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Criminal Defense

Top-Ranked Criminal Defense Lawyers in Florida

Updated Methodology LexRank v1.225 lawyers rankedReviewed by LexRanked editorial team

Summary

As of November 1, 2026, the top-ranked criminal defense lawyers in Florida are Benedict P Kuehne (LexRank 92.00), Mark Matthew O’Mara (88.00) and Ira David Karmelin (88.00).

This ranking lists the top 25 of the 93 criminal defense lawyers LexRanked tracks across Florida, in order of their LexRank score, calculated from their Florida Bar records and other cited sources. All 25 lawyers in this ranking are Board Certified in Criminal Trial Law by The Florida Bar, a credential held by 4.9% of Florida lawyers in any field. They practice in 14 cities, led by Orlando.

Lawyers ranked
25
Fully verified
25 of 25

The ranking

Ordered by organic LexRank score; paid placements are labelled and never affect a position. How we rank

  1. No change

    Benedict P Kuehne

    Kuehne Davis Law, P.A. · Miami, FL

    Verified
    • 49 years experience
    • Criminal Defense
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #1?

    Ranks #1 with 92.00: strongest in Reputation (12/20) and Experience (30/30).

    Strongest

    • Reputation 12/20 (ranking avg 4.2)
    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 25.9)
  2. No change

    Mark Matthew O’Mara

    Independent practice · Orlando, FL

    Verified
    • 43 years experience
    • Criminal Defense
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #2?

    Ranks #2 with 88.00: strongest in Reputation (8/20) and Experience (30/30). 4.00 points behind #1, mostly reputation.

    Strongest

    • Reputation 8/20 (ranking avg 4.2)
    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 25.9)

    4.00 points behind #1 (Benedict P Kuehne): Reputation −4.

  3. No change

    Ira David Karmelin

    Independent practice · Kissimmee, FL

    Verified
    • 34 years experience
    • Criminal Defense
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #3?

    Ranks #3 with 88.00: strongest in Reputation (8/20) and Experience (30/30).

    Strongest

    • Reputation 8/20 (ranking avg 4.2)
    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 25.9)
  4. No change

    Bryant Raymond Camareno

    Independent practice · Tampa, FL

    Verified
    • 31 years experience
    • Criminal Defense
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #4?

    Ranks #4 with 84.00: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Data quality (10/10); held back by Reputation (4/20). 4.00 points behind #3, mostly reputation.

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 25.9)
    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.6)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4.2)

    4.00 points behind #3 (Ira David Karmelin): Reputation −4.

  5. No change

    Ruth Mercedes Martinez

    Independent practice · Fort Lauderdale, FL

    Verified
    • 37 years experience
    • Criminal Defense
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #5?

    Ranks #5 with 84.00: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Data quality (10/10); held back by Reputation (4/20).

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 25.9)
    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.6)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4.2)
  6. No change

    Steven Raisman

    Independent practice · Fort Lauderdale, FL

    Verified
    • 29 years experience
    • Criminal Defense
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #6?

    Ranks #6 with 84.00: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Data quality (10/10); held back by Reputation (4/20).

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 25.9)
    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.6)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4.2)
  7. No change

    Robert G Amsel

    Independent practice · Miami, FL

    Verified
    • 43 years experience
    • Criminal Defense
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #7?

    Ranks #7 with 84.00: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Data quality (10/10); held back by Reputation (4/20).

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 25.9)
    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.6)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4.2)
  8. No change

    Vincent Albert Citro

    Losey PLLC · Orlando, FL

    Verified
    • 25 years experience
    • Criminal Defense
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #8?

    Ranks #8 with 84.00: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Data quality (10/10); held back by Reputation (4/20).

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 25.9)
    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.6)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4.2)
  9. No change

    Roseanne Eckert

    Independent practice · Orlando, FL

    Verified
    • 30 years experience
    • Criminal Defense
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #9?

    Ranks #9 with 84.00: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Data quality (10/10); held back by Reputation (4/20).

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 25.9)
    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.6)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4.2)
  10. No change

    Richard Earl Hornsby

    Independent practice · Orlando, FL

    Verified
    • 25 years experience
    • Criminal Defense
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #10?

    Ranks #10 with 84.00: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Data quality (10/10); held back by Reputation (4/20).

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 25.9)
    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.6)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4.2)
  11. No change

    Adam Lloyd Pollack

    Independent practice · Orlando, FL

    Verified
    • 30 years experience
    • Criminal Defense
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #11?

    Ranks #11 with 84.00: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Data quality (10/10); held back by Reputation (4/20).

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 25.9)
    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.6)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4.2)
  12. No change

    Michael P Maddux

    Independent practice · Tampa, FL

    Verified
    • 34 years experience
    • Criminal Defense
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #12?

    Ranks #12 with 84.00: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Data quality (10/10); held back by Reputation (4/20).

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 25.9)
    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.6)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4.2)
  13. No change

    Andrew Barrett Shein

    The Law Offices of Andrew Shein, P.A. · Tampa, FL

    Verified
    • 28 years experience
    • Criminal Defense
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #13?

    Ranks #13 with 84.00: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Data quality (10/10); held back by Reputation (4/20).

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 25.9)
    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.6)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4.2)
  14. No change

    Paul Marx Sisco

    Independent practice · Tampa, FL

    Verified
    • 33 years experience
    • Criminal Defense
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #14?

    Ranks #14 with 84.00: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Data quality (10/10); held back by Reputation (4/20).

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 25.9)
    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.6)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4.2)
  15. No change

    Andrew Matthew Coffey

    Independent practice · Fort Lauderdale, FL

    Verified
    • 30 years experience
    • Criminal Defense
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #15?

    Ranks #15 with 84.00: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Data quality (10/10); held back by Reputation (4/20).

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 25.9)
    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.6)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4.2)
  16. No change

    Valentin Rodriguez Jr. “VAL”

    Independent practice · West Palm Beach, FL

    Verified
    • 31 years experience
    • Criminal Defense
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #16?

    Ranks #16 with 84.00: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Data quality (10/10); held back by Reputation (4/20).

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 25.9)
    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.6)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4.2)
  17. No change

    Bjorn Erik Brunvand

    Independent practice · Clearwater, FL

    Verified
    • 36 years experience
    • Criminal Defense
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #17?

    Ranks #17 with 84.00: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Data quality (10/10); held back by Reputation (4/20).

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 25.9)
    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.6)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4.2)
  18. No change

    Keith F Szachacz

    Funk, Szachacz & Diamond, LLC · Melbourne, FL

    Verified
    • 33 years experience
    • Criminal Defense
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #18?

    Ranks #18 with 84.00: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Data quality (10/10); held back by Reputation (4/20).

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 25.9)
    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.6)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4.2)
  19. No change

    Karen Jean Tufte “Karen”

    Independent practice · Fort Pierce, FL

    Verified
    • 32 years experience
    • Criminal Defense
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #19?

    Ranks #19 with 84.00: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Data quality (10/10); held back by Reputation (4/20).

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 25.9)
    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.6)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4.2)
  20. No change

    Jeffrey Mark Harris “jeff”

    Independent practice · Sunrise, FL

    Verified
    • 51 years experience
    • Criminal Defense
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #20?

    Ranks #20 with 84.00: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Data quality (10/10); held back by Reputation (4/20).

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 25.9)
    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.6)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4.2)
  21. No change

    Simon Patrick Dray “Pat”

    Independent practice · North Miami, FL

    Verified
    • 27 years experience
    • Criminal Defense
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #21?

    Ranks #21 with 84.00: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Data quality (10/10); held back by Reputation (4/20).

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 25.9)
    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.6)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4.2)
  22. No change

    David Gerhardt Mengers

    Independent practice · Ocala, FL

    Verified
    • 40 years experience
    • Criminal Defense
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #22?

    Ranks #22 with 84.00: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Data quality (10/10); held back by Reputation (4/20).

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 25.9)
    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.6)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4.2)
  23. No change

    Steven Brian Bartlett “Steve”

    Independent practice · New Port Richey, FL

    Verified
    • 32 years experience
    • Criminal Defense
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #23?

    Ranks #23 with 84.00: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Data quality (10/10); held back by Reputation (4/20).

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 25.9)
    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.6)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4.2)
  24. No change

    Ethan Andrew Way

    Independent practice · Tallahassee, FL

    Verified
    • 28 years experience
    • Criminal Defense
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #24?

    Ranks #24 with 84.00: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Data quality (10/10); held back by Reputation (4/20).

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 25.9)
    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.6)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4.2)
  25. No change

    Ian Jeremy Goldstein

    Independent practice · West Palm Beach, FL

    Verified
    • 30 years experience
    • Criminal Defense
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #25?

    Ranks #25 with 84.00: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Data quality (10/10); held back by Reputation (4/20).

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 25.9)
    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.6)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4.2)

Data sources behind the scores

Every score on this page is calculated from facts backed by these sources. Each profile shows which source supports which fact and when it was last checked.

  • floridabar.org · Official / regulatory · 21 profile pages255 facts for 21 lawyers

Criminal Defense market in Florida

LexRanked tracks 93 lawyers and 6 law firms in criminal defense law in Florida. 93 of the lawyers have verified professional data. Data verified October 30, 2026.

Lawyers
93
Law firms
6
Verified professional data
93 of 93
Average rating
Withheldtoo few sourced ratings
Median review count
Withheldtoo few sourced counts
Median experience
29 years93 lawyers

Calculated by LexRanked from its own records on ; data verified . Ratings and review counts count only when backed by a source; figures from fewer than three profiles are withheld. All lawyers in Florida

What sets these Florida criminal defense lawyers apart

All 25 lawyers in this ranking are Board Certified in Criminal Trial Law by The Florida Bar, which only about one in twenty Florida lawyers achieves in any field. The figures come from each lawyer's Florida Bar profile, checked in November 2026.

Fact about the 25 ranked lawyers Figure
Board Certified in Criminal Trial Law 25 of 25
Years in practice 25 to 51 (median 32)
Languages besides English Spanish (7), French (1), Norwegian (1)
License status with The Florida Bar Eligible to practice, verified for every lawyer

Where do Florida's top criminal defense lawyers practice?

5 of the 25 practice in Orlando; the table shows every city.

City Lawyers in this ranking
Orlando 5
Tampa 4
Fort Lauderdale 3
Miami 2
West Palm Beach 2
Clearwater 1
Fort Pierce 1
Kissimmee 1
Melbourne 1
New Port Richey 1
North Miami 1
Ocala 1
Sunrise 1
Tallahassee 1

Who is included in this ranking?

Lawyers eligible to practice in Florida, with an office in a Florida city we cover and criminal defense as a practice area on record. It ranks every criminal defense lawyer LexRanked tracks in Florida by the same score and shows the top 25. How we rank.

Find a criminal defense lawyer in your city

A lawyer near you knows the local courts; each city has its own ranking of criminal defense lawyers.

Florida rules to know

Florida sets deadlines for charging a crime, and anyone who cannot afford a lawyer is entitled to a public defender.

Rule What it means
Time limit to prosecute a first-degree felony 4 years after the offense (Fla. Stat. § 775.15)
Other felonies 3 years (§ 775.15)
First-degree misdemeanor 2 years (§ 775.15)
Second-degree misdemeanor 1 year (§ 775.15)
No time limit Capital and life felonies and felonies resulting in death (§ 775.15)

Cases are heard in the county where they arise; see which judicial circuit covers each county.

How to choose among these lawyers

Confirm the license, prefer a lawyer who regularly works in your county, ask who will handle your matter, and get the fee terms in writing.

  1. Look up the lawyer in The Florida Bar's directory and check the bar number shown on their LexRanked profile.
  2. Ask how many matters like yours the lawyer has handled in your county recently.
  3. Ask how they charge and what costs are extra, and get the agreement in writing.

Further reading

Sources for the rules above

Frequently asked questions

How long does Florida have to charge a crime?

Generally 4 years for a first-degree felony, 3 years for other felonies, 2 years for a first-degree misdemeanor and 1 year for a second-degree misdemeanor. Capital and life felonies and felonies resulting in death have no time limit.

What if I cannot afford a criminal defense lawyer?

You can ask the court to appoint the public defender, who represents people who cannot afford a lawyer.

What does Board Certified in Criminal Trial Law mean?

It is a credential from The Florida Bar for lawyers with substantial experience in the field who have passed peer review and a written exam. 25 of the 25 lawyers in this ranking hold it; 4.9% of Florida lawyers hold a board certification in any field.

Where are the best criminal defense lawyers in Florida?

Of the 25 lawyers in this ranking, 5 practice in Orlando, 4 practice in Tampa, 3 practice in Fort Lauderdale. Each city also has its own ranking.

Do I need a criminal defense lawyer in my own city?

Any lawyer licensed by The Florida Bar may practice anywhere in Florida, but a lawyer who regularly appears in your county knows its judges and procedures.

How is this ranking ordered?

By the LexRank score, calculated only from facts with a cited source: experience, practice-area relevance, awards on record such as board certification, professional credentials, data quality and location. Client reviews do not affect the LexRank score: neither star ratings nor the number of reviews is scored. Payment never changes a position.

Do client reviews affect the LexRank score?

Client reviews do not affect the LexRank score: neither star ratings nor the number of reviews is scored. Reviews are shown on profiles for information only, and Reputation counts only awards on record, such as board certification. How we rank

Which lawyers are verified?

25 of the 25 ranked lawyers have fully verified profiles: Benedict P Kuehne, Mark Matthew O’Mara, Ira David Karmelin, Bryant Raymond Camareno and Ruth Mercedes Martinez and others.

What is the difference between the top two lawyers?

Benedict P Kuehne scores 92.00 and Mark Matthew O’Mara 88.00, a gap of 4.00 points, mostly in reputation. Compare them side by side

About this ranking

Last updated
Methodology
LexRank v1.2 - deterministic, reproducible scoring
Editorial review
LexRanked editorial team,
Independence
Positions are never sold. Paid placements, if any, are labelled and do not affect scores.

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