1. Monroe Law, P.A.
Practice Focus: Criminal defense, DUI/DWI defense, drug crimes, violent crimes, domestic violence, sex crimes, theft crimes, white collar crimes
Case Types Handled: Felonies, misdemeanors, DUI/DWI, drug possession and trafficking, assault and battery, domestic violence, robbery, burglary, theft, sex crimes, weapons charges, probation violations
Legal Services: Trial defense, motion practice, plea negotiations, bail hearings, appeals, expungements, record sealing, probation violation defense
Background: D. Scott Monroe, Esq. is a former prosecutor who worked for the Duval County State Attorney’s Office on DUI cases before transitioning to criminal defense. He has received the Elite Advocate Award from the American Academy of Legal Advocates for two consecutive years. He founded the distinguished Law Firm of Monroe & King, P.A. (formerly Scott Monroe Law, P.A.), which received recognition from the American Institute of Criminal Law Attorneys for six consecutive years (2017-2023). In 2023, he opened Monroe Law, P.A. The firm has been selected for Super Lawyers since 2020 and has received Avvo Client Choice recognition since 2016.
Location: Jacksonville, Florida (Duval County)
Contact: (904) 569-0088 | https://www.monroelaw.com
Consultation: Available around the clock
2. Janet E. Johnson, P.A.
Practice Focus: DUI/DWI defense, criminal defense, domestic violence, drug crimes, sex crimes, theft crimes
Case Types Handled: Felonies, misdemeanors, DUI/DWI, drug offenses, domestic violence, assault, theft, sex crimes, traffic violations, weapons charges
Legal Services: Trial defense, motion practice, plea negotiations, investigation, evidence review, appeals, expungements
Background: Janet E. Johnson has nearly 30 years of experience practicing criminal defense law in Jacksonville. She has been featured on national news outlets including FOX News, the New York Post, NewsNation, CNN, and ABC News, providing legal commentary on criminal law matters. She has provided analysis on high-profile cases including the 2024 trial of Donald Trump. Her practice emphasizes DUI defense and domestic violence defense. She maintains a reputation for frank communication with clients about their cases and potential outcomes.
Location: Jacksonville, Florida (Duval County)
Contact: (904) 820-3455 | https://www.janetejohnsonlaw.com
Consultation: Free consultation available
3. The Law Office of Richard Landes
Practice Focus: Criminal defense, drug crimes, sex crimes, financial crimes, federal criminal defense, violent crimes
Case Types Handled: Felonies, misdemeanors, federal crimes, heroin and cocaine charges, marijuana possession, internet sex crimes, financial crimes, DUI, violent crimes, conspiracy, federal drug charges
Legal Services: Trial defense, federal court representation, motion practice, investigation, witness interviews, plea negotiations, appeals
Background: Richard Landes is a Jacksonville criminal defense attorney with experience in both state and federal court, including the U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida. He has successfully defended clients in complex federal criminal cases. He obtained a not guilty verdict for Amanda Guthrie, who was acquitted of aggravated manslaughter of a child, manslaughter, shooting or throwing deadly missiles, and armed possession of marijuana. He serves clients throughout Northeast Florida, including Duval County, St. Johns County, Clay County, Baker County, and Nassau County.
Location: Jacksonville and Jacksonville Beach, Florida
Contact: (904) 343-4556 | https://www.landeslaw.com
Consultation: Consultation available (direct contact with attorney)
4. Shafer Law, P.A.
Practice Focus: Criminal defense, DUI/DWI defense, drug crimes, domestic violence, weapons crimes, white collar crimes, assault and battery
Case Types Handled: Felonies, misdemeanors, DUI/DWI, drug crimes, domestic violence, driver’s license suspensions, assault and battery, weapons crimes, white collar crimes
Legal Services: Trial defense, bond reduction hearings, house arrest petitions, motion practice, plea negotiations, evidence review, expungements
Background: Shafer Law, P.A. concentrates exclusively on criminal defense in Duval, Nassau, Clay, and St. Johns Counties, as well as counties throughout Florida. The firm emphasizes thorough understanding of Florida’s criminal justice system and focuses on protecting defendant rights throughout the legal process. The firm provides representation from initial arrest through trial and appeals.
Location: Jacksonville, Florida
Contact: https://www.shafercriminallaw.com
Consultation: Free consultation available
5. First Coast Criminal Defense
Practice Focus: Criminal defense, white collar crimes, drug crimes, violent crimes, sex crimes, theft crimes
Case Types Handled: Felonies, misdemeanors, federal crimes, white collar crimes, drug offenses, violent crimes, sex crimes, theft, robbery, burglary
Legal Services: Trial defense in state and federal court, investigation, motion practice, plea negotiations, evidence analysis, appeals
Background: The firm is led by an attorney with experience representing high-profile clients in complex white-collar prosecutions throughout the Southeast. The attorneys have extensive trial experience in both state and federal courts. The firm emphasizes quality over quantity, taking a limited number of cases to provide individualized attention. The attorneys conduct thorough investigation of every case and develop tailored defense strategies based on the specific facts and circumstances.
Location: Jacksonville, Florida (Duval County)
Contact: https://www.jaxcriminal.com
Consultation: Consultation available
Criminal Defense Regulations in Florida
Florida requires attorneys to pass the Florida Bar Examination and meet character and fitness requirements before admission. The Florida Bar regulates attorney conduct and discipline under the supervision of the Florida Supreme Court.
The Florida Bar Board of Legal Specialization offers certification in multiple criminal law specialty areas: Criminal Trial Law and Criminal Appellate Law. To become board certified, an attorney must demonstrate substantial involvement in the specialty area for at least five years, complete peer review, fulfill continuing legal education requirements, and pass a written examination. Board certified attorneys may identify themselves as “Board Certified Specialist” in their certified area.
Florida operates an elected public defender system, with public defenders serving each of the state’s 20 judicial circuits. The Public Defender of the Fourth Judicial Circuit serves Duval, Clay, and Nassau Counties. To qualify for a public defender, a defendant’s income must be equal to or less than 200% of the federal poverty guidelines, or the defendant must demonstrate that paying for private counsel would cause substantial hardship. The application fee for public defender services is $50. In misdemeanor and criminal traffic cases, if the court enters an “order of no imprisonment,” the court is not required to appoint a public defender.
Florida felonies are classified as: Capital Felony (death penalty or life imprisonment without parole), Life Felony (life imprisonment with minimum mandatory terms), First Degree Felony (up to 30 years), Second Degree Felony (up to 15 years), and Third Degree Felony (up to 5 years). Florida misdemeanors are classified as First Degree (up to 1 year) and Second Degree (up to 60 days). Florida retains the death penalty, and capital cases require specially qualified counsel.
Attorney advertising in Florida is governed by Chapter 4 of the Rules Regulating The Florida Bar. Attorneys may not make false or misleading statements about their services or qualifications.
Florida expungement (sealing) of criminal records is available under Florida Statute 943.0585. Eligibility depends on the outcome of the case and the specific offense. Records may be sealed if adjudication was withheld or charges were dismissed. Certain offenses, including violent crimes, sex offenses, and offenses against children, are not eligible for sealing. A defendant may generally only seal or expunge records one time under Florida law.
Florida has mandatory minimum sentencing provisions for various offenses, including certain drug trafficking offenses and offenses committed with firearms (the 10-20-Life law). Florida’s habitual offender statutes provide enhanced penalties for repeat offenders.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: What happens after I am arrested in Duval County, Florida?
A1: After an arrest in Duval County, you will be transported to the John E. Goode Pre-Trial Detention Facility (Jacksonville jail) for booking and processing. You will appear before a judge for a first appearance hearing within 24 hours of arrest. At this hearing, the judge will inform you of the charges, set bail or bond, and determine if there is probable cause for your arrest. If you cannot afford an attorney, you may request appointment of the Public Defender at this hearing, subject to an indigency determination. For felony cases, the State Attorney’s Office will file formal charges (Information) or present the case to a grand jury for indictment within 21 days if you remain in custody.
Q2: What are the DUI penalties in Florida for a first offense?
A2: A first-time DUI in Florida with a blood alcohol level (BAC) of 0.08 to 0.15 is a misdemeanor. Penalties include up to six months in jail (up to nine months if BAC was 0.15 or higher or a minor was in the vehicle), fines of $500 to $1,000 ($1,000 to $2,000 if BAC was 0.15 or higher), license revocation for 180 days to one year, 50 hours of community service, completion of a DUI substance abuse course, and possible impoundment of the vehicle for 10 days. A first DUI conviction also results in a permanent criminal record. Florida has implied consent laws, meaning refusal to submit to breath, blood, or urine testing results in automatic license suspension of one year for a first refusal and 18 months for subsequent refusals.
Q3: Does Duval County have any diversion programs for criminal defendants?
A3: Yes, the Fourth Judicial Circuit (Duval, Clay, and Nassau Counties) offers several diversion and specialty court programs. The State Attorney’s Office operates a Pretrial Intervention Program (PTI) for certain first-time offenders charged with non-violent felonies and misdemeanors. Successful completion results in dismissal of charges. Duval County also has specialty courts including Drug Court, Mental Health Court, Veterans Treatment Court, and Felony Drug Court that provide treatment-based alternatives to incarceration. Eligibility depends on the offense, criminal history, and other factors. An attorney can help determine whether you qualify for these programs.
Q4: Can I get my criminal record sealed or expunged in Florida?
A4: Florida allows sealing and expungement of certain criminal records under Florida Statutes 943.0585 and 943.059. To be eligible for sealing, adjudication must have been withheld (you were not formally convicted). To be eligible for expungement, charges must have been dismissed, you must have been acquitted, or the record must have already been sealed for at least 10 years. You must not have any prior sealing or expungement, must not have been convicted of any other criminal offense (excluding traffic violations), and must not have charges pending. Certain offenses are never eligible, including violent felonies, sex offenses, and offenses against children. The process involves obtaining a Certificate of Eligibility from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and petitioning the court. An attorney can evaluate your eligibility and guide you through the process.
Q5: What should I do if I am stopped by police in Jacksonville and they want to search my vehicle?
A5: If police stop you in Jacksonville and request to search your vehicle, you have the right to refuse consent to a search. Clearly and politely state that you do not consent to a search. However, police may still search your vehicle without your consent if they have probable cause to believe it contains evidence of a crime, you are arrested and the search is incident to that arrest, or they observe evidence or contraband in plain view. You cannot physically resist a search, even if you believe it is unlawful. If you believe your rights were violated, remain calm, comply with officer instructions, and contact a criminal defense attorney as soon as possible. Evidence obtained from an unlawful search may be subject to a motion to suppress in court.