Richard Anthony Merlino Jr.

PRO

Richard Anthony Merlino Jr.

4.7
51 reviews
This is an aggregated review score of Avvo and Lawyers.com reviews.
Rating: 10.0

Licensed for 32 years

Criminal defense Lawyer at Fort Lauderdale, FL
Practice Areas: Criminal Defense, Federal Crime, DUI & DWI ... +2 more

101 N.E. Third Avenue, Suite 1500, Fort Lauderdale, FL

Free Consultation

About Richard

Biography

Aggressive & Proactive. Former Prosecutor. 25 years experience. 954 210-5287

Practice Areas

5

Practice Areas

Criminal Defense 40%

Federal and State Criminal Trial & Appellate Practice with Offices in Philadelphia, PA and Fort Lauderdale, FL

33 years | 1,000 cases

40%
Federal Crime 30%

33 years | 800 cases

30%
DUI and DWI 20%

33 years | 1,000 cases

20%
Domestic Violence 5%

33 years | 750 cases

5%
Juvenile Law 5%

33 years | 500 cases

5%

Fees and Rates

Cost

Free Consultation

$0 first 5 minutes

Retainer

Sometimes


Payment Methods

  • Cash
  • Check
  • Credit Card

Awards

Client's Choice
Client's Choice
2024
Platinum Client Champion
AV Preeminent Peer Review Rating

Licenses

Licensed in Florida for 32 years

State: Florida

Acquired: 1993

Member in Good Standing

No misconduct found

Location

RICHARD A. MERLINO, P.A.

101 N.E. Third Avenue, Suite 1500, Fort Lauderdale, FL, 33301

richardamerlino.com

Philadelphia Office

1500 Market Street, Suite 2727, Philadelphia, PA, 19102

richardamerlino.com

Richard Anthony Merlino Jr.'s Reviews

Filter Avvo Reviews (32) Refine reviews to match your needs. Use the filters to quickly surface reviews that align with your case or priorities.

Showing 1 - 4 of 4 reviews | Compassion

Posted by Kimberly | May 30, 2021 | Hired Attorney | Lawsuits & Disputes

The absolute best!

Simply put, Richard Merlino is the absolute BEST! I cannot thank Mr. Merlino and his team for all the time and effort they put into my case. I never needed legal counsel before and had no idea what to do or who to call. I was referred to him by a dear and trustworthy friend. Mr. Merlino met with me... and explained what the process would involve. He also met with me several times over the course of my case. He answered any and all questions I had and put my mind at ease during the extremely stressful situation. Mr. Merlino is a straight shooter and will be honest with you about what you can and cannot expect, which is what you need from an attorney. Mr. Merlino is an extremely knowledgeable and well-respected attorney. The judge even made mention of how well-respected he is amongst his peers during my hearing. Barbara, his paralegal, is AMAZING. I will forever be grateful for what they did for me. I highly recommend Mr. Merlino as you will be in the best of hands.

Posted by anonymous | October 14, 2020 | Hired Attorney | Criminal Defense

Words are not enough to explain

Richard was the hope to my family when my options felt limited , he was there with a caring heart and not once hesitated to guide me through any Questions or concerns. If it wasn’t for Mr. Merlino I would not be a free man today. I am Forever grateful to him. His assistant Barbara was also the most ...hard working , caring and dedicated human being anyone can ever come across. If god forbid ever needed I would recommend the law office of Richard Merlino over and over again. Thank you Rich and Barbara. Our family is forever grateful

Posted by Andrea | September 25, 2020 | Hired Attorney | Lawsuits & Disputes

Best Criminal defense lawyer

I want to thank Richard and his staff for a job well done. I dont know where my son would have been today if it wasn't for Richard. All the calls, the messages and the emails, he gave us his all. Richard fought for my son Dandre he never gave up on him he crossed every T's and dot every I's. He foug...ht a good fight and the battle was won. Richard is a peoples lawyer. Barbara was on top of everything she overlooked nothing as soon as she saw a change on something she make her calls and his investigator Rob he was amazing he did everything he could have done for the case. They sit my son down and they talk to him as he was their own. My son now has become the man that you and I knew he was and D'Andre and i thank all of you from the bottom of our heart for the kindness you have shown us. Thank you for the hard work and dedication. it gives me great pleasure of recommending your firm to each and everyone who may need your services. Thank you all again.

Posted by anonymous | May 08, 2014 | Drug Crime

Best Criminal Defense Lawyer in the Tri-County Area!

My husband had two drug cases, one in Miami and one in West Palm Beach. Mr. Merlino has been a life saver and changer for my husband and our family. Not only did he save my husband from serving Jail time, but he guided him in the right direction to turn his life around. Mr. Merlino has proven to be n...ot only a great attorney, but a caring person outside the courtroom. Mr. Merlino has the confidence and strength that one needs in desperate times inside the courtroom, and out. I would recommend Mr. Merlino to anyone who is in need of a strong defense and some well deserved guidance in living on the right path.

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Richard Anthony Merlino Jr.'s Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Richard
Jonathan S. Friedman headshot
Jonathan Friedman

Criminal defense lawyer | Mar 31

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"I highly recommend Attorney Richard Merlino. I have handled numerous criminal matters with him. We have worked as co-counsel on complex criminal matters. Mr. Merlino is highly skilled and competent in his field. He is well respected among our peers and I find him to have high ethical standards. I completely endorse Richard with no reservations whatsoever."

Steven Daniel Eisenband headshot
Steven Eisenband

Criminal defense lawyer | Mar 28

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"Rich is one of the most committed and dedicated attorneys I've ever worked with. I wholeheartedly endorse Rich and his team and look forward to working with them again in the future."

Joshua Scott Danz headshot
Joshua Danz

Unknown lawyer | Mar 23

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I've known Rich for approximately six years. There are few, if any, more professional, well-respected attorneys in the courthouse. Having worked many cases against him, I can attest that Rich has an excellent reputation and knows the law as well as anyone. He's an exceptional trial lawyer who always fights for his client's best interest!"

Martin L Roth headshot
Martin Roth

Criminal defense lawyer | Mar 09

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"I endorse this lawyer. I have tried cases with Richard. He is a highly skilled trial lawyer with the ability to win cases other less skilled lawyers might lose. He is a difference maker for those who truly care about their freedom."

Richard Hartley Gaines headshot
Richard Gaines

Criminal defense lawyer | Feb 04

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I have known Rich for many years, and had the opportunity to share several clients with him. Rich is a zealous advocate for his clients, achieves great results, and the clients we shared have provided overwhelmingly positive reviews of his services. I highly recommend Rich as a criminal defense lawyer."

View All Endorsements
Joshua Scott Danz headshot
Joshua Danz

Criminal defense lawyer

Experience

Rating:  10.0 (Superb)

Honors

2017

10 Best for Client Satisfaction, American Institute of Criminal Law Attorneys

2017

Top 100 Trial Lawyers, National Trial Lawyers

2016

Top 100 Trial Lawyers, National Trial Lawyers

2015

Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell

2015

Top 100 Trial Lawyers, National Trial Lawyers

2014

Top 100 Trial Lawyers, National Trial Lawyers

2013

Top 100 Trial Lawyers, National Trial Lawyers

Work Experience

2006 - Present

Partner, VOLUCK & MERLINO, PL

1995 - 1997

Felony Trial Unit Prosecutor, Broward County State Attorney's Office

1993 - 1995

Supervisor County Court Division, Broward County State Attorney's Office

Sample of Legal Cases

STATE OF FL. V. G. PEREZ

NOT GUILTY VERDICT

STATE OF FL. V. DANIEL SCALA

Guilty of lesser included offense, Case still pending appeal

STATE OF FL. V. C. KERTESZ

HUNG JURY, CASE LATER DISMISSED

STATE OF FL. V. C. RODRIGUEZ

NOT GUILTY

U.S. V. N. THOMPSON

ACQUITTED OF ARMED TRAFFICKING

STATE OF FL. V. HASCO LOGAN

NOT GUILTY ON ALL COUNTS

STATE OF FL. V. E. SPITALIERI

Guilty of lesser: Manslaughter

STATE OF FL. V. EVERETT LEON

NOT GUILTY VERDICT, ALL COUNTS

STATE OF FL. V. A. HAMZE

NOT GUILTY OF MURDER

STATE OF FL. V. JEFFREY FRYE

NOT GUILTY VERDICT ON ALL COUNTS

STATE OF FL. V. VOLNEY MONDELUS

NOT GUILTY VERDICT

See More Legal Cases

Education

1993

Nova Southeastern University - Shepard Broad Law Center

JD - Juris Doctor

Speaking Engagements

2004

BARRY UNIVERSITY, PRE-LAW STUDIES

CRIMINAL LAW

Languages

Spanish

English

Avvo Rating

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Avvo Rating Levels
10.0 - 9.0 Superb8.9 - 8.0 Excellent7.9 - 7.0 Very Good6.9 - 6.0 Good5.9 - 5.0 Average4.9 - 4.0 Concern3.9 - 3.0 Caution2.9 - 2.0 Strong Caution1.9 - 1.0 Extreme Caution