Jonathan Jay Kirschner

Jonathan Jay Kirschner

4.8
Rating: 9.8

Licensed for 41 years

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

200 S Indian River Dr Ste 200, Fort Pierce, FL

About Jonathan

Biography

Practice Areas

5

Practice Areas

Criminal Defense 50%

Ninety (90) percent of the practice is geared to criminal defense work. The remaining 10% is split among serious personal injury plaintiff's work; complex property distributions in family cases, and assorted civil litigation

41 years | 1,700 cases

50%
Sex Crime 20%

Representing the innocent and wrongfully accused in Capital Sexual Battery, Lewd and Lascivious Molestation, and child sexual abuse. Trials and appeals. Last Capital Sexual Battery trial resulted in 29 minute not guilty verdict after six (6) day trial. Team and multi disciplinary approach to defending these difficult, complex cases.

41 years | 200 cases

20%
DUI and DWI 10%

DUI practice includes "standard" DUI's; DUI'S with property damage; DUI Manslaughter cases, and vehicular homicides with EtoH involvement. I am a member of the National College of DUI Defense, an elite organzation of serios and extremely experienced DUI lawyers nationwide.

36 years | 300 cases

10%
Federal Crime 10%

Drug prosecutions, including simple possession cases, purchasing charges, sale/delivery case and trafficking allegations.

38 years | 50 cases

10%
Violent Crime 10%

Internet solicitation. Felony and Misdemeanor battery prosecutions. Assault. 1st degree premeditated murder as well as all subcategories of murder. Assaults.

41 years | 500 cases

10%

Fees and Rates

Cost

Hourly Rates

$ 375-375 per hour


Payment Methods

  • Cash
  • Check
  • Credit Card

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Licenses

Licensed in Florida for 41 years

State: Florida

Acquired: 1984

Member in Good Standing

No misconduct found

Location

Jonathan Jay Kirschner

200 S Indian River Dr Ste 200, Fort Pierce, FL, 34950-4330

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Jonathan Jay Kirschner's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

4.8 /5.0

21 Client Reviews

5 star (20)
4 star (0)
3 star (0)
2 star (0)
1 star (1)

Posted by Suzanna | January 3, 2020 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

So disappointing...

I believe Mr. Kirschner is a very intelligent, very experienced defense lawyer. The problem is, I think he's either gotten to the point where he's overworked and doesn't have time for you, or he's just starting to care less than he used to. I could be wrong; I'm not really sure what the case is. I am... sure that my husband sat in the SL County Jail for over 2 months, waiting for his attorney to arrive. I had to get a different attorney just 12 days before his hearing, because Mr. Kirschner never did appear at the jail even once to consult with his client. It was really sad, because I was out of state and couldn't do anything...in the end, I literally tried to beg him to go, but he would not respond. Mr. Kirschner has defended his actions by saying he had been on vacation, was too busy with another case, he "didn't need" to consult with his client, that my husband could have made a collect call to his office, and goes on and on about how he represented my (totally unrelated) case a few years ago, and how he represented my husband when he was initially arrested a couple years ago, and how our new attorney "let the Government persuade the Judge to issue an illegal sentence" (of course I called an appellate attorney; this was an open plea and there was no illegal sentence issued), etc etc etc, all of which have nothing to do with the blatant fact that Mr. Kirschner ignored his client. Sadly, things did not end well for my poor husband. Again, I do not know why Mr. Kirschner did this. All I can say is: "People don't care how much you know or who you know, until they know how much you care."

Posted by Spencer | October 4, 2018 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Highly recommend

Kirschner and staff has been amazing. They provided clear and specific communication, clear expectations and timely follow up. This was not normal experience for us and they understood that. They were always available to answer or follow up via phone or email. During a very stressful situation I f...elt confident with Mr. Kirschner representing us. He was very easy to work with and he went beyond what he was hired to do for my family.

Posted by Cam | March 29, 2017 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Criminal Defense Case with Jay

Throughout the entire process, Jay did a good job making me feel informed and comfortable, considering the potential consequences I was facing. I would absolutely recommend him to any person who finds themselves needing legal counsel in this county. Jay and his associates really went to bat for me, a...nd I couldn't be more thankful. Humbly and Sincerely, Cam

Posted by Tamara | December 23, 2016 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Outstanding attorney and team of professionals

I reached out to Mr. Kirschner about 10 months ago. I live in Kansas and my ex husband lives in Florida and I needed to take my ex-husband back to court to amend child support. Mr. Kirschner and his staff provided excellent communication, detailed information of what they needed me to provide and was... able to resolve the issue without me or my ex-husband having to go to court. They are a very knowledged staff, very helpful and in my opinion very entertaining I truly enjoyed the experience as in most cases dealing with legal issues with child support is not. I appreciate all they have done and will use Mr. Kirchner and his staff in the future and would highly recommend them to anyone.

Posted by Pam | May 23, 2016 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

The best, honest, sincere and thorough

Well, once again I had the need to contact Mr. kirshner with my son's heroin legal problems. He was honest, upfront, kind and honest. I have used Mr. Kirshner twice before where he was able to plea the case in my son's best interest. If I had not known better, I would have thought he was magic. A...s of this writing Mr. kirshner will have some more magic to perform. He is simply the best. Second to none.

See All Client Reviews

Jonathan Jay Kirschner's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Jonathan
Peter Thomas Gianino headshot
Peter Gianino

Criminal defense lawyer | Mar 04

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

Nicole P Menz headshot
Nicole Menz

Criminal defense lawyer | Mar 04

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

Leatha Dawn Mullins headshot
Leatha Mullins

Appeals lawyer | Mar 02

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. Mr. Kirschner has great success and ability in criminal defense, divorce, civil, and appellate work. He has successfully argued cases before the appellate courts."

Lance Paul Richard headshot
Lance Richard

Criminal defense lawyer | Mar 01

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"I highly endorse and recommend this lawyer. Jay is a great lawyer and a real fighter. He is Board Certified, extremely credentialed, and well versed in the law. He is well respected by other lawyers, judges, and those working in the legal profession. I was so impressed by his trial skills that I recently asked him to co-counsel with me on a complex racketeering case."

Jeffrey Paul Battista headshot
Jeffrey Battista

Criminal defense lawyer | Feb 28

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Let's face it. Lawyers in Florida are a dime a dozen. Cheap polyester suits, Big promises that always seem to fall short. How can you tell you're associating yourself with the right legal representative? Take a look at what his associates say. I've known Mr. Kirschner for over ten years, and have had the pleasure of working with him, and even working against him as a former prosecutor. Bottom line is the guy's an old school pro. Much smarter than the majority of the legal community around him, and with the respect of everyone in the courthouse from judges down to the cleaning staff. If my own mother were arrested, his office is my first stop. I heartily endorse this lawyer."

Edward Joseph Mosher headshot
Edward Mosher

Criminal defense lawyer | Feb 28

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. He is an exceptional advocate for his clients and is tireless in his pursuit of justice."

Hugo Javier Concha headshot
Hugo Concha

Criminal defense lawyer | Oct 06

Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

"I highly endorse this lawyer. During the 18 years that I served as Criminal Trial Prosecutor / Assistant State Attorney for the State of Florida, I met and dealt with thousands of attorneys, and the truth is that Mr. Jonathan Jay Kirschner is amongst the very best attorneys. He is always well prepared, and his tremendous experience together with his excellent personality is the reason why he is one of the very best attorneys in the State of Florida."

David Golden headshot
David Golden

Criminal defense lawyer | Oct 04

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. I have known Jay since 1986 and he has always been, and continues to be a brilliant criminal defense attorney."

Bryce A. Fetter headshot
Bryce Fetter

Criminal defense lawyer | Oct 02

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

James Regan headshot
James Regan

Divorce and separation lawyer | Mar 18

Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

"I endorse this lawyer. When I was a prosecutor, I always found Jay to be jovial, knowledgeable and reasonable. Now, as a fellow attorney in the same community, I find Jay to be a great resource of information and good spirits."

Ronald B. Smith headshot
Ronald Smith

Criminal defense lawyer | Oct 17

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I have been a criminal lawyer for about 30 years; eight of those as a prosecutor and about twenty as a criminal defense lawyer. I have known Mr. Kirschner for at least twenty years; as a fellow attorney and neighbor and friend. When my older son was charged with a minor criminal offense, I contacted Jay Kirschner and asked if he would represent him. My son and I were completely satisfied with the outcome of that case. I have had the opportunity to observe Jay Kirschner inside the courtroom and he is an excellent trial attorney. He has common sense and is able to have successful discussions with prosecutors prior to proceeding to a jury trial. I've retained him before and would not hesitate to retain him again. You can't do much better."

T. Charles Shafer headshot
T. Shafer

Criminal defense lawyer | Feb 22

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer's work. I have known Mr. Kirschner since I began practicing in 1986, and he is one of the brightest legal minds in our area, both in trial and appellate litigation. He also genuinely cares about his clients, a missing attribute for most lawyers."

View All Endorsements
James P. Loring headshot
James Loring

Criminal defense lawyer

Lance Paul Richard headshot
Lance Richard

Criminal defense lawyer

David Golden headshot
David Golden

Personal injury lawyer

Bryce A. Fetter headshot
Bryce Fetter

Criminal defense lawyer

James Regan headshot
James Regan

Criminal defense lawyer

Experience

Rating:  9.8 (Superb)

Honors

2014

AV Rated, Martindale-Hubbell

2014

Board Certified - Criminal Trial, Florida Bar

2013

Av Rated, Martindale-Hubbell

2012

AV Preeminent 5.0 out of 5 Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell

1994

Board Certified - Criminal Trial, Florida Bar

Work Experience

1989 - 2007

Managing Partner, Kirschner & Garland, P.A.

1984 - 1988

Assistant, Chief Assistant, and Deputy Public Defender, Office of the Public Defender

Associations

Florida Bar Association

Member

National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers

Member

National College of DUI Defense

Member

Sample of Legal Cases

Judge's ruling allows comedians to release video accusing Port St. Lucie man of molestation

INJUNCTION DISMISSED

State of Florida vs. Juan Jose' Farias

15 Year Sentence and Conviction Reversed on Appeal

State of Florida vs. C.G.

DUI Reduced to Traffic Ticket

State of Florida vs. Marlon Morgan

Nine Felony Charges Dismissed

State of Florida vs. Harold Mikel

Defendant Found Not Guilty of Trafficking.

State of Florida vs. Traci DiGiorgio

NOT GUILTY

State of Florida vs. Anthony Maffia

NOT GUILTY

See More Legal Cases

Education

1981

Franklin Pierce Law Center

JD - Juris Doctor

1977

Florida State University

BS - Bachelor of Science

Speaking Engagements

2016

Circuit-wide meeting

Current issues in trial tactics

2008

Florida 19th Circuit Public Defender's Office Circuitwide Presentation

Trial Tactics and Methods

2001

19th Circuit Family Law Update

Equitable Distribution Developments

1998

Building a Better Defense V

"Practical and Esoteric Chapter 893 Issues

1997

Florida 19th Circuit Public Defender's Office Circuitwide Presentation

Double Jeopardy/ Evolution and Recent Developments

1995

Florida Public Defender Association Summer Conference

Presenting Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Defense at Trial

Publications

2010

4th District Court of Appeal Reporter State of Florida vs. Juan Jose' Farias (4-DO-406)

2010

4th District Court of Appeal Reporter R.N., a child, vs. State of Florida (4-DO-1194)

1980

New Hampshire Bar Journal, Vol. 21, Number 3 The Probable Cause Requirement in Custodial Detentions

Languages

English

Activity

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Avvo Rating Levels
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