Michael D Morrison

I am not just an attorney who practices criminal law. I am a Board Certified Criminal Trial Attorney, which is the Florida Bar's way of designating one as an expert in the field of criminal trial law. To achieve this I had to try a large number of cases, pass an arduous written examination and receive endorsements from judges, prosecutors and fellow attorneys. There are approximately 100,000 attorneys in the Florida bar and only 443 are board certified experts in criminal trial law. To date I have tried over 60 cases before a jury as lead attorney and acting almost always as sole counsel in cases whose charges include first-degree murder, capital sexual battery, dealing in stolen property, theft, DUI, driving with a suspended license, and aggravated battery to name a few. I have also tried approximately 100 non-jury trials which includes juvenile delinquency cases and probation revocation hearings. I will be happy to discuss with you my experience in each and every one of those trials to see if what I learned in them can help you.

I encourage everyone I consult with to talk to as many attorneys as possible so that they can find the right fit for them. I suggest two guidelines when looking to hire a lawyer in criminal matters:

1. Never pay for a consultation from a local practitioner. I never charge to speak to someone over the phone, in person or in a local jail. I find the concept repugnant. A lawyer may present to you as “Well, I am giving you my time to discuss your case, thus I should be compensated.” No, at a basic level we are interviewing for job to get your business. You are giving us your time to talk about your situation and giving us an opportunity to see if we can help. Because you are the one giving something up for our benefit, there is no sense is a lawyer asking you for compensation.

2. Look for a Board Certified Attorney. The Board Certification program is run by the Florida Bar and the title it conveys upon a lawyer is earned through the efforts described above. It is not one that is simply paid for as certifications from other organizations that I will not name can be. The trial work is hard. However, it is through that work that we establish our level of knowledge and expertise that results in judges, prosecutors and other defense lawyers giving their endorsements for Board Certification. A Board Certified lawyer is an experience and well practiced one. Also, it shows a lawyers ability to commit themselves to a goal. If they are willing to go trough through the arduous certification process, then it shows they have the will to commit themselves fully to your case.