Michael John Bauer

Fourteen months ago I was charged with three serious felonies, counterfeiting, uttering, and grand theft. Having a family to take care of and a career I was worried to death about the possibility of going to jail as a result of these charges. I had called a few attorneys in Tallahassee that were aski...ng exorbitant prices which in some cases did not include the trial fee. Also, they seemed more intent on how I was going to pay the fee than the details of my case. Mr. Bauer was referred by another attorney I contacted due to his many years of experience working for the prosecutor’s office. When I explained the details of my case to him and my financial situation he worked with me on the price, as if price should even matter when you’re dealing with your life, none the less he quoted me a very fair fee to take my case. In addition to this, he also spent quite a bit of time getting the details of the case from me on the very first phone call. A friend of mine who was with me when the alleged crimes occurred had already taken a deal and he had a public defender. He pled guilty to all three of the above mentioned charges and received jail time. After hearing this I was almost certain I would be convicted and get jail and / or prison time. Mike was very confident that we could take this to trial and beat two of the charges with the third charge (grand theft) being a little iffy. The only deal the state would offer me consisted of several months in a work camp if I pled guilty to all three felony charges. I did not want any felonies on my record due to the possibility of losing my job among other things. After nearly a year of continuing the case we were fully prepared to go to trial when Mike was able to negotiate a very very good deal with the prosecutor’s office. At the end of the day I pled no contest to petty theft and paid $275 in court cost and fee's. No jail, no probation, no community service, nothing. This is the advice that I would offer to anybody who may be in a similar situation where you are facing some potentially life changing charges, don't always believe that the big law firms are better. My personal opinion is to choose an attorney who has the time to dedicate to your case. I would also recommend someone who has experience working with the Leon County prosecutor’s office because knowing how to weave through the bureaucratic maze that is sometimes imposed is just as important as experience. Last but not least, get an attorney who has trial experience. If your attorney has limited trial experience than find another one. Mike Bauer encompasses all these things and I cannot praise this man enough. I would recommend him to anyone who needs something more than just an average attorney. Thanks to Mr. Bauer I have no felonies on my record and I do not have to leave my wife or daughter to do any jail time.