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Ricardo Rivera
also known as Rick Rivera
About Ricardo
Biography
Rick and his wife Patricia enjoy sailing and spending time at the beach. He is an Angel Tree sponsor and former police officer. He joined the firm in 2007. For a free consultation, call.
Practice Areas
4
Practice Areas
Fees and Rates
Cost
Retainer
Always
Payment Methods
- Cash
- Check
- Credit Card
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Chat withLicenses
Licensed in Florida for 19 years
State: Florida
Acquired: 2006
No misconduct found
Location
Carlson, Meissner, Hayslett P.A.
601 N Ashley Dr #1100-1007, Tampa, FL, 33602
Carlson Meissner Hart & Hayslett P.A
250 N. Belcher Rd., Suite 102, Clearwater, FL, 33765-2622
Carlson, Meissner, Hayslett P.A.
433 8th Ave W Suite 103, Palmetto, FL, 34221
Carlson, Meissner, Hayslett P.A.
7614 Massachusetts Ave, New Port Richey, FL, 34653
Carlson, Meissner, Hayslett P.A.
5323 Spring Hill Drive, Spring Hill, FL, 34606
Carlson, Meissner, Hayslett P.A.
3443 1st Ave N, Saint Petersburg, FL, 33713
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Ricardo Rivera's Reviews
Avvo Review Score
140 Client Reviews
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Practice Areas
What Clients Mention
Case Results (124)
Recommendation (78)
Advocacy (68)
Professionalism (47)
Practice Area Knowledge (37)
Responsiveness (35)
Communication Style (31)
General Knowledge (22)
Character & Conduct (19)
Trustworthiness (18)
Cost of Services (14)
Staff & Support (13)
Compassion (8)
Punctuality (7)
Payment Plans (6)
Free Consultations (1)
Showing 11 - 15 of 37 reviews | Practice Area Knowledge
Posted by Douglas | January 14, 2019 | Hired Attorney | DUI & DWI
Savior
My lawyer was a referral from a friend and a very good choice. I was charged with driving under the influence and failure to do field sobriety which would have taken my licence away for 18 months due to previous DUI convictions .Due to my lawyers knowledge, preparation and expertise I never lost my ...
Posted by anonymous | December 21, 2018 | Hired Attorney | DUI & DWI
Miracle Worker
I blew a .013; wellabove the legal limit. I was referred to Rick by a friend; who happens to be a Clearwater Police Officer and had been involved in cases where he was amazed to see the results Rick was able to get for his clients. Rick was able to get my DUI dropped to a Reckless. Furthermore, he st...
Posted by anonymous | November 21, 2018 | Hired Attorney | Criminal Defense
Highly recommended
I was facing 2 felony charges 1 involving a firearm. I was referred to Rick Rivera by a friend who knew i was in need of a good attorney. Probably the best referral i could possibly get. Rick was extremely good at calming my nerves about the whole situation. He explained the whole legal process to m...
Posted by Cody | October 19, 2018 | Hired Attorney | DUI & DWI
Problem solver
I was in a very complicated situation in Pinellas county. I received a dui and a few other charges. Rick was able to get my other charges withheld and my dui dropped to a wreckless driving. He treated my like a real person and not a criminal! He’s very respectful in his approach. I recommend him whol...
Posted by Shawn | September 17, 2018 | Hired Attorney | Criminal Defense
Only The Best
I initially contacted Rick because my mom swears by him after he was able to get a posession charge dropped for my brother, and now I'll never go to anyone else. I first contacted him regarding two domestic battery charges that he had completely dropped, but I am most thankful that he was able to get...
Ricardo Rivera's Lawyer Endorsements
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse Ricardo. He is a highly skilled attorney that is well respected in the legal community."
"I endorse this lawyer. I worked with Rick for a number of years and he was hands down the hardest working attorney I have ever had the pleasure of working with!"
"Great attorney and a passionate advocate, I endorse this lawyer."
"Top-notch attorney. Highly respected in the legal community."
"Ricardo Rivera is a professional. He knows his stuff. He is well prepared. And he aggressively represents his clients. He knows how law enforcement operates, which makes him uniquely qualified to be an excellent defense attorney."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"Rick Rivera is a highly ethical well-respected aggressive criminal defense attorney who enjoys an excellent reputation in the legal community. He has probably accumulated more not guilty verdicts the Tampa Bay area than any other lawyer over the past five years. If you want a strong litigator who cares about his clients Rick is your attorney. I strongly recommend this lawyer."
"We recruited Rick to work at the firm because of the positive recommendadtions we recieved from trusted members of the legal community. Well, Rick has exceeded all our expectations as a criminal defense lawyer. He is without question one of the smartest, most thorough lawyers I have ever had the pleasure of working with. He has an incredible courtroom presence and his trial results reflect it. He is our rising star! He has taught this old dog new tricks. I highly endorse Rick!!!"
"Ricardo Rivera's experience from various angles of the criminal justice system is invaluable. He is an aggressive and caring attorney that will fight for your rights."
"Rick is an outstanding attorney who fights hard in and out of the courtroom for his clients. I recommend him to anyone needing an attorney for a dui or other criminal matter."
"Rick is a fine criminal defense attorney of the highest moral and ethical character. I endorse this lawyer."
"Rick is an advocate for his criminal defense clients and I am fortunate to know him. I endorse this lawyer."
"Rick Rivera is an attorney of the highest ethical and moral standards working at the offices of Carlson, Meissner, Hart & Hayslett. He is an excellent criminal trial attorney. I endorse this lawyer."
"Rick is a first-class attorney."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"Ric is very thorough in his case evaluation and trial preparation. He is an experienced, knowledgeable and no-nonsense trial lawyer who is committed to providing his clients with quality representation. I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer. Opposing lawyers shake in their loafers when Rick enters the Courtroom. Good man and a great attorney"
"As a former traffic prosecutor I handled many cases against Mr. Rivera. Mr. Rivera always "kept me on my toes" based upon his extensive knowledge of DUI law and I have personally argued against him in court as he was advocating for his client. As a former police office and public defender he knows the intricacies of DUI law and always does the best job he can for his clients."
"I endorse this excellent lawyer."
Daviana Braniff
Criminal defense lawyer
Matthew Wheeley
Social Security & Disability lawyer
John Hart
Criminal defense lawyer
Christian Denmon
Criminal defense lawyer
Todd Thurow
Criminal defense lawyer
Sarah Raaymakers
Workers compensation lawyer
Antonio Viera
Social Security & Disability lawyer
James Jenkins
Personal injury lawyer
Matthew Donaldson
Social Security & Disability lawyer
Gary Hewetson
Divorce and separation lawyer
Jason Fox
Workers compensation lawyer
Paul Meissner
Criminal defense lawyer
Casey Carlson
Workers compensation lawyer
Edward Carlson
Personal injury lawyer
Terri Cromley
Social Security & Disability lawyer
James Hayslett
Criminal defense lawyer
Deborah Moss
Criminal defense lawyer
Christopher Frey
Criminal defense lawyer
Jason Reid
Criminal defense lawyer
Experience
Honors
2019
Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
2019
AV Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
2018
Top 100 Trial Lawyers, The National Trial Lawyers
2005
Book Award (Evidence), Florida State University
2004
Book Award (Criminal Procedure), Florida State University
Work Experience
2007 - Present
Attorney, Carlson, Meissner, Hart & Hayslett
2006 - 2007
Public Defender, Office Of The Public Defender, 6th Judicial Circuit
1996 - 2001
Law Enforcement Officer, Police Department
Associations
Clearwater Bar Association
Member
American Bar Association
Member
Florida Bar
Member
Sample of Legal Cases
State v. Rich
Not Guilty after Jury Trial
State v. Meyer
Reduced To Reckless Driving, won DMV hearing sparing client from 18 month suspension.
State v. Perez
Not Guilty after Jury Trial
State v. Migliore
Not Guilty at Jury Trial
State v. Fox
Not Guilty at Jury Trial
State v. Bell
Not Guilty at Jury Trial
State v. Murphy
Not Guilty at Jury Trial
State v. Frank
Not Guilty after Jury Trial
State v. Michaud
Not Guilty at Jury Trial
State v. Schmitt
Not Guilty at Jury Trial
State v. Scholrholtz
Not Guilty at Jury Trial
State v. Manquen
DUI Dismissed during Trial
State v. Samuels
Not Guilty at Jury Trial
State v. Nortoleva
Not Guilty at Jury Trial
State v. Poole
Not Guilty at Jury Trial
State v. Cummins
Not Guilty at Jury Trial
State v. Havener
Case reduced to Reckless in the Middle of the Trial.
State v. Riccobene
Not Guilty at Jury Trial
State v. Haney
Not Guilty at Jury Trial
State v. Don
Not Guilty at Jury Trial
State v. Mazariegos
Not Guilty at Jury Trial
State v. Young
Not Guilty at Jury Trial
State v. Walker 1
Not Guilty at Jury Trial
State v. Walker 2
Not Guilty at Jury Trial
State v. Jaeck
Not Guilty at Jury Trial
State v. Stewart
Not Guilty at Jury Trial
State v. Dorn
Not Guilty at Jury Trial
State v. Smithson
Not Guilty on Manslaughter, Guilty of Misdemeanor DUI.
Education
2005
The Florida State University College of Law
JD - Juris Doctor
N/A
State University of New York
BA - Bachelor of Arts
Speaking Engagements
2017
Meeting on security issues
Stand your Ground/Self Defense
Publications
2011
6th Judicial Circuit
Young v. DHSMV
Languages
Spanish
English
Activity
Legal Answers
Legal Guides
Legal Answers
Q&A
If I have a misdemeanor warrant out of henry county ga. and live over 200 miles away in Charlton county, will police arrest me?
24 Mar 2018
Q&A
What can I do?
23 Mar 2018
Q&A
What does it mean intake unit assigned: career criminal unit 4?
24 Mar 2018