Ferndale Criminal Lawyers

Now Open – January 2025! With more than 25 years of experience in criminal law, Rocky Brancato has established himself as a leading attorney in the Tampa Bay legal community. As a seasoned criminal trial attorney, he worked his way up to the role of second-in-command at the Hillsborough County Public Defender’s Office before launching The Brancato Law Firm, P.A., in January 2025. Rocky has a wealth of experience handling high-stakes criminal cases, including homicides and sex offenses, from his tenure in a specialized major crimes division. Throughout his career, Rocky has consistently taken on complex and serious cases, demonstrating an unwavering...

Candamo Law provides legal consulting and litigation services for individuals and businesses in Tampa. Call us for a free consultation (813) 549-5544

We help businesses protect themselves and represent them in negotiations, collections, lawsuits, arbitration, mediation and administrative hearings. Our practice areas include:

* Business Dispute Resolution and Litigation
* Commercial Debt Collections
* Construction Law and Real Estate Litigation
* General Corporate Law

Our law firm also represents individuals in criminal defense, immigration and civil litigation matters in the entire Tampa Bay area. We are committed to finding practical and affordable solutions to your legal challenges. Our lawyers have considerable experience in various areas of...

I am a criminal defense attorney with extensive experience in the courtroom defending clients accused of DUI/DWI, drug crimes, sex crimes, gun crimes, white collar crimes and other criminal cases.

I am Board Certified as an Expert in Criminal Trial Law by the Florida Bar. I am AV Rated Preeminent by Martindale Hubbell, have been recognized as a Rising Star by Super Lawyers, have a 10/10 rating on Avvo, and have been selected as one of the Top 100 Trial Lawyers by The National Trial Lawyers.

I am a member of the Florida Bar, National College of DUI Defense, Florida Association...

A Queens, New York native graduating from the State University of New York (SUNY) Albany in Political Science, History and a minor in Criminal Justice in 2010. Ms. Whitfield graduated Ave Maria School of Law, in Naples, FL in 2013 and became a member of the Florida Bar in 2015. She has established a practice in the Tampa Bay area where she lives and works. Having established several areas of practice including Estate Planning, Probate, Immigration, Criminal Defense, and Business Law matters. Her passion is to help those in her community through the court system with their legal issues and...

Michael J. Politis is the Daytona Beach personal injury attorney who established Politis & Matovina, P.A. He is a proud graduate of Nova University School of Law. Before he established the firm, Attorney Politis was a Prosecutor at the State Attorney’s Office in Daytona Beach and went on to become the Chief of Homicide Prosecutor with a 100% conviction rate. He has a strong track record of providing knowledgeable counsel not only in court but also in various TV shows, newspaper articles, and lectures. Attorney Politis is also recognized with the highest possible rating by Martindale-Hubble? Law Directory. Get...

Attorney John L. Calcagni, III from the Law Office of John L. Calcagni, III is a highly skilled, aggressive, and experienced criminal defense trial attorney. He is a former military prosecutor in the U.S. Army JAG Corps where he prosecuted hundreds of complex felony cases in the United States and abroad. Attorney John L. Calcagni, III also served as a Special Assistant U.S. Attorney with U.S. Attorney's Office in New York. As a prosecutor, attorney John L. Calcagni, III never lost a single case. He is admitted to practice in state and federal courts in Rhode Island, Massachusetts, New York,...

With over 15 years of experience, I have handled thousands of cases. I am both skilled and knowledgeable in Criminal Defense, Foreclosure Defense, Bankruptcy, Family Law, and Injury Law matters. I provide personal attention and zealous representation to meet my clients' legal needs and goals. I am committed to protecting and fighting for their rights and interests.

As a former Deputy District Attorney, I prosecuted a broad range of criminal matters from misdemeanors to serious felonies. My extensive knowledge and insight into the criminal law system has assisted in the successful defense of many clients. I also advocate for clients...

Safir Injury & Criminal Defense Law, a law firm in St. Petersburg, Florida, is led by attorney Rory Safir. With a focus on DUI defense and a strong background in private practice and as a former Assistant Public Defender, Rory is dedicated to providing exceptional legal representation to individuals facing DUI charges. As a trial lawyer at heart, Rory brings extensive courtroom experience to every case he handles. He has successfully handled a number of jury trials and possesses a deep understanding of the intricacies involved in DUI defense. His passion for the law and his commitment to protecting his...

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...

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...

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.

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...

Chris Beardslee is an experienced criminal defense attorney based in Tampa, FL, with a diverse background in handling various criminal cases, including DUIs, drug charges, assault and battery, theft, criminal traffic offenses, sealings and expungements, veterans treatment court, juvenile defense, and more. As a former US Navy Petty Officer, he brings a unique perspective and understanding of the challenges veterans may face. His extensive knowledge of criminal procedure and case law has resulted in numerous dismissals and reduced charges on serious offenses, making him a trusted advocate for his clients.

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...

Mr. Bonamo received his Juris Doctor degree from Stetson University College of law in St. Petersburg, Florida in 1995. While in law school, Mr. Bonamo was extensively involved in Stetson’s trial practice and clinic programs. Prior to attending Stetson University, he received his Bachelor of Arts degree, with honors, from the University of Florida in 1992. Due to Mr. Bonamo’s academic achievement while at the University of Florida he was selected for membership in Phi Beta Kappa national academic honor society. He has been selected as an "Advisor" for the Florida Bar's Lawyers Advising Lawyers Program (LAL).
Prior to joining...

Brett M. Schwartz, Esq., a leading Miami criminal defense lawyer, is well-known for his expertise and dedication in court. Influenced by his father's work as a defense attorney, Brett has a strong understanding of the legal system. He has worked both as a prosecutor and a defense lawyer, giving him a broad view of criminal cases. His education includes a degree from the University of Miami and a law degree from South Texas College of Law. Brett is highly recognized in his field, with awards like The National Trial Lawyers Top 100 in 2022, Top Attorneys in Florida in 2019,...

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,...

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...

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....

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.

For 25 years, David Parry has been exclusively practicing criminal law in Florida. The breadth of his experience is reflected in his successful private practice, where he specializes in all types of criminal defense as a Board Certified Criminal Trial Attorney, a distinction held by less than 1% of all Florida attorneys. Dave's reputation in the legal community began while serving at the Pinellas County Public Defender's Office for thirteen years. Serving as the Chief Assistant Public Defender and overseeing 60 attorneys, he successfully defended the rights of those wrongfully accused of crimes such as murder, juvenile crimes, DUI, and...

As an attorney, Adam Stout has spent thousands of hours inside the courtroom. He knows that environment, how it works, and how to win in that arena. When he speaks, people listen. This is the product of meticulous preparation and unbridled conviction in advocating for your cause. To Adam, his clients are not statistics. They are people with very real problems. That is why he personally handles every case from beginning to end. Whether you are facing a DUI, drug charges, or some other crime, he will stand at your side, ready to protect your rights and fight on your...

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....

Andrew T. Morgan is a skilled family law and criminal defense attorney, as well as an equity partner at Canan Law. At the firm, Andrew focuses his practice on high net-worth divorces and family law litigation, as well as complex criminal cases. In the past, Andrew worked as an assistant state attorney, where he successfully defended clients in a variety of high-profile cases involving murder, manslaughter, DUI, sexual battery, drug offenses, robbery, aggravated battery, domestic violence, and more. Now, he draws on more than 15 years of legal practice to effectively advocate for his clients. Andrew is an active member...

Thomas L. Edwards is a lifelong Floridian. He was born in Miami Beach and grew up in Hollywood, Florida. He moved to Gainesville to attend college and graduated from the University of Florida (Bachelor of Science with Honors, 1983). Upon graduation, he was selected by the University of Florida to be the first student to participate in the combined Criminology and Law program and became that program's first graduate in 1986 obtaining his Masters Degree with Honors and his Juris Doctorate.

Mr. Edwards continues to support the University of Florida by sponsoring the Book Award in Criminal Law, which is presented...

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...

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...

Jason Reid began his career in Florida in 2006 with the Office of the Public Defender for the Ninth Circuit. Jason Reid moved to the Tampa Bay area joining a local lawyer firm in 2012. Jason Reid decided to take his dedication to his client's cases with a hands on approach at The Reid Firm in 2019.

Jason Reid is Board Certified Criminal Trial, Appellate, Personal Injury and Workers' Compensation lawyer with experience in all areas going back to at least 2012.

The Reid Firm is located in Bradenton, and handles cases frequently in Sarasota and Tampa. We are a...

James A. Fowler Jr. is the co-founder and managing partner of Fowler Law Group. James draws upon his diverse criminal law experiences to defend adults and juveniles involved in all types of criminal law matters, including federal and state crimes, DUI offenses, driver’s license suspensions and traffic cases. He is a native of Sarasota County and obtained his Juris Doctor degree from Florida Coastal School of Law in Jacksonville, Florida.

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...

Frank Fernandez has been practicing law for over 26 years in the Tampa Bay area and Hillsborough County. In 1992 he received his undergraduate degree from St. Louis University, which he attended under a full academic scholarship. He received his law degree from the Florida State University College of Law in 1995 and became a member of he Florida Bar later that year. Frank has appeared on behalf of his clients at the trial and appellate level in Federal and State courts all throughout Florida. He has dedicated his legal career to specialize in Personal Injury and Criminal Defense. As a personal injury lawyer, Frank...

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...

Maj: pronounced like the first syllable of "Magic" Vasigh: pronounced "Va-sigh" Most people go through life thinking they'll never need a criminal defense attorney. And many of them never will. But sometimes, a regular, decent, professional person - a teacher, college student, nurse, or fellow lawyer - will find themselves in a situation they never thought they'd be in. That's when they call Maj Vasigh, a criminal defense attorney in Tampa who is an expert in criminal defense litigation. Though he represents people from all walks of life the majority of his clientele aren't the type of "hard criminals"...

EXPERIENCE MATTERS! Since 1985, attorney Richard G. Canina has been practicing exclusively criminal defense in Brevard County, FL. Mr. Canina graduated with Honors from The University Of Florida at age 20, obtaining a B.A. in criminal justice. He later attended Stetson University College of Law, where he received his Juris Doctorate. While at Stetson, Mr. Canina served as Vice President of Sigma Nu Phi Legal Fraternity and successfully completed an internship with the Office of The Public Defender, Sixth Judicial Circuit. After graduating from law school Mr. Canina took a position with the Brevard County Public Defender’s Office, where...

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.

Brigitta Hawkins is an Of Counsel attorney with the Central Florida law firm of Bogin, Munns & Munns. Her primary areas of practice are Social Security Disability and Workers’ Compensation. She received her B.A. from University of Central Florida (2002) and her J.D. from the Florida A&M College of Law (2006).

Ms. Hawkins is the recipient of Florida Bar President’s Pro Bono Service Award 2017 for the 18th Judicial Circuit and the Florida Association for Women Lawyers Leader in Law Award, along with several awards for her pro bono work.

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.