Criminal Lawyer in Jacksonville, FL
Preferred Florida Defense Attorneys
When you’ve been arrested, accused, or are under investigation for a criminal matter, you must trust a firm that will handle your case with nonjudgmental and compassionate representation. We proudly serve clients throughout Duval, St. Johns, Nassau, Putnam, and Clay Counties, as well as in Jacksonville Beach and Atlantic Beach, taking each case seriously.
Call our Jacksonville lawyers right away if you are facing any of the following criminal charges:
Contact our trusted criminal defense lawyer in Jacksonville at (904) 615-8950 to schedule a confidential consultation.
Now Is Not the Time to Take a Risk or Go in Alone.
From the moment you are arrested, you are vulnerable to being stuck with serious consequences, whether or not you actually committed the crime in question.
The painful consequences of criminal charges and accusations vary based on the crime, but generally include:
- Thousands of dollars in fines
- Years in jail or prison
- Job loss
- Reduced employment opportunities
- Loss of professional licenses
- Threats to your parental rights or status as a custodial parent
- Losing your immigration status
- Increased insurance premiums (for DUI and traffic violations)
These are just a few of the consequences you could face if you are charged with and convicted of a crime. You can’t afford to go alone, and you can’t afford not to get in touch with a Jacksonville criminal defense attorney immediately.
Having a skilled legal advocate early in the process can make a difference in how your case is investigated, what evidence is presented, and what options are available to you in court. A local criminal attorney who regularly appears in Duval County court, at the Duval County Jail first appearance hearings, and in nearby St. Johns and Clay County courts will understand how prosecutors typically handle different charges and what alternatives may be available to resolve your case.
Why Choose Us?
Our lead attorney, Kate Mesic, is a former prosecutor who has tried many cases. She has been in the local legal community for decades and is familiar with various judges and prosecutors. We know how the system works and can provide you with a realistic assessment of the case and how to proceed.
Our criminal defense lawyers in Jacksonville aim to provide excellent customer service, which is why we provide thorough, timely communication. If you call us and we miss your call, we will return your call the same day.
Because we take a hands-on approach to every file, we carefully review police reports, body camera footage, and any available witness statements before advising you on your options. As a Jacksonville criminal defense lawyer team that knows the local procedures in the Duval County Courthouse and surrounding county courthouses, we can walk you through what to expect at arraignment, pretrial conferences, and any hearings so that you are never surprised by the process.
What To Expect in Your Criminal Case
When you first contact our office, we begin by gathering basic information about your charges, your background, and where your case is pending, such as the Duval County Courthouse or the county courthouse in Clay or Nassau County. We then review any paperwork you received, including the arrest report and court date notice, so we can explain the immediate next steps and important deadlines. Our goal is to replace uncertainty with a clear plan so you understand how a criminal defense attorney Jacksonville residents trust will guide you from the first appearance through potential resolution.
As your case moves forward, we will investigate the facts, request discovery from the State Attorney’s Office, and evaluate whether there are legal issues that could support a motion to suppress evidence or reduce the charges. We keep you informed about plea offers, diversion or rehabilitation programs, and the possible consequences of going to trial so that you can make informed choices at every stage. Throughout this process, we remain focused on your long-term future in Jacksonville and the surrounding communities, not just the short-term outcome of a single court date.
-
Get Started TodayThe sooner you contact us, the sooner we can start your defense. -
Case ResultsRead through our victories and see the cases that we've handled.
Client Testimonials
-
"Traffic Ticket"She and her office staff were super helpful and everything was handled in a timely manner.- Tosha
-
"Words cannot adequately express my gratitude for Kate and her team."I am eternally grateful for her professional expertise and I recommend her and her team unequivocally.- Peri-Anne
-
"I could not be more satisfied with the outcome."I consulted & hired Kate to handle a traffic violation and she was able to get the issue resolved in a timely manner. I highly recommend Kate. The first consultation was free and she explained what needed to happen. She set the right expectations and proceeded to represent me in court and got the case dropped. I Could not be more satisfied with the outcome and I'm happy I relied on reviews just like this to hire her! I highly recommend Kate and her staff as they will make sure to communicate in a timely manner and follow up on your case.- Former Client
-
"If anyone can accomplish the best case scenario for someone seeking legal services, it is her. I highly recommend Ms. Kate Mesic."Kate Mesic is a highly skilled, industrious expert attorney who works hard for her clients. After a referral, I called her and explained my situation, asking her opinion about how to proceed. She listened attentively and was professionally sympathetic while also clearly laying out the options for me. When my husband and I decided to hire her, we quickly learned that she was always at the top of her game, immediately responsive to our needs, and was clear and committed in her decision-making. Ms. Mesic is a pro at handling tough situations and difficult individuals. She dealt easily with our opposing party, smoothly sailing through the challenges he presented. What I found particularly compelling about working with Ms. Mesic was her honest, straightforward approach. She clearly has a fine-tuned knowledge about the workings of the law, and when I asked her advice she would be straightforward with me about potential outcomes. She certainly could have proceeded in ways that would have drawn out the proceedings and ultimately cost us more, but instead she was frank and open about where we should compromise. I appreciated this and believe it resulted in the best possible results in our situation. Ms. Kate Mesic’s expertise and legal ability were evident throughout our time working with her. She is a consummate professional with a hard driving work ethic, and immediately knows how to respond to any legal obstacle in her path. If anyone can accomplish the best case scenario for someone seeking legal services, it is her. I highly recommend Ms. Kate Mesic.- Jennifer
-
"Great lawyer"Great service and very professional.- Ashley
-
"Kate is one of a kind! Her ethics, drive, expertise and support was impressive and reassuring to both my son and myself."While my adult son was in town over the Christmas holiday, he was pulled over for driving without his headlights on after dark. (The Valet parking at his hotel had turned them off of auto.) He had consumed a few drinks over the course of the evening and the police officer asked him to do the breathalyzer test. When my son refused, he was taken to jail. I received a call from my daughter-in-law, early the next morning. I called Kate, as I had met her a few times and was impressed by her work ethic, knowledge of the law, professionalism and "humanness" . She was at home at the time of my call, but pulled up the arrest report etc. She told me what time the hearing before the judge was to be that afternoon and said she would meet me at the building where the hearing was to be. (Did I mention this was a Saturday morning?) By the time I arrived, Kate had already spoken to my son, collecting information necessary as she went along. When the judge entered his Chambers, Kate approached him immediately, asking that he hear my son's case first, for reasons that she had already informed us of. Already, I'm impressed, but it only got better. Because Kate is so motivated to help her clients, is extremely intelligent, and has extensive knowledge and understanding of the law and the system's processes, she proactively met with the Prosecutor and was able to get the charges reduced to a lesser charge. This resulted in a SIGNIFICANTLY better outcome for my son. Kate went above and beyond what she was paid to do, in many ways. One of which was letting my son know, in no uncertain terms, the seriousness of this matter and exactly what he needed to do to follow the exact rules of the law. She let him know exactly what the consequences would be, should he not. She kept in touch with my son the whole step of the way; consulting, counseling and yes, checking, to make sure he stayed on track with dates and responsibilities. Yes, Kate is one of a kind! Her ethics, drive, expertise and support was impressive and reassuring to both my son and myself. She is No. 1 in Northeast Florida, as far as we are concerned. I am confident if we have the opportunity to work with this wonderful attorney again, it will under different circumstances, but the end results will be the same.- Cynthia
-
"I am extremely happy with the outcome & will always recommend her to people."I found Kate through a friend who had used her in the past. As the alleged "victim" of a criminal case, she took my requests very seriously and helped ensure I got the outcome I wanted vs. what the state wanted to happen. She understood my concerns and protected me in the court from being asked any questions. She had everything dismissed and resolved in less than a week. I am extremely happy with the outcome and will always recommend her to people.- Former Client
-
"Excellent service, no hassle, very nice."
Excellent service, no hassle, very nice. Everything you would want. I was very pleased.
Thanks so much!
- James H
What Sets Our Firm Apart
-
Excellent Communication & Updates
-
Understanding of the Courts & Common Tactics
-
Knowledgeable & Comprehensive Legal Advocacy
-
A Legacy of Positive Outcomes for Our Clients
-
A Wide Range of Professional Legal Experience
-
Commitment to Ensuring You Are Treated Fairly