Top best Criminal Defense Lawyers Near me in ZIP 34237

I am an Attorney at The Byrd Law Firm where I practice Criminal Defense and Family Law.  I was born and raised on Long Island in New York and came to Florida to pursue a college degree at Stetson University.. While studying at Stetson I became intrigued with law, so after I graduated I pursued a law degree at Nova Southeastern University Law School.   At law school I interned at the Broward County State Attorney’s office, and it was there that I realized the injustices and indignities that are suffered by people accused of committing crimes.. After graduating from Law School I worked for over 3 years at the Public Defenders’ Office in Sarasota, where I defended well over a 1000 individuals accused of crimes. I tried many cases including some of the most serious felonies.. In 2008, I started working at the Byrd Law Firm, where I now practice Criminal  Defense and Family law in Sarasota and Manatee County.  I defend all types of criminal case with a large focus on DUIs and Juvenile crimes.. In 2009 I became one of the first attorneys in Sarasota and Manatee Counties to receive a Certificate of Achievement for completing the Breath Test Operator Course which is required of all licensed Breath Test Operators in the State of Florida.  I have also volunteered as a Judge for Teen Court of Sarasota, a diversion program aimed at helping juveniles with their self-esteem, motivation, and self improvement, and in turn prevent any future criminal behavior.. In my family law practice, I focus on all divorce related matters, including but not limited to, child support, alimony, timesharing, equitable distribution and attorney's fees, as well as paternity issues, and Injunctions involving violence.. I aggressively represent all my clients and diligently protect their best interest.. If you would like to speak about your legal matter, please give me a call at.

I am a fourth generation native Floridian.  My undergraduate degree is in accounting from the University of South Carolina.( a gamecock).  After graduation, I served in the United States Treasury Department as a special Agent with the Intelligence Division.  I recieved special training in Washington DC in basic law enforcement techniques including interrogation, surveillance, photography, forensics, photography, wiretapping and basic criminal investigation.  I understand how law enforcement thinks.. I recieved additional training in Income Tax Law, especially the criminal statutes.  I worked in the Miami office investigating organized crime, general tax crimes and on occasions was detailed for special security work.. While working as an agent, I obtained a law degree from the University of Miami.  I then transferred to Atlanta Georgia and worked for a year as an analyst for the Regional Commisioner of Intelligence.  I returned to South Florida in 1971 and joined the United States Attorneys Office where I prosecuted all types of Federal crimes, particuarly white collar crime and tax evasion.  I appeared before numerous grand juries and prosecuted successfully numermous federal crimes.. In 1974 I joined the law firm of Cohen and Hogan on South Beach.  It was probably one of the top criminal firms in Florida.  While there I had the occasion to meet and advise a number of high profile defendants including Jimmy Hoffa.. In 1974 I moved to Ft. Lauderdale where I continued to represent high profile clients from the labor unions including the Operating Engineers.  I defended rackateering and gambling cases many of which included tax charges.  In the late 1970's my practice included repesentation of major drug smugglers from within the United States, the Bahamas and Columbia.  As my reputation grew, my practice expanded and I traveled extensively across the United States defending complex Federal cases in Los Angeles, New York, Ohio, Michigan, Mississippi, Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina.. During that time I defended literally every type of criminal case for drug conspiracies, money laundering, securities fraud, wire and mail fraud, high seas violations, wildlife crimes and bribery.  I represented many of the judges who came under investigation in Miami and my clientel has included everything from Gangsters to the Clergy.  I have seen it all.. In 2002 I expanded my practice to include the West Coast of Florida and formed a partnership with a local attorney in Ft. Myers by the name of Sean O'Halloran.  He was a former prosecutor in Lee and Charlotte County and my Federal experience and his State experience formed the perfect team.  In 2011, I moved to Sarasota where I manage the Aiken and O'Halloran Sarasota office.  My emphasis in the last three years has been in defending sex crimes, particularly Federal Internet crimes.  I have represented defendants in the television series "to Catch a Predator" as well as the last two "Operations Intercept" in Sarasota.  I now travel throughout Florida representing people charged in both State and Federal Court.

Derek Byrd is Board Certified in Criminal Trial Law by the Florida Bar.  Less than 2% of attorneys in Florida are Board Certified.  Derek Byrd was born and raised in the Sarasota/Bradenton area. He grew up watching his father defend high profile criminal cases in the old Sarasota County Courthouse. Derek’s father’s legal skills and the excitement surrounding the legal system inspired Derek to become a criminal defense attorney. He graduated from Florida State University in 1990 with a B. A. in Criminology and went on to earn his Juris Doctorate Degree in 1995 from Quinnipiac College of Law in Hamden, Connecticut graduating cum laude (top 5% of his class). While in law school, Derek concentrated his studies on criminal and trial law and he served as Notes and Comments Editor for the Law Review Journal.. SARASOTA’S CRIMINAL DEFENSE / DUI ATTORNEY. After being admitted to the Florida Bar in early 1996, Derek went to work for the Public Defender’s Office in Sarasota, where he gained extensive and valuable trial experience. He opened The Byrd Law Firm in 1998. Derek is Board Certified in Criminal Defense and has been since 2004. He is a Past President of the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers Statewide Chapter which has close to 2,000 members. Derek also served as the President of the Sarasota Chapter of the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers from 1999 – 2001. Additionally, he is a Past President of the Sarasota County Bar. Derek also served as Chairperson of the local Florida Bar Grievance Committee. In 2019, he was awarded the Jim Slater Professionalism Award for outstanding professionalism in the 12th Judicial Circuit of Florida. Notably, Derek is also on the Board of Directors of the Innocence Project of Florida, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping innocent prisoners in Florida gain their freedom and rebuild their lives. Additionally, he is the President-Elect of the Judge John M. Scheb American Inn of Court. He is licensed in all State Courts and the Federal Court, Middle District of Florida. Derek has written articles for the Defender magazine and spoken at FACDL seminars. He is a Life Member of FACDL, a member of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL), the American Bar Association, the Florida Bar-Criminal Law section, and the Sarasota County Bar Association. Derek’s wife, Heather, has not only been his partner in life for over 20 years, she is also his Partner at The Byrd Law Firm, and her practice is concentrated solely on family law. They have raised two wonderful young men together.

Experienced Criminal Defense attorney serving clients in Sarasota and surrounding areas.

Experienced Criminal Defense attorney serving clients in Sarasota and surrounding areas.

Experienced Criminal Defense attorney serving clients in Sarasota and surrounding areas.

Experienced Criminal Defense attorney serving clients in Sarasota and surrounding areas.

Experienced Criminal Defense attorney serving clients in Sarasota and surrounding areas.

Experienced Criminal Defense attorney serving clients in Sarasota and surrounding areas.

Experienced Criminal Defense attorney serving clients in Sarasota and surrounding areas.

Experienced Criminal Defense attorney serving clients in Sarasota and surrounding areas.

Experienced Criminal Defense attorney serving clients in Sarasota and surrounding areas.

Experienced Criminal Defense attorney serving clients in Sarasota and surrounding areas.

Experienced Criminal Defense attorney serving clients in Sarasota and surrounding areas.

Experienced Criminal Defense attorney serving clients in Sarasota and surrounding areas.