None of us are perfect.
We all make mistakes, and people caught up in the criminal justice system are no better or worse than anyone else.
I know this because I was arrested for a felony charge when I was 18 years old. I felt wrongfully accused of the charge based on the facts and circumstances and I was able to fight it successfully, but it opened my eyes to the unfair tendencies of our justice system.
To put it simply: the “presumption of innocence” promised in the Constitution is more of a myth than a reality.
And that realization is what led me to the field of law – to help other people fight the system that I myself had been put through.
My case taught me that when people are arrested – regular people who have made a mistake, or even who have been falsely accused – they are often presumed guilty by the State.
Just months after my case finished, I started at Florida State University with a newfound interest in law and crime.
I majored in criminology and social science, and as graduation approached, I knew that law school was the best way to put these passions into a career.
Because of my arrest as a teenager, I had to jump through a number of hoops with the Florida Bar to convince them I was worthy of membership. Even though I passed the bar the first time I took it, I was conditionally admitted to practice law because the Florida Bar still held into question my character and fitness all because of my charge from when I was 18 years old. A year later, I was finally fully admitted to practice law.
I started my career at the Public Defender’s Office and seeing the cases that came through the PD’s office reminded me so much of my own journey. It quickly became clear that criminal defense was the best way to stand up to this unjust system.
In September of 2018, I founded my own criminal defense firm right here in Pinellas County, where I was born and raised, to help members of my community defend their rights the same way I was able to defend mine.
I’ve never been a prosecutor and never will be – and I take pride in the fact that I can say I’ve never sought a conviction or asked for jail time on a single criminal case.
Instead, I’ve dedicated my life to looking past what people have been accused of or what they’ve been charged with.
The proudest moment of my career was the first time I heard a verdict of “not guilty” in felony court. My relationships with my clients are based on trust: the client trusting me to do my best to defend them, and me trusting my client to hold onto hope and work with me toward the ultimate goal: their freedom.
I feel incredibly lucky to have Jenna Fletcher as my partner not only at the firm, but at home, as well.
Being able to unwind at the end of the day after we’ve put our boys to bed and discuss cases, our goals, and life is an invaluable time that I wouldn’t give up for anything.
Our shared belief in forgiveness is the key to offering true dedication to our clients so that they can continue leading a happy and meaningful life.
Education
Florida Coastal School of Law, 2010
J.D.
Florida State University, 2006
B.S. Criminology
Memberships
Florida Bar
Maine Bar
St. Petersburg Bar Association
Pinellas Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
Florida Justice Association
