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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 26 - 30 of 37 reviews | Practice Area Knowledge
Posted by Casey | August 11, 2017 | Hired Attorney | Criminal Defense
Fantastic
Rick did exactly what he said he would do, and had my charge reduced from a serious offense to a minor infraction, saving me from a lot of potential troubles with work and school. Rick knows what he's doing, and I'd recommend him to anyone who needed an attorney in this field.
Posted by Colleen | May 16, 2017 | Hired Attorney
Excellent Representation
Mr. Rivera was extremely attentive and well versed in the issues pertaining to my case. He was at every hearing along with compassionately guiding me through the complicated process. I could not have asked for better representation. I refer Mr. Rivera to anyone I know who is having any legal issue...
Posted by Dylan | May 10, 2017 | Hired Attorney | DUI & DWI
Excellent Attorney
Rick is a shark in the courtroom. He handled multiple dui cases. One of them even got a not guilty in Trial. I didn't have to constantly harass him to get anything done. He did exactly what he said he would do. I was never out of the loop and he was quick to respond to every concern. I highly recomm...
Posted by Ken | April 20, 2017 | Hired Attorney | DUI & DWI
Superb Attorney - Highly Recommend
Thankfully, I hired Rick while facing a DUI charge that would result in a lifetime revocation of my license due to multiple convictions. First off, Mr. Rivera was able to win the DMV admin hearing and secure my driving license regarding the mandatory suspension for refusal to submit to the breathalyz...
Posted by James | April 12, 2017 | Hired Attorney | Speeding & Traffic Ticket
Best Lawyer in Pinellas
Rick has been my lawyer for the last 15 years. He has protected my rights in a number of traffic citations, including a DUI case that I felt to be illegitimate. Rick has secured favorable outcomes in each and every case he has worked on for me. His knowledge of the nuances of the law, and his abil...
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