James Ferril Turner Jr.

I am an attorney practicing family law and criminal in Northwest Florida.

Educational Background

I earned my Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Florida State University. After completing undergrad, I studied law on a full scholarship at the FSU College of Law where I earned my juris doctor degree in 2004. I began my legal career as a prosecutor in Tallahassee, Florida.

Previous Employment

I have spent 6 years working in the child welfare area of law, principally as a an attorney with the Florida Guardian ad Litem Program, representing the best interests of children who have been abused abandoned or neglect.

Previously, I worked with the Innocence Project of Florida to help innocent prisoners in Florida obtain their freedom through the use of DNA testing and to help rebuild their lives once released. One such case was that of Wilton Dedge, who after serving 22 years of a life sentence, was the first man in Florida exonerated through DNA evidence. Following Mr. Dedge's release, I worked with former American Bar Association President and Former President of Florida State University, Talbot "Sandy" D'Alemberte, to help lobby the Florida legislature in 2005 on a claims bill that eventually awarded Mr. Dedge a total of $2.2 million, the largest settlement regarding a wrongful conviction in Florida history. The story of Wilton Dedge was featured in the documentary "After Innocence" that was shown at the 2005 Sundance Film Festival.

Professional Associations

I was appointed by President-elect Jesse Diner of the Florida Bar to its Committee on the Legal Needs of Children for the 2009-2011 term. The scope and function of the Legal Needs of Children committee is to find ways to implement procedures designed to help assist children who appear in our courtrooms, whether as victims, witnesses or defendants. The committee monitors and influences the Legislative process where such needs are concerned. The committee also studies developments in this specialized area of practice of the law and keep the members of the Florida Bar informed of significant developments in this practice area.