Top Criminal Defense Lawyers Near Me in Daytona Beach Area

Ruddledge "Ruddy" Smith is an  attorney in the criminal defense and family law practice group at Smith Bigman Brock. He graduated from Florida State University with a Bachelor of Science in Finance in 2008. While pursuing his undergraduate degree, he was a member of the Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity. In 2011, Mr. Smith graduated from Florida Coastal School of Law earning his Juris Doctorate. After law school, he interned with the Office of the State Attorney in the Seventh Judicial Circuit and then worked as an assistant state attorney for two and one-half years. Ruddy handled cases that included DUI, DUI Manslaughter, Misdemeanor and Felony Drug offenses, Theft, Robbery, Fraud cases, burglary, along with an asortment of all other misdemanor and felony offenses. Mr. Smith has lived in the Volusia County, Florida, area all of his life. His ties to the community, and Smith Bigman Brock, run the span of his life. Mr. Smith is the son of founding partner, Horace Smith, Jr.

Robert Stepniak earned his law degree at South Texas College of Law. He spent over a decade in the U.S. Army and ended with the military career as a Captain. He has been practicing law for over fifteen years, including at large law firms in Florida. But in the last several years, Mr. Stepniak turned his efforts to starting his own practice, where he is able to dedicate more of his personal attention to each client. Mr. Stepniak is committed to making sure that each client receives customized solutions and responsive advocacy to their legal needs.

National Merit Scholar, Northwestern Law graduate, former felony prosecutor.. I grew up in South Bend, Indiana and travelled to sunny Gainesville, Florida for undergrad, where I majored in Finance and minored in Entrepreneurship.  After college, I went back home to work in the family business as a custom home builder and residential developer for four years.  In 2010, I decided to heed my calling to the law and attended the Northwestern Univeristy School of Law, where I concentrated in Litigation and Alternative Dispute Resolution and represented the law school in the Midwestern regional negotiations competition, placing third in the entire Midwest.  I was a summer associate at two prestigious law firms, and I externed with two different judges while in law school.. After law school I accepted a position as a litigation associate at Foley & Lardner in Tampa, Florida.  After two years and while expecting our second child, my wife and I decided to move closer to family and I accepted a position at the State Attorney's Office as a prosecutor.  As a prosecutor I had a 90% success rate at trial, and ended my career on the State side of criminal law as a felony prosecutor.  It was at that time that I joined Delgado & Romanik, where I now spend my time defending the rights of my clients.

Ms. Jarosz first exhibited an interest in law when she enrolled in Daytona State College’s paralegal program. After obtaining her Associate Degree in Legal Assisting, Ms. Jarosz worked part-time as a paralegal and furthered her education by obtaining a Bachelor of Arts in Organizational Management.  She continued her education at St. Thomas University School of Law, where she obtained her J.D.  During law school, Ms. Jarosz became a member of the Law Review; received two book awards and eventually graduated at the top of her class.. Ms. Jarosz began her legal career as an Assistant State Attorney in Daytona Beach, where she prosecuted misdemeanor and felony offenders, eventually being assigned to the Career Criminal Unit where she prosecuted prison releasee reoffenders and habitual offenders. She prosecuted and tried hundreds of cases, a number of which gained the media’s attention.. After serving the community as a prosecutor for over 6 years, Ms. Jarosz went into private practice, initially concentrating on family law matters, including divorce, paternity, child custody and support, modifications, and injunctions.  Having extensive experience in criminal matters, Ms. Jarosz recently added criminal defense to her areas of practice.

Mr. Buckmaster was born in Fort Wayne, Indiana. He moved to Florida in 1988. He attended the University of Florida and received a Bachelor's of Arts in Political Science. Mr. Buckmaster went on to obtain his law degree from the University of Florida, Levin College of Law.. Mr. Buckmaster began his legal career as an Assistant State Attorney in the 19th Judicial Circuit of Florida in Fort Pierce, Florida. While there, he prosecuted thousands of criminal cases in both county and circuit court. After leaving the State Attorney’s office, he joined a private criminal defense firm where he spent two years representing hundreds of individuals charged with crimes in State and Federal Courts.. Mr. Buckmaster later moved his family to Daytona Beach and returned to the State Attorney's Office in the felony division of the 7th Judicial Circuit of Florida.. Mr. Buckmaster is admitted to the Florida Bar, and is licensed to practice in front of the United States District Court for the Middle District and Southern Districts of Florida and the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit.. It is Mr. Buckmaster's goal to counsel and passionately represent his clients and help guide them through the justice system.

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 Rice Law, Mr. Bonamo was a federal prosecutor for the United States Attorney’s Office, Middle District of Florida. He also worked as a state prosecutor, serving eight and one half years as an Assistant State Attorney for the State Attorney’s Office, Seventh Judicial Circuit. During his tenure with the State Attorney’s Office, Mr. Bonamo handled and tried all types of criminal matters, including homicides, career criminal prosecution and complex white-collar/fraud cases. He served as a Supervising Attorney in the Felony Trial Division for several years. While a state prosecutor, he was also an Adjunct Professor at Daytona Beach Community College teaching in the areas of criminal and constitutional law.. Mr. Bonamo is Board Certified as a Criminal Trial Lawyer by the Florida Bar. Mr. Bonamo is trained in Collaborative Law for Marital and Family Law cases. Mr. Bonamo is a member of The Collaborative Family Group of Central Florida and also a member of the Florida Association of Collaborative Professionals. He is admitted to practice in all Florida courts and in 2000 was admitted to the United States District Court, Middle District of Florida. He has obtained membership to practice before the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals, seated in Atlanta, Georgia. He is a former member of the Florida Bar’s Code and Rules of Evidence Committee, 2004-2007. He is a member of the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. Mr. Bonamo previously served as a mentor for law school students in Florida through The Florida Bar’s E-Mentor Program. He is a current member of the Family Law Section of the Florida Bar. He is a former board member for the Volusia County Bar Association from 2004-2007. From 2007-2008, he was Treasurer of the Volusia County Bar Association, from 2008-2009 was President Elect and 2009-2010, President of the Volusia County Bar Association. He is President of the Volusia County Bar Association Foundation, 2010-2011.. He is a member of the Flagler County Bar Association. He is a member of the Seventh Judicial Circuit of Florida Pro Bono Steering Committee. He is a former Barrister Member of the Dunn-Blount Inns of Court. Mr. Bonamo is a member of the Federal Bar Association-Orlando Chapter and from 2006-2009, Board of Director for the Bert Fish Medical Center Foundation. He is a graduate of the 2005 Leadership Class for the Southeast Volusia Chamber of Commerce as well as a member of their Board of Directors from 2006 to 2009. Mr. Bonamo also served on the scholarship review committee for New Smyrna Beach CAPS (Community and Alumni Providing Scholarships) for New Smyrna High School from 2006 through 2009. He is a member of the Florida Bar Speakers Bureau.

John Hager has had over a decade of experience representing clients in the Miami area with their criminal defense related matters. If you are living in the Miami area and been convicted of a crime such as burglary, DUI, assault, or any other criminal law related matter, contact Miami criminal defense attorney John Hager today at . He may be able to represent your case.

In addition to an active and agressive private practice, Mr. Holt teaches at the local college, competes as a triathlete, and helps raise money and supports the Volusia Surf Lifesaving Association.

I'm a native Floridian.  In 1994, I graduated from the University of Florida with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science.  In 1997, I graduated from the University of Florida College of Law with a Juris Doctor.  While in law school, I represented family law clients as a certified legal intern at the Virgil Hawkins Civil Clinic.  I was awarded the Book Award for my litigation efforts.  The Book Award is awarded to the highest achiever in the course.  In 1998, I began working for the Office of the State Attorney in Flagler County, Florida.  In 1999, I was awarded the Top Gun Award for Outstanding Trial Attorney. During my tenure as a prosecutor, I handled thousands of cases in the areas of misdemeanor, juvenile, domestic violence, DUI, sexual batteries, drug possession, drug trafficking, and felonies.  I had in excess of fifty jury, and nonjury trials. In 2003, I left the State Attorney's Office to open my own practice where I have been representing clients since.  I have been a licensed title agent with Old Republic Title. I have been a licensed Mortgage Broker.  I was admitted to Federal District Court for the Middle District of Florida.  I am admitted to all state courts.  I have represented clients in Family Law, Criminal Defense, Estate Planning, Probate, Real Estate, Personal Injury, and General Civil Litigation.  Let my experience work for you.

I have handled thousands of cases.  Put my knowledge, experience and dedication to work for you.  As your attorney, I will aggressively fight for the results you want and need.

I have always wanted to be a lawyer. Not just any lawyer. I wanted to be a lawyer that could be the voice of those who were voiceless. I wanted to stand up for those who didn’t know how to stand up for themselves. As a child I remember getting in the most trouble because I always spoke out against anything that I did not agree with or when someone was being mistreated. My desire is that everyone would be treated the same way no matter the walks of life they come from. One of my favorite quotes is by the late civil rights leader, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., “injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.”. I was born and raised in DeLand, Florida. I grew up in a faith based home with parents who encouraged me to use the passion and gift of speaking that God gave me to do great things. I decided in 7th grade that I was going to go to Florida A&M University and become a criminal defense attorney. With much determination I did just that. I graduated from FAMU in just three years majoring in Philosophy with minor in Political Science. I continued towards my dreams and attended Florida A&M University College of Law in Orlando, where I obtained my J.D. Shortly after I was admitted to the bar, I decided to go straight to work and started my own small firm, L.L. James Legal Services. Although I was small, I helped whoever came to me for legal representation and advice. All I wanted was to get to work and see my dreams become reality. During such time, I began to be mentored by Judge Hubert Grimes and Judge James Clayton in Volusia County.. In 2014, I decided to make a difference by working on the other side, so I accepted a position with the State Attorney’s Office of the 7th Judicial Circuit. I started as an Assistant State Attorney in the Misdemeanor Division in Daytona Beach and was then transferred to Misdemeanor Division in DeLand. I subsequently ended up in Felony Division where I prosecuted several types of criminal cases including, DUI, Battery, Fleeing & Elude, Aggravated Assault, Burglary, and drug offenses. As a prosecutor, I was responsible for prosecuting in all stages from filing of charges to trial. But even as a prosecutor I maintained my stance of being a voice to the voiceless by being sure to treat everyone fairly and with respect while representing the State of Florida.. My dreams of dedicating my skills, knowledge and position to serving the community and establishing a career in criminal defense has began in my current position with Damore, Delgado & Romanik. I am excited and determined to use this position to continue to serve the community by providing outstanding legal services with my own style and voice.. When I am not practicing law, I enjoy vacationing with my husband and son, spending time with my big family, participating in church activities, playing tennis, scrapbooking, and event planning.

I graduated cum laude from the University of Florida Levin College of Law, Gainesville, Fl with awards in Tort Law and Advanced Appellate Advocacy.  Before law school, I attended New College of Florida where I studied Economics.. I grew up overseas my entire life - I lived in Thailand, Egypt, and throughout Africa and South America, ultimately graduating from highschool in Cairo, Egypt.  This par to of my background makes me really appreciate the freedoms we enjoy as United States citizens because I have seen, first hand, countries where there is no rule of law, where martial law reigns and where there is no such thing as human rights or the 4th Amendment.. I consider defending citizens accused of crimes to be a great honor and the promise I make every client is that I will fight as hard as I can, every time, to protect the liberties that our forefathers secured for us with their blood and sweat.. When I am not fighting for my clients in and out of Court, I practice Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. I am a black belt under Master Roberto "cyborg" Abreu.. I want to go on record as saying that does not, in my opinion, fairly and accurately evaluate attorneys nor does it provide customers with valid comparisons, if such comparisons could ever be valid.  I urge all consumers to fully research all attorneys and to write or call for more information about a firm or an attorney's qualifications or experience.

Growing up the son of a Circuit Court Judge in Tampa  was an invaluable life experience most attorneys can only dream of before they start their career.  My dad brought me to work with him over the years, allowing me to see firsthand how trial attorneys fought for their clients in the trenches of the courtroom. I knew from a young age I wanted to be a trial attorney.  I also knew from a young age I wanted to practice law in Florida. It is my home. I went to Jesuit high School in Tampa and in 1991 graduated from the University of Tampa, my dad's alma mater. Wanting to experience what it was like in other parts of the country, I decided to go to law school in Oklahoma.  I moved to Oklahoma in 1992 and enrolled at the University of Tulsa, graduating from the College of Law in 1995. While living in Tulsa I worked part time and full time jobs throughout my law school career.  I delivered pizzas for Dominos Pizza Incorporated, worked as a substitute school teacher in the Tulsa public school district and installed brakes for Midas Mufflers.  All of those jobs and the friends I made throughout college helped mold me into the attorney I am today.  I loved Oklahoma but Florida was always calling me home. After graduating from Law School I moved back to Florida. I decided to move to Daytona Beach. I had worked  in Daytona Beach as a deputy clerk of the courts for a year in 1992 before attending Law School. I met all of the Judges and most lawyers at the time so Daytona Beach seemed like a logical place to begin my career.. In 1996 I started working with my law partner Dave Damore. Most criminal attorneys start their career working for the government either as an assistant state attorney or public defender. I wanted to go into private practice right from the beginning so that's what I did. I have been doing so ever since.  In 2008 Dave Damore and I combined our firm with Matt Romanik and Aaron Delgado. As they say the rest is history. Over the years I have represented thousands of criminal clients.  I have handled every kind of criminal case possible from first degree murder to white collar RICO cases.. In January of 2017 I left my partnership at my old firm and started a new firm in Deland, The Law Office of Robert Rawlins. My firm is locacated in beautiful downtown Deland, Fl. I continue to specialize in Criminal Law as well as occasionally other areas of Law.   I have been happily married for 18 years and have two beautiful daughters that are my life. I love to hunt and fish and spend time with my children in the outdoors.  I am an avid professional and college sports fan.  I love the Atlanta Braves. My family is heavily involved  with the Girl Scouts of America.. I am a member of the Volusia and Orange County Bar Associations, as well as both the National and Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.. If you have a case, or need help involving an issue,  please contact my firm. I promise I will do whatever it takes to help you with your problems no matter the issue.  No case is too big or too small.. If there is anything  I can do to help you please do not hesitate to call me to discuss your problem.

Greg Wagner was born and raised in Daytona Beach. Educated at the University of Florida and Gonzaga Law School where he graduated in 1981. First entered law with his fathers firm, Wagner and 1982 Mr. Wagner operated his own practice as a trial attorney,specializing in personal injury and criminal . Wagner handles cases in Volusia and Flagler visit his website at .

Brooklyn, NY born, and Daytona Beach raised, Serena is a seasoned litigator who has practiced law in Florida since 2006. Serena began her legal career prosecuting criminal cases as an Assistant State Attorney for the Seventh Judicial Circuit before going on to represent the best interest of Florida’s abused, neglected, and abandoned children as a Senior Guardian ad Litem Attorney in Volusia County. Serena then focused on practicing Family Law for several years, representing clients in dissolution of marriage, paternity, modification, and injunction for protection actions before joining the Family Law Practice Group at the Rice Law Firm.. Serena earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from Stetson University and her Juris Doctorate from the University of Florida Levin College of Law, where she was a teaching assistant in Legal Research and Writing and Appellate Advocacy.

Born and raised in Florida, and licensed to practice law since 1998, I am a skilled attorney with significant trial experience and an excellent bedside manner.  I believe that everyone charged with a crime deserves a vigorous defense & I work to make sure each of my clients understands the legal process, and that they understand their choices before they make any decisions regarding their case.. Having achieved successful careers in both criminal defense and athleitcs administration, the competitor in me understands that sometimes it takes extra effort to get the results I want.  I am proud to say I have never shied away from that effort in defense of my clients.. Apart from being an accomplished attorney, I am also a father of four & grandfather of one.  When I'm not working, you may find me working local football games as an on-field official or serving as a volunteer coach for my youngest daughter's basketball team.  If you do, please say hello.  You never know when you may need a good attorney.

As a former prosecutor with over 35 years of trial experience, I take great pride in providing the best possible service for all my clients.  When you have questions, you will meet and speak with me personally and you will remain fully informed about the progress of your case.. Whether you have been injured in an accident or accused of a criminal offense, Sam Masters Legal will aggressively fight for your legal rights and ensure that you and your loved ones receive the results to which you are entitled by law.. Call Sam Masters Legal today. " Protecting Your Rights. Protecting Your Future."

A native of Buffalo, NY, Mr. Leising attended West Virginia University where he obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science. He continued his education at Stetson University College of Law where he obtained his J.D., Less than a month after graduation from Law School, he began his career as an Assistant State Attorney here in Volusia County.
Starting in the Misdemeanor Division, Mr. Leising rapidly progressed through the office, ultimately becoming a supervisor in the Felony Division where he was responsible for the supervision and training of newly promoted attorneys as well as the handling of high profile cases.
During his nearly 8 years as a prosecutor Mr. Leising handled virtually every type of criminal case including, Drug Offenses, White Collar Crimes, DUI Manslaughter, Traffic Homicides and Attempted Murder. He was responsible for all stages of the prosecution from the filing of charges through Jury Trial.
Due to his extensive experience, Mr. Leising has also given numerous lectures to local Law Enforcement and Statewide Agencies in such areas as Report Writing, Gambling, Gang Investigations, Elderly Abuse/Exploitation and Preparing to Testify in Court.
Mr. Leising joined the Whited Firm in 2010.