Expertise.com

2024

Last updated:

Best Criminal Defense Attorneys in Tallahassee

Our Recommended Top 14

We did the research for you!

  • Licensing
  • User Reviews
  • Mystery Shopping Calls

Our goal is to connect people with the best local professionals. We scored Tallahassee Criminal Defense Attorneys on more than 25 variables across five categories, and analyzed the results to give you a hand-picked list of the best.

137Reviewed

87Curated

14Top Picks

Learn about our selection process.

Providers

featured provider = Featured Provider

1030 East Lafayette Street, Tallahassee, FL 32301

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.6 (19)
Facebook
5.0 (10)

Why choose this provider?

Zelman Law Firm defends individuals facing felony and misdemeanor charges in the greater Tallahassee area. Founder Joshua Zelman has been practicing law for over 15 years and advocates for people facing various criminal charges, including those related to assault, white-collar crimes, rape, murder, kidnapping, burglary, and drug trafficking and possession. The firm also defends clients arrested for DUIs and probation violations. Joshua Zelman has won the Distinguished Service Award by the Volusia County Teen Court.

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Joshua Zelman - Founding PartnerActive21 yrs

125 North Franklin Boulevard, Tallahassee, FL 32301

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.4 (34)
Yelp
3.0 (4)

Why choose this provider?

Jansen and David, P.A. is a criminal defense firm that represents clients in Tallahassee and the surrounding areas. It has handled cases and jury trials that involved athletes, celebrity figures, and other high-profile clients. It can handle charges including domestic violence offenses, DUIs, sex crimes, weapons offenses, theft crimes, and federal crimes. Attorneys at Jansen and David, P.A. have over 50 years of combined experience, with the firm having handled over 15,000 defense cases. They have appeared on CNN, Fox News, and Court TV.

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Russell Jansen - PartnerActive37 yrs

908 Thomasville Road, Tallahassee, FL 32303

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
5.0 (5)

Why choose this provider?

The Law Office of Frederick M. Conrad is a full-service criminal defense firm working with clients in Tallahassee. Founder Frederick Conrad has successfully defended clients who were being prosecuted for felony crimes, including property, violent, sexual, and drug offenses. He also defends individuals who are facing misdemeanor charges, such as driving on a suspended license, domestic violence, and theft. Mr. Conrad has additional experience handling juvenile delinquency and probation violation cases.

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Frederick Conrad - PrincipalActive31 yrs

2019 Centre Pointe Boulevard, Tallahassee, FL 32308
WebsiteLicense: 76457

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.7 (14)
Facebook
5.0 (6)
Yelp
3.5 (3)

Why choose this provider?

Bodiford Law in Tallahassee has served residents with criminal cases for over 25 years. The attorneys have experience defending clients from charges related to DUIs, drug possession and trafficking, and white-collar crimes. They also help individuals accused of probation violations and violent felonies, including assault and murder, obtain acquittals and reduced charges. Bodiford Law offers legal assistance to individuals seeking to file appeals or get expungements for criminal charges. Attorney Joe Bodiford is a member of the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Joseph Bodiford - PrincipalActive28 yrs

908 Thomasville Road, Tallahassee, FL 32303

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.7 (21)
Facebook
5.0 (2)

Why choose this provider?

Luke Newman, the founder of Luke Newman PA, has offered criminal defense services in the Tallahassee area for over 10 years. Mr. Newman handles both felony and misdemeanor cases, such as those involving probation and traffic violations and theft crimes. He also defends individuals charged with sex crimes, including indecent exposure, child molestation, lewd conduct, rape, and sexual assault. Additionally, the firm helps convicted clients appeal the decision of the trial court. Attorney Luke Newman is a member of The Florida Bar.

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Luke Newman - PrincipalActive20 yrs

1437 Market St, Tallahassee, FL 32312
Website

Expertise.com Rating

Why choose this provider?

Sword & Shield Attorneys at Law offers solutions to the legal needs of individuals in the Tallahassee metro. It provides representation to clients accused of committing crimes and helps them defend their rights and avoid penalties. It also assists individuals seeking compensation for car accidents, product liability, wrongful death, and medical malpractice. The firm helps clients in matters involving intellectual property disputes, debt collection, civil litigation, and construction law. John Middleton, an attorney at the firm, has been practicing law since 1976.

  • DWI/DUI

517 E College Ave, Tallahassee, FL 32301

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.8 (17)
Avvo
5.0 (7)
Facebook
4.2 (5)

Why choose this provider?

Willard Law Firm is a criminal defense practice that helps the Tallahassee community. The firm's head attorney, Matthew R. Willard, manages criminal law cases that involve underage alcohol possession, aggravated assault, and identity theft. Since he has more than 20 years of experience in the practice, he is able to develop comprehensive legal plans for criminal defendants facing government investigations and prosecutions. Willard is also a veteran who currently serves as a mentor coordinator for Leon County Veterans Treatment Court.

  • Drug Crimes
  • DWI/DUI

2344 Hansen Ln, Tallahassee, FL 32301

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Facebook
4.7 (24)
Google
4.5 (20)
Avvo
4.4 (7)

Why choose this provider?

The Law Offices of Craig J. Brown, P.A., defends the citizens of Tallahassee, including athletes and minors who have been accused of engaging in criminal activities. The firm develops strategies to contend allegations involving theft, fraud, domestic violence, and firearm-related offenses. Its attorney also represents individuals facing probation violations, detainees seeking to file motions for bond reductions, and people pursuing criminal record expungements. The legal practice was founded by Craig Brown in 2005. Brown utilizes online research and investigation techniques for the cases he handles.

  • DWI/DUI

2022 Raymond Diehl Rd #1, Tallahassee, FL 32308

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Avvo
4.8 (33)
Google
4.6 (20)
Yelp
1.0 (1)

Why choose this provider?

The Michael Ufferman Law Firm, P.A., represents Tallahassee individuals in criminal defense proceedings. As a Florida Bar-certified criminal appellate lawyer, Ufferman specializes in state and federal criminal appeals and federal postconviction motions. He handles criminal cases involving murder, sexual battery, robbery, DUI manslaughter, and juvenile crimes. In 2015, he served as president of the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. In addition, he was a member of The Florida Bar Appellate Court Rules Committee from 2007-2013.

  • DWI/DUI
  • Juvenile Crimes

The Tallahassee Alliance Center, 113 S Monroe St 1st Floor, Tallahassee, FL 32301

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Facebook
5.0 (3)

Why choose this provider?

Junnier Law, P.A., handles legal cases throughout the Tallahassee metro and the surrounding areas. It represents individuals facing criminal charges, estate planning matters, and corporate law disputes. It also provides legal assistance to clients who wish to resolve their family law cases and create medical directives, durable powers of attorney, and guardianship agreements to protect their families and assets. Founder Richard Junnier served as an attorney for the Innocence Project of Florida. He also handles pro-bono advocacies involving the Big Bend Mental Health Coalition.

  • Federal Crime

1437 Market St, Tallahassee, FL 32312
Website

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.7 (27)

Why choose this provider?

Sword & Shield, Attorneys at Law, addresses the needs of individuals and families in Tallahassee and its surrounding areas. It offers legal consultation and representation to clients charged with committing a crime. Its team provides the accused with continuous weekly updates on their case. The firm represents clients in DUI, car accidents, wrongful death, product liability, workers' compensation, and medical malpractice cases. John Middleton, an attorney at the firm, has more than 45 years of law experience.

  • Expungement

911 E Park Avenue, Tallahassee, FL 32301

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Avvo
5.0 (8)
Facebook
5.0 (7)
Google
5.0 (6)

Why choose this provider?

Lanasa Law Firm assists individuals in Tallahassee with criminal defense cases. It takes on criminal law matters, such as drug possession, probation violation, theft, and property damage, and helps clients obtain case dismissal. Luke Lanasa, the founding lawyer, is a former prosecutor who has handled thousands of felony and misdemeanor cases at the trial, appellate, and post-conviction levels. He graduated cum laude from law school in 2009 and is a member of the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.

  • DWI/DUI

517 East College Ave., Tallahassee, FL 32301

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
5.0 (13)

Why choose this provider?

Richard Smith serves the legal needs of clients in Tallahassee. He fights for the rights of individuals dealing with various types of criminal cases, including DUI, sex, and white-collar crimes. The lawyer personally investigates and helps offenders form defense strategies to settle and avoid serious penalties. Smith also provides legal counsel and representation to plaintiffs suffering from accident injuries. He has been practicing law for three decades. He is a member of the Florida Association of CRM Defense Lawyers.

  • DWI/DUI

521 North Adams Street, Tallahassee, FL 32301

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.4 (46)
Avvo
5.0 (42)

Why choose this provider?

The Law Offices of Anabelle Dias, P.A., protects the legal rights of Tallahassee residents who have been arrested or charged with various crimes. It handles criminal defense cases related to drunk driving, drug offenses, and homicide. Anabelle Dias, the firm's founder, has handled over 1,000 cases and speaks French, Spanish, and Portuguese. She leverages her experience living in several countries to provide legal assistance to people of various backgrounds. Dias has been representing clients throughout the state of Florida since 1999.

  • DWI/DUI

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Anabelle Dias - PrincipalActive25 yrs

Disclaimer:  Consumers utilizing Expertise.com are free to communicate and contract with any lawyer they choose. Expertise.com is not involved in the confidential attorney-client relationship. Featured lawyers pay a reasonable advertising cost to market their legal services with Expertise.com and must meet similar selection criteria as other lawyers. All cases are different. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

FAQs

  • What is the non-emergency contact number for the local police station in Tallahassee, Florida?

    (850) 891-4200 is the non-emergency contact number of the Tallahassee Police Department.

  • How long does a felony charge stay on your record in Tallahassee?

    If you are convicted of a felony in Tallahassee, the felony will likely stay on your criminal record permanently. However, if you are only charged with a felony and never convicted, you can get your criminal record in Tallahassee sealed or expunged by submitting an application to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement for a Certificate of Eligibility. A criminal defense attorney in Tallahassee can also help you to reduce your felony charges.

  • How long does a misdemeanor charge remain on your record in Tallahassee?

    If you are convicted of a misdemeanor in Tallahassee, the charge will likely remain on your criminal record for your entire life. However, you can get your misdemeanor charge removed from your criminal record, if you are not found guilty or never convicted, by getting your record expunged or sealed. One of the benefits of sealing and expunging your record is preventing employers and colleges from finding out about your criminal history.

  • What is the statute of limitations for crimes in Tallahassee?

    According to Florida's criminal law, the statute of limitations in Tallahassee is generally four years for first-degree felonies, three years for second and third-degree felonies, two years for first-degree misdemeanors, and one year for second-degree misdemeanors. Capital and life felonies, as well as felonies that result in a victim's death, have no statute of limitations in Florida.

  • What are the most common types of crimes committed in Tallahassee?

    The most common types of crimes committed in Tallahassee are property crimes, robberies, and grand theft, according to data collected by the Federal Bureau of Investigations. According to a report by the Tallahassee Police Department, there were a total of 125 shootings in the city in 2022 alone, along with 96 shooting victims and 22 homicides.

  • What happens when you tamper with evidence in Tallahassee?

    A person who is charged and convicted of tampering with evidence in Tallahassee may go to prison for up to five years or get subjected to a maximum fine of up to $5,000. Tampering with evidence means that a person intentionally destroys, hides, falsifies, or alters evidence with the aim to interfere with law enforcement investigations.