Corrections
This session explored the consequences of felony conviction on an individual, including the impact of adjudication being withheld and the loss of civil & firearm rights, as well as the restoration of those rights. The difference between direct and collateral consequences of a criminal conviction was also covered.
Mitigation: The Duty to Investigate, Nitty Gritty Mitigation Sentencing Strategies: Mitigation and Sentencing for Miller, Death Penalty, and Veteran Clients, Orlando Regional History Center, Orlando, Florida
Central Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
This session focused on the attorney’s role in conducting, and managing, the mitigation investigation. It included discussion on mitigation themes, tactics, and strategies. Covered topics included what to collect, what to look for, retaining experts, working with experts and lay witnesses, developing reentry plans, creating mitigation packets, and writing sentencing memoranda.
Fla. Statute § 921.1401 Sentencings: Pleadings, Proof, and Preservation, From Mischief to Murder: Representing Teens and Young Adults Facing Prison, in conjunction with the Florida Public Defender Association, Inc.'s Trial with Style 2016, The Naples Beach and Golf Club, Naples, Florida
Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
This session explored how to prepare for, and present, your JLWOP case for resentencing from start to finish.
Mitigation, Litigation, & Negotiation Strategies: Mitigating the Aggravation, Juvenile Life Without Parole Resentencings, Renaissance Airport Hotel, Orlando, Florida
Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
This session focused on strategies regarding how to prepare for bad facts; use of experts; and ideas about when and how to attempt to resolve Miller and Graham resentencing hearings short of full resentencing hearings; finally, it dealt with mitigating and litigating "bad facts."
Certifications
Board Certified Criminal Trial Attorney
The Florida Bar
Websites & Blogs
Website
Law Office of Michelle Yard, PLLC
Website
Florida Bar Lawyer Details
Contact & Map
Michelle Yard Law
Orlando, FL, US
Telephone: (407) 488-6100
Monday: 8:30 AM - 5 PM
Tuesday: 8:30 AM - 5 PM
Wednesday: 8:30 AM - 5 PM
Thursday: 8:30 AM - 5 PM
Friday: 8:30 AM - 5 PM (Today)
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: Closed
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