279 Client Reviews
Showing 11 - 15 of 276 reviews | 5 stars
Posted by anonymous | August 21, 2025 | Hired Attorney
Defeated the odds
So grateful and thankful for Michael Haber. He came highly recommended and the results proved why. I was not sure of my fate in this case and felt I had no way out. He came in and immediately got to work. He was transparent every step of the way and he broke things down and explained everything in...
Dear Anonymous, I know who you are (your case just closed & you told me you submitted #HaberPA's 269th 5-Star Client Review) but no one else can ID you so I'm comfortable sharing something of your unique, interesting case with the folks. You were arrested in 06/24 in another Florida County on an Arrest Warrant for Attempted Felony Murder & Aggravated Assault with a Firearm from The 305. Despite the charges the warrant contained a $65k bond which you posted. No Court date was set & in 11/24 another Florida County took you into custody on the same Miami-Dade County charges but under a different, later case number. You were extradited to Miami, attended your First Appearance & were ROR’d (Released on Recognizance). At Arraignment the State up-charged you from Attempted Murder to Burglary with Battery (a Felony punishable by life in prison in Florida - aside alert: unlike many other States in The State of Florida "life" means "life in prison"). You were represented by the Public Defender's Office, started looking for private counsel & were ultimately referred to me via a well-respected, semi-retired Criminal Defense Lawyer. My first task was to review the Affidavit in Support of the Arrest Warrant which claimed that you appeared at the alleged victims' (there were 2 of them) residence (an apartment complex) & when (V1) “walked out of the apartment to throw away the trash" V2 claimed that you “kicked and stomped [V1] on the head in a violent manner as to incapacitate him... while [V1] was on the ground getting beat, his firearm came out of his waistband and picked up by an unknown female” who allegedly gave the gun to you who reportedly pointed the gun at V2 & stated “we will be back, we will be back, on my on my mom, this is my gun." As to "the why" of this the complaining witnesses alleged that a few hours earlier in the day they both had physical alterations with your mother & your sister, both of whom were arrested for violent felonies a few hours earlier. While they didn't know you (or your relatives) they picked you out of a photo-lineup ID'ing you as their assailant. Despite the fact that the ID was made 8 days after the fact the Cops didn't secure the warrant until 1,014 days after the incident & the Information wasn’t filed until 1,261 days after the incident, 1,253 days after the positive ID, 165 days after the Warrant had issued & 160 days after the warrant was served. The State was within the Statute of Limitations but something was off. As I went through the discovery process (i.e. received & reviewed the State evidence - all of which I sent you copies in real time) it was apparent that we needed an Expert Witness to debunk the most critical Direct Evidence in the case (i.e. the Eyewitness Identification); unfortunately it became equally obvious that your mother & sister's concurrent arrests constituted damning Circumstantial Evidence which would be admissible & link you to the crime (i.e. providing "motive" and arguing against a "mistaken ID"). Armed with this knowledge, given your financial situation (effective experts are expensive) & your reasonable aversion to risking a Jury Trial with "life plus 5" at stake we had my PI run the alleged victims, establish their prior criminal history & availability & then, after discussing the possibilities, probabilities, expected costs & risks associated with defending the case you authorized me to engage in Plea Negotiations. I was ultimately able to negotiate a plea which included the State abandoning the most serious charge in exchange for a "No Contest" plea to two 3rd degree felonies, for which you received a "Withhold of Adjudication" (you weren't convicted), 5 years Probation & the ability to Early Terminate after 2½ years. After serving (suffering?) 33+ years in the trenches of Criminal Defense Litigation it's hard not to become jaded but cases & clients like you keep things in perspective & make it worthwhile. Ty again & wishing you the best! Fondly, MAH/Esq. #HaberPA
Posted by anonymous | July 10, 2025 | Hired Attorney
Case dismissed!!!
After 100 days, my charges were dismissed thanks to my lawyer Mike! He was always available to my calls, answered any of my questions. If you need a good lawyer he’s your guy!
Dear Anonymous, Thank you for your short but succinct 5-Star Client Review (#HaberPA's 268th on AVVO). As no one can possibly ID you & as your case was rather unique I'll comfortably share more about your situation with the folks. You worked at a "Smoke Shop" located somewhere in The 305 & on one otherwise normal day a battalion of Cops showed up, arrested you & 2 of your co-workers, confiscated the store's inventory & charged you with Trafficking in Marijuana (a 1st degree Felony punishable by up to 30 years in Prison), Possession with Intent to Sell Psilocybin (a 2nd degree Felony punishable by up to 15 years in Prison), PWID Hashish (also a 2nd degree Felony) & Manufacture with Intent to Deliver Paraphernalia (a a 3rd degree Felony punishable by up to 5 years in Prison). You were detained & transported to the Police Station where Detectives tried to get you to confess, cooperate & rat. As you had done nothing wrong (again, you work in a "Smoke Shop" that simply sells & doesn't manufacture either legal paraphernalia or legal product - i.e. non-controlled substances) you gave the cops nothing & in turn they gave you no access to a phone. Fortunately you had people on the outside (your employer & wife) who were able to reach out in real time & engage me to appear at your bond hearing & make argument for your release. Your wife armed me with a great deal of information which I was able parlay the following morning when I had your case called out of turn & offered cogent argument to the Judge as to why you neither presented any danger to the community nor were a flight risk. Over the State's objection the Judge sided with me, gave you a most reasonable bond &, having coordinated the night before & prearranged for your bond to be posted the moment the Court Ordered your release conditions your release occurred at the earliest time possible. The following day (& after you reacclimated to the free world) you & I spoke, I explained the situation, what you could expect moving forward & based upon our detailed discussion I predicted the 2 most likely outcomes (i.e. either you were right & the Crime Lab would send back a chemical analysis report verifying that the Cops had impounded no illegal substances or they'd allege positive results & we'd have a dog-fight ahead of us). Regardless from that point forward it was a waiting game, with multiple resets of your Arraignment & appearances (literally 7 resets over 3+ months & precisely 100 days), none of which you had to attend but each of which I attended & sent you an email explaining both what had occurred & what would happen next. While we didn't speak until after you were bonded out, after that we were in constant contact (be it by text, email or on the phone - in fact at one point you reached out to me asking about taking an international trip to visit family while on bond, we spent a great deal of time discussing the pros & cons & I assisted you in making an informed & wise decision. It took a ridiculous amount of time but your case was dismissed. With all of that said I want to take a moment to discuss "the why" of this: The Police who raided your shop were pathetically under-trained, ill-equipped & over zealous. I'm sure they did "Field Tests" which came back positive for "Magic Mushrooms" & THC but they should've know that A) those tests are purely presumptive (i.e. they're inadmissible as evidence) & B) in 2025 there are a boat load of legit products that mimic controlled substances & which stores like the one you work in legally sell. Yours is the 3rd such case that I've handled with the precise result (i.e. dismissal by a Prosecutor after a negative Lab Report), and the 2nd by the same Police Department. You're now eligible to expunge the matter but (noting that I don't handle & admittedly know little about the viability of Civil Rights cases) were I you then I'd sue the pants off of the PD. Congrats & thanks again for your kind words. Gratefully, MAH/Esq. #HaberPA
Posted by anonymous | May 27, 2025 | Hired Attorney
Professional, Efficient, and Supportive – Highly Recommend
I was feeling really overwhelmed about my legal issue, but Mr. Haber made everything so much easier. He clearly explained each step, answered all my questions quickly, and kept the whole process smooth and stress-free. He did exactly what he promised and handled all the paperwork efficiently. I tr...
Dear Anonymous Client, Thank you for your kind 5-Star Client Review (#HaberPA's 267th on AVVO). As you 've not identified yourself nor provided any context to your case neither the folks who read nor even I can discern your identity; still, as your Client Review is short enough I'll respond sentence by sentence. "I was feeling really overwhelmed about my legal issue, but Mr. Haber made everything so much easier. He clearly explained each step, answered all my questions quickly, kept the whole process smooth and stress-free." Those with preconceived notions about the nature of my work tend to believe that I represent "criminals" and often question my morality, and to them I say: My job is to represent folks who've been accused of a criminal act, to look for any illegal, unlawful, unconstitutional acts by the government, if they preexist my involvement then to call the government out and hold them accountable and then to ensure that from the moment I'm retained until the conclusion of the case my client receives Due Process (i.e. that s/he s treated with fundamental fairness by the Prosecutor, Judge and Jury and also by myself. Aside alert: I also tend to offer a "soft lecture" about why Colonials risked life, limb, property and liberty so that they don't have to bow to a King; aside within an aside alert [and noting that I'll tie this one up in a moment]: Many a Police Offer wears a shirt embossed with the word "POLICE" in big, bold letters across the chest I too have one that says "LAWYER" in big block letters on the front but unlike The PoPo the back of mine says "My job is to defend your ass, not to kiss it".) Those clients lacking experience with Criminal Justice System (which, contrary to the thoughts of the former group, are most of my clients) never (ever) question my integrity, but they regularly feel "overwhelmed about [their] legal issue" and rightfully experience a great deal of stress. As I'm well-aware that "The Criminal Process" (i.e. being 'cuffed, stuffed into a Squad Car, perp-walked into a Jail's Sally Port, booked, caged, forced to attend an Initial Appearance or Post Bond, then go out of pocket to hire a Criminal Defense Lawyer and wait week, months perhaps years for their case to resolve all the while unsure of what will happen yet having to juggle familial, employment, academic, licensing, financial and other concerns) is "overwhelming" and "stressful" I consider it part of my job to make it as painless as is possible for the client. Sometimes I'm able to do this on my own and other times (depending upon the client's ability to cope) I refer a therapist, but in any event I make it a point to engage in open, honest, direct & frequent communication, fully vet the facts and circumstances unique to both the client and the case, make myself easily reachable by phone, email or on the internet, take a "Global Approach" to the Client and the case, come to understand the Client and her/his situation and then adopt the Client's interests as my own. "He did exactly what he promised and handled all the paperwork efficiently." Lawyers are not ethically able to guarantee results but we are ethically mandated to give our all to the client; as such I make the following written "promise" to all clients when I email my Retainer Agreement: "I want to reassure you that our goals in your case are three-fold: 1) To perform precisely as promised, 2) to always be available to you and 3) to earn (by way of #'s 1 and 2) your positive client review at the successful conclusion of your case." Finally, as to "my case was solved smoothly, and he handled all the paperwork professionally.", this dovetails with what I just typed. If I fail to "perform precisely as promised" and "to always be available to you" then I won't "earn (by way of #'s 1 and 2) your positive client review at the successful conclusion of your case." I'm very glad that it worked out for you and thank you again for your kind Client Review. Fondly, MAH/Esq. #HaberPA
Posted by anonymous | May 05, 2025
Best lawyer I've talked to
Nice, Really modern person and knows how to talk to people. Sincere, anonymous
Dear [non-] Client, I can't be entirely certain that you're the person who "found" me on AVVO earlier today, read my Legal Guides on Theft & Diversion, took a shot at calling me to discuss the same directly, left a voicemail for me which I returned within moments & then with whom I spent the next 40+ minutes discussing your situation or not, but I have a very strong suspicion that this (#HaberPA's 266th 5-Star Client Review on AVVO) was you, & even if it wasn't then I know that my response "as if" it were you will be worth the time & hopefully of value to the folks who read it (aside alert: I apologize for the "Grammar FAIL!" as that was both an unnecessary run-on sentence which I inexcusably ended with a preposition, but I digress...). Most AVVO "Askers" get a response to me after posting a public question to which I respond & which may or may not result in further discourse, be it via subsequent public comment or by follow-up email or a phone call; but then there are some, like [presumably] you, who prefer to go straight to the source & either email or call (in your case, assuming again that "you" & "you", as stated, it was a phone call). The point that I'm trying to make (if I'm making any point at all) is NOT (caps intentional) to suggest that folks call instead of publicly posting a question (in fact posting questions can help not only the Asker but also anyone else who reads it, not only from my reply but also as other lawyers may chime in either validating my response or offering another perspective - another aside alert: you can put 5 lawyers in a room, ask 1 question & get 5 answers); rather it's that however you reach #HaberPA we will do out best to respond. Disclaimer: It's plain as day to any AVVO user that I am a Miami-based Criminal Defense Lawyer (in fact that's patently stated right under my name) & anyone who looks further at my AVVO profile will see that my practice area / "comfort zone" is Southeast Florida (more specifically The 305, The 954 & The 561) yet all too many folks from far parts in this very large Sunshine State apparently fail to acknowledge the geographical reality, opting to "blow me up" from from places like The 904, The 407, The 850, etcetera, & so for the benefit of anyone who wants to call me from North, West or Northwest of Palm Beach County I say this: Please [pretty please even] don't waste either of our time; instead call a lawyer who's office is in your area & who may be able to both offer informed opinions & actual, real-world help. The reason for this is simple (if not obvious): As I've regularly appeared in Miami, Ft. Lauderdale & Palm Beach over the course of decades I'm very familiar with the idiosyncrasies, proclivities & protocols of those Judges, their Judicial Staff, the State Attorney's Office, many individual Prosecutors, Diversion Programs, Deputy Clerks, Corrections, Probation and the various relevant vendors (e.g. IID companies, places to complete Community Service Hours, etcetera) whereas I am completely in the dark as to all of those critical factors in areas where I don't regularly practice, but local lawyers are "in the know" & it's to them (not me) that you should turn for advise, information & or representation. Disclaimer complete let me return to you, the presumptive non-Client who so kindly authored this brief, succinct & greatly appreciated Client Review: The grateful, positive feedback that I got from you, both about my AVVO Legal Guides that you read & then the productive conversation that we had, is absolutely refreshing. Sadly I field far more criticism (albeit mostly from ingrates / asshats who choose to take offense at honest replies to their questions rather than to take them for what they are, to wit: "honest replies to their questions") than I do props & so when someone takes the time to express their gratitude I feel compelled to reply in kind. Whether you are who I think you are or not you are clearly one such person. Gratefully, MAH/Esq. #HaberPA
Posted by Lisa | April 24, 2025
What every attorney should be!
I had the absolute pleasure of speaking with attorney Michael Haber this evening about a civil demand letter I received from Macy's Department Store. Although this was not a call I was looking forward to having, Mr. Haber immediately put me at ease. Mr. Haber is incredibly intelligent, non-judgmental...
Dear Lisa, Thank you so much for taking the time & expending the effort to submit your 5-Star Client Review (#HaberPA's 265th on AVVO) after our recent conversations. As no one can possibly identify you I'm quite comfortable in providing detail as to "the how, what & why" of our contact / consultation. You recently experienced an issue at a retail establishment where you were stopped by a Loss Prevention Officer, detained & then accused of having committed Retail Theft. You were taken into a "back room" where, upon "interrogation" you stated that you hadn't stolen anything, in fact that you were still inside of the store (i.e. you had not "tak[en] possession of or carr[ied] away [any] merchandise, property, money, or negotiable documents; alter[ed] or remov[ed] a label, universal product code, or price tag; transferr[ed] merchandise from one container to another; or remov[ed] a shopping cart, with intent to deprive the merchant of possession, use, benefit, or full retail value"), had not passed any "last point of payment" & therefore had been irresponsibly & unlawfully accused & detained. Management responded, pulled & reviewed the surveillance footage which, unlike most folks in this situation, substantiated your claim, resulting in both an apology & your immediate release. Fast forward a few weeks & you received a "Civil Demand Letter" in the mail from a Law Firm representing the retailer & demanding payment of $200.00 for your Civil Theft. (Aside alert: Per F. S. 772.11 Florida retailers are statutorily entitled to seek monetary relief from folks for acts Civil Theft; but, so as to get the penalty either you have to succumb to their demand - i.e. voluntarily pay them - or the retailer has to file a Civil Lawsuit which will cost them hundreds to file, then hundreds or thousands more to prosecute a claim that must ultimately be proven in Court by "Clear and Convincing Evidence" of their injury from your Theft; thus the "Demand Letter" is nothing more than an offer to settle a lawsuit which has not yet & which may never be filed.) You ignored the letter (as many folks do) & shortly thereafter received another, ergo bumping the settlement amount higher & then a 3rd letter (now up to about $600.00) after which you did some research into the subject leading you to #HaberPA on AVVO. You didn't follow the traditional path of asking a public question; rather you opted to contact me directly via email, in which you advised me of the following 2 aggravating factors: First, you had 2 prior Arrests & Prosecutions for Petit Theft, both of which were ultimately dismissed & second that you hold various professional licenses from the State of Florida, none of which were aware of the prior dismissed Misdemeanors. I received & replied in a timely fashion, inviting you to call me as your situation was more complicated than "the usual" / "par" Civil Theft (i.e. I felt that an actual conversation would be quicker & more prudent than what would likely be a prolonged email dialogue) & so it came to pass that we spoke. You initially wanted to retain me to handle this for you but I suggested an alternative tactic designed to both save you money & increase the odds of a swift, acceptable resolution, to wit: That you contact the Law Firm directly, apologize for not responding sooner (perhaps conjuring an excuse like a terminal family member) & humbly & with contrition asking for an accommodation on dollars so that you could pay with haste & close the matter. You followed my advise, got a 20% discount (which is better than nothing), paid it immediately & the matter's now behind you, with your State Licensing Agencies remaining in the dark as to any theft allegations (note that this was key for me as had this somehow been reported, had The State become aware of 3 Theft allegations, then you likely would have lost your licenses). In the end I'm glad I was able to help you & appreciate your kind, unsolicited Client Review. Fondly, MAH/Esq. #HaberPA