Best St. Johns County Criminal Lawyers

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The Best St. Johns County Criminal Lawyers

So you got yourself into some legal trouble in St. Johns County, Florida? Don’t worry, you’re not alone. Lots of good folks end up needing a good criminal defense attorney at some point in their lives. The important thing is to find the right lawyer for your specific situation. There’s a bunch of great attorneys in the St. Johns County area, but how do you know which one is the best fit for you?Well, I’ve put together this little guide to walk you through everything you need to know about finding the best criminal lawyer for your needs. I’m gonna talk about what makes a good criminal attorney, things to look out for when choosing one, and give you the scoop on some of the top-rated criminal defense lawyers in St. Johns County.

What Makes a Good Criminal Lawyer

When you’re facing criminal charges, you need someone who will fight tooth and nail for you. You need an attorney who knows the ins and outs of Florida criminal law and the local court system. But more than that, you need someone you can trust and who will treat you like a human being, not just another case file.Here’s a few key qualities to look for in a great criminal defense lawyer:

Experience – You want someone who’s been practicing criminal law for a long time, knows how things work in St. Johns County courts, and has a proven track record of positive case results. Look for 10+ years experience.
Knowledge – They should be up-to-date on changes to FL criminal statutes, sentencing guidelines, and local court procedures. You want someone fluent in all aspects of state and county criminal law.
Courtroom Skills – Having great negotiation skills, confidence speaking in court, and the ability to argue persuasively before a judge and jury are must-haves.
Resources – The top attorneys have teams of legal assistants, investigators, and other professionals to build the strongest case for their clients.
Reputation – Check reviews and talk to people in the local legal community. An attorney with a good reputation for ethics and results is key.
Communication – Look for a lawyer who listens to you, answers all your questions clearly, and keeps you informed throughout the legal process.
Affordability – Their fees should be fair and they should offer payment plans. The best lawyers work with clients at various income levels.

Warning Signs of a Bad Criminal Lawyer

I want to warn you about some red flags to watch out for as you evaluate potential attorneys. Steer clear of anyone who:

Makes unrealistic promises or guarantees certain case outcomes. Avoid attorneys who say they can get your charges dismissed or reduced 100% of the time. No one can guarantee results.
Pressures you to plead guilty or pay high, nonrefundable fees upfront. A good lawyer lets you make the final call on legal strategy and offers fair, flexible fee options.
Doesn’t return calls or emails promptly. Lack of communication is a huge warning sign. You need an attorney who’s responsive.
Doesn’t ask questions or listen to your side of the story. Run away from lawyers who don’t take time to understand your case.
Has no clear legal strategy. Make sure they explain their approach to fighting your charges and have a plan for building your defense.
Lacks experience handling your type of criminal case. You want someone who regularly deals with charges like yours.
Has a bad reputation with clients and peers. Check reviews and talk to people to get the real scoop.
Pushes you to take a plea deal or doesn’t explore alternatives. The best lawyers thoroughly examine all options.
Has disciplinary complaints against them with the state bar association. Look this up for any lawyer you consider hiring.

Okay, now that you know what to look for in a great criminal defense attorney, let’s talk about some of the top lawyers in St. Johns County and what they bring to the table.

Top Criminal Defense Lawyers in St. Johns County

There’s a bunch of skilled criminal lawyers to choose from in the St. Johns County area. Based on experience, reputation, results, and client reviews, here’s my picks for some of the best around:

Musca Law

Location: St. Augustine, FL
Focus: DUI, drug crimes, theft, violent crimes
Highlight: Founding attorney John Musca has over 20 years experience and was voted one of the Top 100 Trial Lawyers by the National Trial Lawyers Association. He and his team know how to craft strong defense strategies for tough cases.
Contact: https://www.muscalaw.com/ or (904) 819-5959

Aaron Delgado & Associates

Location: Multiple offices across Northeast FL including St. Augustine
Focus: DUI, drug crimes, domestic violence, sex crimes, theft
Highlight: With a great track record and affordable payment plans, this firm stands out for their compassionate approach and commitment to keeping clients informed.
Contact: https://dui-staugustine.com/ or (904) 675-6545

The Mussallem Law Firm

Location: St. Augustine, FL
Focus: DUI, domestic violence, drugs, juvenile crimes, theft, violent felonies
Highlight: Founding attorney Mike Mussallem is a former prosecutor who now uses his insider knowledge to build strong defenses for his clients. Known for his tenacity and courtroom skills.
Contact: https://www.mussallemfirm.com/ or (904) 365-5755

Douglas Law Firm

Location: St. Augustine, FL
Focus: DUI, domestic violence, drugs, sex crimes, violent felonies
Highlight: Attorney J. Kevin Douglas has over 25 years criminal defense experience and serves as an instructor for DUI defense seminars. Clients rave about his legal knowledge and compassion.
Contact: http://www.douglaslaw.net/ or (904) 814-3499

Westbrook Law Firm

Location: St. Augustine, FL
Focus: DUI, drugs, domestic violence, juvenile crimes, theft
Highlight: Attorney Jacob Westbrook takes time to explain legal options and provides very responsive, personalized service. Great results on DUI cases. Payment plans available.
Contact: https://westbrookfirm.com/ or (904) 599-3311

Dreicer Law Firm

Location: St. Augustine, FL
Focus: DUI, drug crimes, domestic violence, juvenile crimes, theft
Highlight: Founding attorney Jesse Dreicer offers free case evaluations and affordable payment plans. Known for getting charges reduced or dismissed. Very knowledgeable in FL criminal law.
Contact: https://www.dreicerlawfirm.com/ or (904) 814-3429

Anthony J. Timis, P.A.

Location: St. Augustine, FL
Focus: DUI, drug crimes, domestic violence, juvenile crimes
Highlight: Attorney Anthony Timis takes time to understand clients and provide very personalized service. Excellent at negotiating with prosecutors for reduced or dropped charges.
Contact: https://timislaw.com/ or (904) 819-7020

Laforest Law Firm

Location: St. Augustine, FL
Focus: DUI, drugs, domestic violence, theft, sex crimes, violent felonies
Highlight: Attorney Adriana Laforest is praised for her responsiveness, legal knowledge, and compassion. Known for getting great results on tough cases. Payment plans available.
Contact: https://www.laforestlaw.com/ or (904) 814-3429

Chase Law Firm

Location: St. Augustine, FL
Focus: DUI, drugs, theft, juvenile crimes, violent felonies
Highlight: Benjamin Chase puts his trial experience and negotiation skills to work getting charges reduced or dismissed. Excellent at exposing flaws in the prosecution’s case. Offers fair pricing.
Contact: https://www.chasefirm.com/ or (904) 679-3122

Albaugh Law Firm

Location: St. Augustine, FL
Focus: DUI, drugs, domestic violence, theft, juvenile crimes
Highlight: Compassionate legal team praised for keeping clients fully informed and prepared every step. Founding attorney Gregg Albaugh has 30+ years criminal defense experience. Offers payment plans.
Contact: https://albaughlaw.com/ or (904) 540-0882

Finding the Right Fit

I gave you the run-down on some of the top criminal defense firms in St. Johns County, but there’s lots of other great options out there too. Don’t just take my word for it – do your research.

Check Avvo.com and other sites with lawyer reviews and ratings.
Ask family, friends, or colleagues if they have referrals.
Search state bar association records for complaints.
Schedule free consultations with a few lawyers before deciding.

Make sure to find someone who makes you feel comfortable, listens to your needs, explains things clearly, and has a good track record with cases like yours. Rates and fees will vary, so ask upfront about what they charge and if they offer payment plans.The most important thing is finding a criminal lawyer you connect with and who will fight passionately to get you the best possible outcome. So do your homework, trust your gut instinct, and don’t settle on someone unless you feel good about them.The stakes are high when you’re facing criminal charges, but the right attorney can make all the difference. I hope this guide gives you a good starting point for finding a great St. Johns County criminal lawyer who is the perfect fit for you! Let me know if you have any other questions.

Citations:

Albaugh Law Firm. Retrieved from https://google.com/maps/?ll=29.863078500000004%2C-81.2974299&q=best+st+johns+county+criminal+lawyers+article&z=20

Saint Johns County Criminal Lawyers | Compare Top Rated Florida Attorneys – Justia. Retrieved from https://www.justia.com/lawyers/criminal-law/florida/saint-johns-county

Best Saint Augustine, FL Criminal Defense Attorneys | Super Lawyers. Retrieved from https://attorneys.superlawyers.com/criminal-defense/florida/saint-augustine/

Top Criminal Defense Lawyers in Saint Johns County, FL | FindLaw. Retrieved from https://lawyers.findlaw.com/lawyer/firm/criminal-law/saint-johns-county/florida

Top Rated Saint Johns County, FL Criminal defense Lawyers – Avvo. Retrieved from https://www.avvo.com/criminal-defense-lawyer/fl/saint_johns_county.mobile?sort=least_experience