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About Richard
AGGRESSIVELY DEFENDING THE ACCUSED SINCE 1985.
For nearly 35 years, attorney Richard G. Canina has been practicing exclusively in the area of criminal defense law in Brevard County, FL. Mr. Canina graduated with Honors from The University Of Florida at age 20, obtaining a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice. He later attended Stetson University College of Law, where he received his Juris Doctorate. While at Stetson, Mr. Canina served as Vice President of Sigma Nu Phi Legal Fraternity and successfully completed an internship with the Office of The Public Defender, Sixth Judicial Circuit.
After graduating from law school Mr. Canina took a position with the Brevard County Public Defender’s Office, where he served as an Assistant Public Defender in the trial division for nearly five years. As an assistant Public Defender, Mr. Canina aggressively defended thousands of clients with charges ranging from misdemeanor traffic offenses to first degree premeditated murder.
Mr. Canina is a full member of the Florida Bar. He is also licensed to practice in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida. He has been a member of several legal organizations including the Brevard County Bar Association, The Orange County Bar Association, The Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, and the Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers. He has recieved numerous awards and accolades including a perfect 5 out of 5 Martindale Hubbell Client Rating, a perfect 10 "Superb" Avvo Rating,and the Avvo.com Client's Choice award. Most recently, he was named to the prestigious "Top 100 Trial Lawyers" List by the The National Trial Lawyers and was awarded the "Superior DUI Attorney" ranking by the National Advocacy for DUI Defense.
Mr. Canina has dedicated his career to defending the legal rights and freedoms of the accused. His practice focuses 100% on criminal defense and criminal trial practice. He is proud of the fact that he has never worked as a state prosecutor. His philosophy is to unconditionally help his client no matter what the allegations may be.
DISCLAIMER: The information you obtain at this site is not, nor is it intended to be, legal advice. You should consult an attorney for advice regarding your individual situation. We invite you to contact us and welcome your calls, letters and electronic mail. Contacting us does not create an attorney-client relationship. Please do not send any confidential information to us until such time as an attorney-client relationship has been established. Areas of practice and Attorney Bio does not reflect Board Certification. Client reviews and testimonials are solely the opinions of said reviewers and in no way constitute the views/opinions of the lawyer. Prospective clients may not obtain the same or similar case results.
Practice areas
- Criminal defense: 50%
All felony and misdemeanor criminal offenses including: sexual offenses, drug trafficking, prescription drug crimes, violent crimes, fraud, racketeering, burglary, DUI, child abuse, juvenile offenses, theft crimes, federal crimes.
37 years, 7,500 cases
- DUI and DWI: 20%
37 years
- Sex crime: 20%
- Domestic violence: 5%
- Federal crime: 5%
Languages spoken
English
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The Canina Law Firm
1901 S. Harbor City Blvd
Suite 804
Melbourne, FL, 32901
Resume
| State | Status | Acquired | Updated |
|---|---|---|---|
| FL | Member in Good Standing | 1985 | 02/23/2022 |
| Legal answers | 67 |
| Legal guides | 0 |
| Award name | Grantor | Date Granted |
|---|---|---|
| Superior DUI Attorney | National Advocacy for DUI Defense | 2016 |
| Top 100 Trial Lawyers | National Trial Lawyers | 2015 |
| Superior DUI Attorney | National Advocacy for DUI Defense | 2015 |
| Recognition for Service | PAL | 2015 |
| Preeminent 5.0 out of 5 | Martindale-Hubbell | 2015 |
| Client Distinction Award | Martindale-Hubbell | 2015 |
| Top Contributor Award | Avvo | 2014 |
| Client's Choice Award | Avvo | 2014 |
| Preeminent 5.0 out of 5 | Martindale-Hubbell | 2014 |
| Top Contributor Award | Avvo | 2013 |
| Client's Choice Award | Avvo | 2013 |
| Certificate of Merit - Public Defender Clinic | Stetson College of Law | 1985 |
| Honor Society | University of Florida | 1980 |
| Graduated Cum Laude | University of Florida | N/A |
| Title | Company name | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Owner/Founder | Richard G. Canina P.A. | 2008 - Present |
| Partner | Mitchell and Canina P.A. | 1990 - 2008 |
| Assistant Public Defender | Public Defender's Office, 18th Jud. Circuit | 1985 - 1990 |
| Certified Legal Intern | Public Defender Clinic | 1984 - 1985 |
| Criminal Law Clerk | Lee Fugate P.A. | 1983 - 1984 |
| Certified Corrections Officer | Florida Department Of Corrections | 1981 - 1982 |
| Association name | Position name | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Orange County Bar Association | Member | 2010 - Present |
| Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers | Member | 1995 - Present |
| United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida | Member | 1987 - Present |
| Florida Bar | Member | 1985 - Present |
| Brevard County Bar Association | Member | 1985 - Present |
| National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers | Member | N/A |
| Sigma Nu Legal Fraternity | Vice President | N/A |
| Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers | Member | N/A |
| Publication name | Title | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Website | melbournedefenselaw.com | N/A |
| School name | Degree | Graduated |
|---|---|---|
| Stetson University College of Law | Juris Doctor | 1985 |
| Florida Corrections Officers Training Institute | 1982 | |
| University of Florida | BA - Bachelor of Arts | 1980 |
| St. John the Baptist DHS | NY State Regents Diploma | 1977 |
| Conference name | Title | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Brevard County Bar Association | Administrative Hearings in DUI Cases | 1992 |
| Guest Lecturer | Florida's Habitual Felony Offender and Habitual Violent Felony Offender Statutes | 1991 |
| Women In Law Seminar | Discrimination Against Women in Corrections | 1985 |
| Case name | Outcome |
|---|---|
| State v. R.H. | Client pled open to the court. The Judge reinstated him to probation and,finding grounds for a downward departure sentence, placed him on community control and probation for the computer solicitation charge while withholding adjudication. |
| State v. S.W. | The State agreed to amend the charge to vehicular homicide, which avoided the mandatory minimum. The client pled open to the court and was sentenced to 90 days in the Brevard County jail followed by 2 years of community control and 13 years of probation. |
| State v. L.B. | The State agreed not to file formal charges for witness tampering. The client pled open to the court and was sentenced as a Youthful Offender to 364 days in the Orange County Jail followed by 5 years of probation. Adjudication was withheld. |
| State v. J.S. | The State agreed not to seek jail time and to amend the charge to Willful Wanton Reckless Driving |
| United States of America v. L.K. | The client was sentenced to three years of Federal Probation. |
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Attorney endorsements
(19)
Kimberli Trader, Criminal defense Attorney on Jan 14, 2016
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Rick Canina is a superb criminal defense attorney and a great role model. I highly endorse and recommend him!
Dmitry Gorin, Criminal defense Attorney on Sep 23, 2014
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse attorney Richard Canina. He donates his time to provide excellent legal answers on Avvo from citizens seeking advise. A respected member in the legal industry.
Kimberli Trader, Criminal defense Attorney on Jan 14, 2016
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Rick Canina is a superb criminal defense attorney and a great role model. I highly endorse and recommend him!
Dmitry Gorin, Criminal defense Attorney on Sep 23, 2014
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse attorney Richard Canina. He donates his time to provide excellent legal answers on Avvo from citizens seeking advise. A respected member in the legal industry.
Derrick Connell, Unknown Attorney on Jul 1, 2014
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer.
Michael Waddington, Criminal defense Attorney on Jun 13, 2014
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse Richard. He is a highly skilled attorney that is well respected in the legal community.
Jeffrey Boston, Criminal defense Attorney on Jul 29, 2013
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Richard is a man of experience and expertise. If you have been unjustly accused of committing a crime, you can count on Mr. Canina to competently counter such a claim in court.
Mark Malek, Criminal defense Attorney on Jul 12, 2013
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer. I have had the pleasure of referring several people to Rick for his assistance. He is very attentive to the needs of his clients and is very well respected in our legal community.
Michael Crosner, Personal injury Attorney on Mar 7, 2013
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer. Richard is a legal go-to guy in the area of criminal law. His legal background & responses on Avvo are excellent.
William Umansky, Criminal defense Attorney on Jan 17, 2013
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
When you hire Rick Canina you have a lawyer you can count on. I have known Rick for over 20 years and he is a steady, smart, professional and aggressive when appropriate. When I used to be a prosecutor, I knew I was in for a fight because Rick is a foot soldier of the constitution and will protect his clients to the bitter end. He is a great lawyer!
Tiffany Loris, Criminal defense Attorney on Jan 17, 2013
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Rick was a worthy adversary when I practiced criminal law as a prosecutor. He is considered an outstanding criminal defense attorney in Brevard County.
Stephen Charpentier, Criminal defense Attorney on Jan 17, 2013
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer. Rick has a reputation as a superior criminal defense lawyer. His ethics are impecable and his competency is first class.
Jeffrey Thompson, Criminal defense Attorney on Jan 17, 2013
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I have known Rick for more than 20 years, and he is an excellent criminal defense attorney with a proven track record. He is well-respected in the legal community for his knowledge and skill.
Glen Chaney, Criminal defense Attorney on Dec 31, 2012
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer. I have known Mr Canina for 30 years and I have always found him to be honest and forthright as well as being a very intelligent and skilled attorney.
Joseph D'Achille, Criminal defense Attorney on Dec 27, 2012
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Rick Canina is a highly qualified defense attorney with a capable staff.
Matisyahu Wolfberg, Criminal defense Attorney on Dec 12, 2012
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer.
John Phillips, Unknown Attorney on Dec 9, 2012
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse Attorney Canina. From his answers and time on Avvo, it is clear he is dedicated to serving those in need and his clients. It's rare that lawyers spend so much valuable time helping the community, for free, and I applaud him for doing it to such a great level. Kudos.
Bryan Lober, Unknown Attorney on Dec 6, 2012
Relationship: Worked together on matter
I have known Attorney Canina since shortly after having moved to Brevard County. We’ve previously represented codefendants in the same matter. As a fellow Brevard County criminal defense attorney, I am well aware of what it takes to be effective in this field and in this county. Rick has a solid background in criminal defense and has handled a variety of cases. His efforts and professionalism both inside and outside of the courtroom can only serve to benefit his clients.
Steven Casanova, Criminal defense Attorney on Dec 6, 2012
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer.
Jonathan Hackworth, Unknown Attorney on Dec 5, 2012
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer without reservation.
Richard Canina, Criminal defense Attorney on Dec 5, 2012
Relationship: Family member
I endorse this lawyer. He's the reason I became a lawyer :)
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