Top best Criminal Defense Lawyers in Fort Myers near me

Zachary Cantor graduated from the University of Michigan with a major in English Language & Literature. Following graduation Mr. Cantor attended Brooklyn Law School where he received his Juris Doctorate.  While attending law school Mr. Cantor worked at a plaintiff's personal injury law firm in New York City in order to supplement the academic training of law school with the real world training gained by working side by side with experienced personal injury attorneys on a daily basis.  Following graduation from law school Mr. Cantor spent many years practicing law as a litigation attorney in New York and New Jersey before moving to Florida and opening the Law Firm of Cantor & Cantor.. Mr. Cantor has extensive personal injury and criminal defense experience having spent many years successfully litigating personal injury and criminal defense cases. Mr. Cantor practices personal injury law in all areas including general civil liability, vehicle negligence, premises liability, catastrophic injury and wrongful death.  In the realm of criminal defense Mr. Cantor defends clients accused of all manner of crimes from second degree misdemeanors to felony charges punishable by life in prison.. During his career, Mr. Cantor has prided himself on his ability to achieve outstanding results for his clients. Mr. Cantor knows that when you have been injured due to the negligence of another party, or arrested for a crime, you are involved in a potentially life changing situation.  By deeply understanding the singular importance of each case that comes across his desk Mr. Cantor is able to lead clients through the process and guide them to the results they seek.. There is no more important decision you will make regarding your Personal Injury Claim or Criminal Charge than the lawyer you choose to hire. Mr. Cantor is available any time, day or night, for a free consultation to discuss your injury or arrest.

STATE AND FEDERAL CRIMINAL TRIAL ATTORNEY WITH OVER 38 YEARS EXPERIENCE.  WHITE COLLAR CRIMES, SEX CRIMES, VIOLENT CRIMES, DRUG CRIMES, CONSPIRACY CHARGES, ECONOMIC CRIMES, VIOLATION OF PROBATION OR SUPERVISED RELEASE  CONCERNED, CARING, KNOWLEDGEABLE.  REASONABLE FEES, EXCELLENT SERVICE

Sean C. O’Halloran has lived in Fort Myers since 1973. He received his undergraduate degree from Florida State University in 1996 and graduated from Florida Coastal School of Law in 1999. After being admitted to the state bar, he worked at the State Attorney's Office prosecuting misdemeanor and felony cases. Mr. O’Halloran then spent time as a felony prosecutor in Fort Myers at the State Attorney's Office, trying cases including murder trials, firearm-related offenses, drug violations, robberies, and aggravated battery allegations. He and his legal partner Attorney Peter D. Aiken formed their joint practice, Aiken & O'Halloran, in 2003.

Scot D. Goldberg. A founding member of the firm, Scot D. Goldberg is a Fort Myers native and member of the Lee County Bar Association, the Lee County Personal Injury Association, the Florida Bar, the Federal Bar Association, the Federal Court of the Middle and Northern Districts, the Florida Justice Association (formerly known as the Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers), The American Association for Justice (formerly known as The Association of Trial Lawyers of America); the Association of Plaintiff Interstate Trucking Lawyers of America; and the Southern Trial Lawyers Association. He currently serves as counsel for the Coalition for Justice on a pro bono basis.  He is also a member of the Board of Directors of the Quality of Life Center and the Deaf Service Center of Fort Myers.  Scot is on the Executive Board of Directors for the Southwest Florida Chapter of the NAACP, and also serves as its Legal Redress Attorney.  In 2009, Scot was selected for membership in the Princeton Global Network.  He is a former member of the Zoning and Planning Advisory Committee for the City of Cape Coral.  Scot has volunteered his time for a number of years with the Moot Court Program, working with local high school students to give them opportunities to participate in mock court proceedings. He also is an authorized volunteer for Meals on Wheels.  Scot  previously served his community as a Hearing Officer for the City of Fort Myers and as an Honorary Deputy for the Lee County Sheriff’s Department. The primary focus of Scot’s law practice is in Personal Injury, Wrongful Death, Medical Malpractice, and Criminal Law cases.Scot graduated from the University of South Florida in 1991 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminology. One of his interests while attending USF was Social Science; which led to his invitation for membership in Pi Gamma Mu International Honor Society in Social Science.He then went on to Thomas M. Cooley Law School, where he received his Juris Doctor degree in 1995. He was admitted to the Florida Bar and the U. S. District Court, Middle District of Florida, in 1995. Scot began his legal career as an Assistant State Attorney with the 20th Judicial Circuit, 1995 – 1996. In conjunction with his work at the State Attorney’s Office, he received certification in Juvenile Justice and Delinquency from the U.S. Department of Justice. He later became an associate at the law firm of Goldstein, Buckley, Cechman, Rice & Purtz, P.A. Mr. Goldberg was selected for Who’s Who in American Law, 2000/2001.  In July 2000, Scot became one of the four founding members of the firm.

Our firm has extensive experience in both state and federal courts, and we are admitted to practice in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida. Whether you have been charged with a misdemeanor, a felony, or a federal crime, we will aggressively defend your case. With a former prosecutor and a board certified criminal trial expert at our firm, it is clear why we have earned a reputation for our strong trial work. Additionally, the firm takes a special interest in assisting minor clients facing juvenile charges. We firmly believe in protecting the futures' of our youth and the integrity of our community by keeping them out of the criminal system as much as possible. If you have been charged with a crime in Fort Myers, it is important that you contact a defense attorney as soon as possible following the arrest. Your rights and your future are on the line. Do not waste this opportunity to acquire skilled legal defense: call us today to schedule a case evaluation.

Originally from New York, I went to St. John's University in Queens, NY for my undergraduate degree.   From there I went on to law school at Thomas M. Cooley Law School in Lansing, MI.  After completing law school I moved back to NY and practiced there until it was time for a change.  Warmer weather was my calling, and in 2011 I made Fort Myers, FL my new home.  I started off as an Assistant Public Defender, and was able to learn invaluable lessons about client management, the law, the legal system, and many of its intricacies.  At the end of 2014 I left the Public Defender's office and joined the law firm of Brown, Suarez, Rios, & Weinberg, PA.  The firm has several offices located in Naples, Fort Myers, Punta Gorda, Sarasota and Arcadia.  We serve clients in counties all over the State of Florida including Collier, Lee, Charlotte, Desoto, Hendry, Glades, Sarasota, Manatee, Hillsborough, and many more.

My Firm, Bass, Cerino & Brizel is a true full service personalized law firm. Each of us have tried many cases in the criminal and civil courts.  We believe that preparation is the key to getting the desired result.. Joseph Cerino is a seasoned criminal defense attorney.  Practicing for 13 years in defending those accused of crimes, he has spent the last 8 of those years applying his trial experience and know-how to representing people in marital disputes.. Jay Brizel has been spending the last 12 years representing those charged with criminal offenses.  He has a reputation of tenaciously defending his clients and frequently is appointed by the Court to represent people with particularly bad facts or cases.. We are used to fighting so you do not have to.

Mrs. O'Halloran received her undergraduate bachelor's degree from the University of Florida and her law degree from Loyola University of New Orleans where she graduated magna cum laude. She was distinguished as a William L. Crowe Scholar for graduating in the top 6% of her law school class. Before beginning her career in criminal defense, she worked as a student practitioner in the Orleans Parish District Attorney's Office and then as a prosecutor in the 20th Judicial Circuit, where she prosecuted all levels of misdemeanor and felony crimes, specializing in white collar crime prosecution. She has handled cases before courts in every county in the 20th circuit.She is admitted to practice in the Florida Bar and the Federal Middle District Court of Florida. She is a member of the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, The Criminal Law Section of The Florida Bar and the American Inns of Court- Calusa Chapter. In her spare time she is an adjunct professor for Rasmussen College, teaching in their Criminal Justice Department.

Mr. Shestokas earned his B.A. in Political Science from Bradley University in 1975 and his Juris Doctor from The John Marshall Law School, cum laude, in June of 1987. In 1986-87 he served on The John Marshall Law Review. He also studied law at Trinity College in Dublin, Ireland.. Mr. Shestokas founded the Law Office of David Shestokas in November, 1987. After practicing in areas such as criminal defense, corporate law, real estate, and business financing, he later served as Assistant State’s Attorney for the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office in Chicago, IL, from 1994 to 1998, involved in over 5,000 criminal prosecutions. During that time he also worked on the Felony Review Unit, participating in police investigations and making charging decisions in over 400 felony matters. He is the senior and founding partner of the law firm of Shestokas, Raines & Malavia, with offices in Chicago, Joliet and Lemont, IL and Fort Myers, FL.. Mr. Shestokas has been admitted to practice law before the Illinois Supreme Court in 1987, the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois in 1988, the Supreme Court of Florida in 2004, and the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida in 2006. Additionally, he has participated in numerous activities and associations; for instance, he has been a member of the Lemont Law Enforcement Association (1998-2004), Lemont Public Library Trustee (1995-2004), Lemont Township Board of School Trustees (1998-1999), the Chicago Bar Association (from 1999 to the present), the Baltic Bar Association (1991 to the present), and has been a contributor to RWSCC Insider from 2005 a publication for real estate professionals. Additionally, from 2004 to 2006 he did a column entitled "Ask an Attorney" for the Joliet Herald.. Mr. Shestokas was also the Republican nominee for the United States Congress (5th District) in 1990 and a Republican candidate for the U.S. Congress (13th District) from 1997-1998. He has studied Spanish in both Cuba (2005) and Costa Rica (2006).. Additionally, he is currently writing for the online magazine Suite 101.  His articles can be found at

Michael Raheb has successfully handled hundreds of cases in the state and federal courts of Southern Florida, in both the criminal and civil arenas. He believes in aggressively attacking all aspects of the opposing side’s case to obtain the most favorable outcome for his clients. As part of this aggressive representation, Mr. Raheb makes sure each of his clients’ cases is handled personally and that they have access to his skills and counsel anytime of the day or night.. To arrange a free consultation with Mr. Raheb, please click here.. BackgroundMr. Raheb served as lead defense counsel in one of Florida’s most publicized sexual battery cases, State v. Hiatt. The victim’s case received national coverage through personal interviews with Governor Bush and a Lifetime network documentary. Several state laws were passed in the victim’s name. With an offer to the defendant of life in prison without the possibility of parole, Mr. Raheb successfully defended his client, who was acquitted in less than three hours.. Michael Raheb has also:Served as Assistant Public DefenderBeen an integral part of an appellate opinion, Young v. ShoapFiled dozens of writs of habeas corpusHandled jury trials ranging from DUI/BUI to murder and aggravated sex battery.. His educational background includes:JD—Nova Southeastern University, Davie, Florida, 1997. Summer Abroad Program University of Geneva, International Health Law, Comparative Analysis of Women’s rights. Summer Abroad Program At the Sorbonne, University of Paris: Comparative Analysis of European Union Law. Legal Intern at the Aleph Institute in Surfside, Florida, helping prison inmates with their religious rights during their incarcerationLegal Intern, Legal Society of Broward CountySemi-finalist, F. Lee Bailey Moot Court TournamentMBA—Specialization in International Business, St. Thomas University, Miami, 1994; graduated Cum Laude. BBA—Major in Management, University of Miami, 1992; President’s list, Provost’s list. Fluent in Spanish and French. Mr. Raheb is an active participant in his professional community, holding memberships with the Cape Coral Bar Association,Collier County Bar Association, Broward County Bar Association, North Dade County Bar Association, Collier County Bar Association and National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. He is also a member of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce in Lee County and volunteers as counsel/judge for Teen Court in Lee County, Florida.. Helping ClientsMr. Raheb is fully committed to his clients. If you have a legal matter you’d like to discuss—from immigration issues to criminal law matters—contact Michael Raheb today to start planning your course of action.. Awards

Michael Mummert began his legal career working at the Public Defender of the Twentieth Judicial Circuit as an Assistant Public Defender for eight years. Michael left to join Faga Law Group, PA where he was a litigation attorney focusing on criminal law, family law and civil litigation. Upon the passing of Michael's Law Partner, Antonio Faga, Michael opened Mummert & Starling, PLLC. Michael has over 15 years of criminal defense experience from misdemeanor to capital cases. Michael has completed well over 50 jury trials, including a capital jury trial, and over 50 non-jury trials. His years of experience, knowledge of the law and rules of evidence, along with his extensive trial experience makes Michael Mummert the ideal attorney for your case when you need an experience trial attorney. Michael looks forward to being able to provide his clients with a range of expertise, a quality of service unmatched by any other interdisciplinary law firm, and providing this service with compassion, diligence and professionalism.

Melissa Sherman earned her Juris Doctor from the Barry University School of Law in Orlando, where she graduated magna cum laude, and when she’s not defending clients, she’s volunteering in the Fort Myers community. She opened the Sherman Defense Law Firm in May 2021. Defense attorney Melissa Sherman has successfully represented misdemeanor and felony defendants in Fort Myers, Cape Coral, and throughout central and south Florida. As an Assistant Public Defender, Melissa Sherman has represented defendants charged with crimes that include robbery, arson, aggravated battery, drug crimes, sex crimes, theft, burglary, and driving under the influence (DUI).

Matt was born in Ferguson, Missouri, and was raised primarily in the Midwest. As the son of a single mother, Matt learned the value of a dollar from a young age. Matt attended four separate high schools, in Indiana, Missouri, Florida, and finally Illinois. In 1999, Matt began his Bachelor’s at Southern Illinois University, in Carbondale, Illinois. When he was three classes from graduating with his degree in Psychology, Matt left school in order to work at the family business in South Carolina. Matt spent ten years in South Carolina, learning the family furniture business, and helping it grow. His time in the business taught him how to be an independent self-starter, and how to meet and exceed client’s needs, but most importantly, how to be a creative problem solver.. After ten years in the furniture business, Matt decided he wanted to finish his degree and pursue other careers, but was unsure of what direction he would go. After careful consideration, Matt thought back to all those arguments won, all the times strangers would tell him he would make a good lawyer after coming up with creative solutions to customer issues. It seemed like a long-shot at the time for a man who was already 34 years old, but two and a half years later, with the support of his wife and two young children, Matt would graduate from Florida Coastal School of Law (“FCSL”) number 1 in his class of 241, Summa Cum Laude, with numerous other honors and achievements, including being named a Dean’s Scholar all semesters, receiving 6 book awards (recognizing top performance in individual classes), and an invitation into the Academic Honors Program. Matt was also a member of the FCSL Law Review, an Assistant Director of the Pro Bono Program, for which he received recognition for providing more than 75 hours of pro bono service, and a member of Phi Delta Phi Legal Honor Society.. While in Law School, Matt devoted extra time to the study of Criminal Law, completing externships at both the Public Defender’s Clinic, and the Office of the State Attorney for the 4th Judicial Circuit, as well as additional classes concerning criminal procedure and trial practice. This extra focus in the area of criminal law earned Matt an advanced certificate in criminal law.. After law school, Matt applied to 18 of the 20 Offices of the State Attorney and ultimately decided that Fort Myers was the place he wanted to begin the practice of law and raise his family. Matt spent approximately two and a half years at the Office of the State Attorney for the 20th Judicial Circuit, working cases ranging from DUI to drug trafficking, and working on specialty court dockets such as drug court and domestic violence. His time as a prosecutor taught him how to be efficient and detail-oriented, and gave him a comprehensive understanding of how local offices prosecute criminal cases.. In January 2020, Matt joined the Rios Law Group in order to continue his pursuit of justice. With a keen eye for spotting legal issues, Matt is able to apply his experience as a prosecutor in order to come up with creative solutions to the complex problems associated with criminal prosecutions.

Lee Viacava has successfully resolved thousands of cases for his clients during his 17+ years practicing law. Mr. Viacava has skillfully advocated for his clients in Southwest Florida for over 17 years. Lee uniquely tailors his representation for each individual client to best suit their needs and exclusively practices criminal defense. He takes the time to properly approach each and every case because he handles all of his own cases personally. Lee Viacava is able to consistently achieve outstanding results on behalf of his clients. Having resided in Southwest Florida since childhood, Mr. Viacava has developed extensive community ties. Lee draws upon his entire well of resources for every case in order to ensure the best possible results for his clients.. Lee Viacava graduated from the University of Florida with a B.A. in Criminal Justice. Following graduation Mr. Viacava received his Juris Doctorate from Thomas Cooley Law School in Lansing, Michigan. While in law school he received the honor of being elected to both the Moot Court Board and the Mock Trial Board. Lee Viacava was further awarded the prestigious Litigation Certificate of Achievement during his tenure at Thomas Cooley Law School. Upon graduation from law school he returned to Southwest Florida area where he was raised and began a law career focused on litigation.. The most important decision you make regarding your case will be the lawyer you choose to hire. You need an attorney on your case who is going to explore all avenues and leave no stone unturned in order to get you the best possible result. The last thing you need is a lawyer who does not want to go to trial. Lee Viacava is ready to fight on your behalf towards getting you the best possible result.

Janese Caruthers was born in Birmingham but raised and schooled in Macon, GA. She is a graduate of Furman University and Cumberland School of Law at Samford University. Ms. Caruthers won several leadership awards during both undergraduate studies and law school. Ms. Caruthers joined the Office of the Public Defender in 2007 in the Lee County Office. During 2010, she had more felony jury trials of all assistant public defenders in the 20th Judicial Circuit, including a two-week long jury trial. In 2011, Ms. Caruthers transferred to the Charlotte County Office of the Public Defender. In Charlotte County, Ms. Caruthers continued taking several cases to trial and drafted and argued the Motion to Dismiss for Facial Unconstitutionality of Florida Statute 893 on behalf of over 100 Public Defender clients in Charlotte County. Janese Caruthers joined Brown, Suarez, Rios, & Weinberg in January of 2012. Shortly after joining the firm, Ms. Caruthers’s cases were often featured on local news outlets such as Fox 4 and Wink News. Ms. Caruthers's defense of her client in a high profile murder case was featured on national and local news including Good Morning America, ESPN, Miami Herald, and the Washington Post. In addition, in April of 2013, Ms. Caruthers appeared on the nationally syndicated Dr. Phil Show to discuss her victory in a Stand Your Ground Motion where all charges were dismissed against her client. She actively writes about legal topics in her blog found at . She also lectures on various legal topics at community events in southwest Florida. Ms. Caruthers is a member of the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys, past President of the Isaac Anderson Chapter of the National Bar Association, and a past member of the Calusa Chapter of the American Inns of Court.

In May 2013, I will be serving the citizens of Lee County as legal counsel for the Lee County Tax Collector's Office.  Prior to this appointment, I was admitted to the Middle District of Florida in 2005 which allows me to handle federal cases.

I was born and raised in the Bronx, New York.  I have been living in Florida since 1985 and have been residing in Lee County since 1996.  I am married to Amy Hawthorne and we have a daughter named Cassandra who recently graduated from the University of Central Florida.. I believe in using a personal approach in my practice.  When you hire me, you get me.  I am the lawyer you will deal with.  You will not be handed off to a paralegal.. I believe in using a compassionate approach to the practice of Family and Criminal Law, with a little Bronx toughness thrown in when needed.  Put my experience to work for you.

I have had over 24 First Chair Jury trials to verdict, and over 45 trials total to date. I have fought Punishable by life charges, Minimum Mandatory Cases, and have extensive experience in Felony crimes, as well as minor crimes. I have handled over 1700 criminal cases to date. I work well with DNA cases in particular and had a PBL trial with three DNA matches found inide the victim's house, that resulted in a hung jury.. I'm a World traveler, journalist/teacher turned lawyer.

I have focused my entire career in criminal defense. I firmly believe in our Constitutional rights and passionately fight to keep those rights alive.

I have been in Southwest Florida for 27 years. I am a former Assistant State’s Attorney that achieved the rank of chief homicide arson prosecutor.  As a prosecutor, I successfully prosecuted thousands of cases.  I have been the supervising attorney on many DEA task force drug trafficking investigations.  I was lead attorney in hundreds of complex wiretap and racketeering investigations supervising law enforcement’s compliance with capture and minimization of targeted conversations.  I worked closely with DEA task force officers in writing search warrant affidavits and their subsequent execution.  As a prosecutor, I have worked with both the FBI and the Secret Service.. I received specialized training in crime scene investigations and the introduction of evidence at trial. My trial experience is extensive. I have been the lead trial attorney in over 100 criminal jury trials.  Those include homicide, manslaughter, sexual battery, racketeering, conspiracy, firearms, drug trafficking, drug sales and possessions, counterfeiting, theft and DUI. I am admitted to practice in all Florida State courts. I am also admitted to the U.S. Federal Court in the middle district Florida.

I belive in helping people. When it comes time to hire an attorney in your time of need, you need one who is caring and relentless. This is what I bring to the pracitec of Law.

I am Board Certified in Criminal Trial Law. That means I have been recognized by the Florida Bar as an expert in Criminal Trial practice. Before opening my own practice, the Law Office of Spencer Cordell, P.A., I worked for Brown, Suarez, & Rios, the largest criminal defense firm in SW Fla. Before I was a defense attorney, I worked as a prosecutor at the State Attorney's Office for the 20th Judicial Circuit.. I practice not only Criminal Defense, but also Appeals, Personal Injury, and traffic. I handle all types of Criminal cases, and have extensive experience handling DUI cases. Here's a link to an article I wrote on my blog about changes in Florida DUI laws:. Here's the link to a recent media story on a case I handled, including some courtroom footage. The case was overturned on appeal based on my motion to dismiss under Florida's 'Castle Doctrine' portion of the Stand Your Ground Law.  The court ordered a rehearing on the motion, which we won, and my client was exonerated of the charges.  He walked out of jail on a 10 year sentence!. ?S=12808115. Here's a story that I commented on regarding Florida's expanding DNA sampling:

I am a local criminal defense attorney.   In 1997, I interned for the local State Attorney's Office and learned the crippling advantages prosecutors have against defendants.  For over 20 years, I have devoted myself to representing the accused.  I truly enjoy people.  Regardless of the charges, simple DUI or the most serious felonies, I will do everything in my power to get the best result for you.. I feel strongly about the attorney/client relationship.  You should feel comfortable the attorney you hire understands your personal situation and listens to your concerns.  The faster you can put these charges behind you, the faster you can get back to a normal life.. I am a local lawyer with local knowledge in our criminal justice system.  Most of my clients are referred to me by word of mouth.  I encourage you to ask around about my reputation and call for a free consultation.

I am a graduate of the Ivy League University of Pennsylvania and Stetson University College of Law. My work background includes being an Assistant Public Defender in Polk County doing both trial and appellate work, and then I spent almost 11 years as an Assistant State Attorney in Lee County prosecuting juvenile, misdemeanor, and felony cases. These two positions gave me great introspect when I went into private practice. I am better able to assist my clients because I have been on both sides of the legal system.. At some time in our lives, we all have a need to hire an attorney to represent us in some legal matter. I can help you navigate through the legal maze and will represent you with knowledge, dedication, and compassion. Every client is treated with the respect they deserve. Your phone calls will be returned, and you will always be apprised of the status of your case. I can accomodate you on the weekend when you can't get away from work.

I am a fourth generation Floridian and have always known I wanted to be a criminal defense attorney.  I started my legal career as an Assistant Public Defender, where I handled over 1,500 cases ranging from misdemeanors to felonies.. While at the Lee County Public Defender's Office I learned that no matter the charges, everyone deserves the protections afforded under the constitution and the right to competent representation.. The experience I gained from working as an Assistant Public Defender has ever prepared me for private practice.  I will use that experience and knowledge of the local criminal justice system in aggressively defending your rights.. I am a defender of the constitution and agree with Scott Moorey that "Good People Do Get Arrested"!. Visit our website: