John Peter France

Mr. France was very accessible. While I was in jail he sat down with my Mom and answered all her questions. Sure she had to make an appointment, but that's what you'd have to do for any attorney. When I got out on bond, I called his office and was able to meet with him the following week. He give...s you your situation in a very straight forward manner. He's very bare bones, not a lot of flash but he knows what he's doing.

Mr France did not prepare for my hearing. He received discovery 15 minutes after I met him then he advised me to take a plea bargain on my charges because I would just get probation and be sent home. Well I accepted the plea bargain and the judge did not like the deal and I was not able to withdra...w my plea. I was sentenced to ten years on a charge that I thought was for fighting, I then find out that its Aggravated battery in the commission of a burglary for punching a guy through his car window (The charge actually carries a life sentence). Even though there was no injury to the guy or anything stolen, Mr France advised me to take the deal to avoid a long drawn out court case that might not go my way and I would definitely get prison time, the pla deal he said, was the way home. Now I am fighting to have this plea withdrawn and the case tried with a new lawyer..

Mr. France is a decent attorney who got a bad rap, by the other reviewer. I had a criminal case with him in front of Judge Bergosh, and so did a few other people. When one of the inmates complained they wanted another attorney, Judge Bergosh spoke up for Mr. France saying he was one of the most kno...wledgeable attorneys he's known. Mr. France had some bogus evidence in my case thrown out, and forced the prosecutor to fold. All and all he was decent, although, he does mumble a little. I avoided 5 years state prison because of him.

At least I can say he doesn't do this on purpose... He truly is naturally "Slow" I had a domestic criminal case whereas I had an airtight defense. He just stood there babbling and let the prosecutor (DA) do exactly whatever they wanted. He spent no time whatsoever preparing my case; I didn't even... know I had a lawyer until I walked into the courtroom. Hey Peter, when the opposing side has four witnesses, two minutes before the case starts is NOT the time to prepare. He truly is the worst attorney in the tri-county area. Perhaps he was fighting cancer or something medical in 2007 and this interfered with his ability to litigate. I tried to file a letter of complaint with the Florida Bar. I can always be reached at [email address removed] to swap stories. Jim Kelly

The only good aspect of this lawyer is that he is not intentionally ignorant. If you as a defendant think this attorney will actually prepare for your case, you are sadly mistaken. My contempt of court hearing took place 03 July 2007 and I even didn't know I had an attorney until after walking in t...o the courtroom to be tried (No jury) wearing shackles. Imagine trying to explain your case to Peter France in 30 seconds... its impossible. And he refused to ask for a continuance so he can spend like 10 minutes (if I was lucky) actually preparing. He conducted no discovery so there were four hostile witnesses and he was completely taken by surprise. He screwed up the case so badly I'm still (in 2009) litigating and trying to make repairs. I will never use a public defender again. James Kelly, Pensacola, 850-393-2214