Lewis HiceAs a car enthusiast, it’s second nature to me to be careful on the road, no matter what. It’s how I can keep doing what I love without injuries or losing my life in the process.
Meanwhile, one of my close friends isn’t in that headspace yet. He’s a good guy in other ways, but he was a real pain when he called me one night, saying he got pulled over for a DUI case.
I almost pretended I didn’t know him, but pity got to me. After searching for a while, I eventually helped him get a reliable criminal defense lawyer in Jacksonville. Here are the top ones we considered.
How much does a criminal defense lawyer charge in Jacksonville?
Criminal defense lawyers in Jacksonville typically charge between $150 and $500 per hour. This depends on the lawyer’s experience, the severity or complexity of your case, and other extra fees.
1. Janet E. Johnson, P.A.
Address: 3219 Atlantic Blvd
Contact details:
- +1 904 820 3455
- +1 904 927 2537
Business hours: Open 24/7
Janet E. Johnson, P.A., is a criminal defense lawyer who won’t give you the usual cookie-cutter legal advice. Having over 30 years of experience, she’s an expert with the smallest details for legal preparations and courtroom readiness.
When it comes to actual cases, she offers a decent range of services. This goes from felony and misdemeanor cases to DUI and trial representation.
What really stood out to us, though, is her hands-on approach. People we talked to appreciate her consistency in working with them directly, rather than passing them on to her junior staff—something that typically happens with bigger firms.
She’s also known to take on a manageable caseload. This way, she can give each client the personalized attention they need.
If you plan to visit in person, her office is in the center of town, making it highly accessible. Just be prepared for a bit of a wait now and then, since her firm is smaller than several others, which limits her consultation availability from time to time.
Excellent in their pursuit of justice on my behalf
“Mrs. Johnson, Tori, and Laura were excellent in their pursuit for justice on my behalf. They fought diligently to get me into a program that would get my DUI charges dropped. I’m more than happy with this Law Firms services and Janet would call me personally to explain everything and answer any questions I had. If I could I would give them more than 5 stars”
– Patrick Spencer, Google Review
Always had great communication and was very diligent
“Can’t really put into words how thankful I am for Mrs. Janet. She truly fought tooth and nail for me. She told me from the beginning what she was going to do and we achieved our goal. Always had great communication and her team is very diligent. Do not hesitate to hire her! 5 stars easily”
– Ajala Collins, Google Review
2. Rainka Law, LLC
Address: 301 W Bay St, 14th Floor, EverBank
Contact details:
- +1 904 906 2154
- +1 904 329 7245
- [email protected]
Business hours: Open 24/7
Besides being a licensed defense attorney in Florida since 2011, Michael J. Rainka boasts a great track record. He has handled a variety of cases, so you can hire him for traffic offenses to more serious felonies.
But rather than spreading himself thin, he focuses on criminal defense and DUI or DWI defense. It’s impressive to us that his specialization lets him customize his strategies more to those who truly need serious representation.
His efforts even translate to excellent professionalism and responsiveness. Previous clients mentioned how easy it is for them to get a consultation.
And during these sessions, Michael clearly explains possible outcomes and walks patrons through their options step by step. All this led them to getting lighter sentences than expected.
That said, it can be challenging to reach him late in the day, though his operating hours say he’s available 24/7. This is why it’s best to call him in the morning for a higher response rate.
Explained everything clearly and remained patient throughout
“If you’re looking for someone who truly knows what they’re doing, then Rainka Law is who you need to reach out to. Even when I was frustrated and impatient, uncertain about the outcome of my case, Rainka guided me down the correct path, explained everything clearly, and remained patient throughout the entire process. In the end, they were able to get my DUI case dropped. Great service at a fair price don’t hesitate to contact Rainka Law.”
– Eric Sabato, Google Review
Did a great job from beginning to end
“Mr. Rainka and his team did a great job from beginning to end with the best results you can get! He’s my first call for legal assistance. Thanks, Mike, excellent work!”
– Jon Bell, Google Review
3. Dale Carson Law
Address: 444 E Duval St, Third Floor
Contact details:
- +1 904 355 6777
- [email protected]
Business hours: Open 24/7
Conveniently located in downtown Jacksonville, Dale Carson’s criminal defense firm brings together a team of highly experienced attorneys.
Many of them have handled thousands of hearings and negotiations, so they’re very comfortable dealing with judges, prosecutors, and police.
Before opening his own practice, Carson served as an FBI agent, so he knows exactly how cases are built from the inside. That background gives him a good feel for how police and prosecutors think, and how to spot weak points in the evidence.
That’s why a lot of people turn to him for help for a wide range of criminal matters, including DUI and DWI cases. He and his team are even used to stepping in early for bond hearings, licence issues, and plea talks, not just showing up on trial day.
But what we like most about their work is their aggressive defense while staying transparent. They’ll fight for dismissals or reduced charges, but they also lay out the realistic outcomes and sentencing ranges so you’re not working off false hope.
A few patrons we spoke to also commended how informative they are, with the team taking time to explain options so they weren’t left guessing about what might happen next.
Nevertheless, there are times when their high-stakes cases delay minor ones. This potentially extends waiting times if you only need help with misdemeanors or simpler issues.
Exceeded my expectations in a timely manner
“Dale Carson Law was great. I called them for a traffic ticket and they said they would call in approximately a month. I was sent an email in a month, they also followed up with a phone call after email was sent to see if I had any questions. The ticket was already taken care of without having to go to court. They exceeded my expectations. They followed through in a timely manner. I would definitely use them again. Highly recommended.”
– Jacqueline Weber, Google Review
Saved me so much in time, money, and headaches
“Thank you so much Mr Carson for the Great service that you and your team provide. You’ve made it so easy with just one phone call and one email. You’ve saved me so much, in time, money and headaches. I could never thank you enough. Please keep up the Fantastic work.”
– Allen Williams, Google Review
4. Kate Mesic, P.A.
Address: 6550 St Augustine Rd, Suite 305, St. Augustine Commons
Contact details: +1 904 615 8950
Business hours: Open 24/7
Kate Mesic, P.A., runs a woman-led firm that many clients turn to when they feel most vulnerable and want a firm representation. She takes time to understand how the situation is affecting your life before mapping out a strategy.
Her people-first mindset also extends to the actual legal work. She handles both misdemeanors and felonies, guiding clients through everything from initial investigation and negotiations to courtroom representation when a trial becomes necessary.
Despite a packed schedule, clients also talk about how quick she is to respond. They mentioned that calls and emails were returned faster than they expected, with clear case updates rather than vague reassurances.
The only drawback for us is that her small operations don’t always provide a slot for an urgent case.
Best team to have by your side
“Very professional and understanding!! Straight forward and honest! If you’re in a dark place Kate can find you the light! Her assistant Victoria is great too. Best team to have by your side!! Thank you so much”
– Jacob Kegley, Google Review
Extremely helpful from the very first interaction
“Law Offices of Kate Mesic was extremely helpful from the very first interaction with them. I promptly received a call from Kate; she listened to my “dilemma” and stated that she can definitely help. Victoria, who is her assistant, was polite and helpful; she kept me abreast of every step pertaining to my traffic violation case. I thought the entire process would take at least couple of weeks, but to my disbelief, it only took three days! As you can imagine, I was pleasantly surprised. I am extremely grateful for their legal advice, and for settling this case in my favor. Thank you once again for helping me out; it is immensely appreciated.”
– Konrad Murak, Google Review
5. James Davis, P.A.
Address: 340 E Adams St
Contact details: +1 904 358 0420
Business hours: Open 24/7
James Davis, P.A., may have more of a boutique setup, but he’s not one to be belittled.
Besides his 25 years of defense experience, we had a chat with several people who rave about how he fights hard without making them feel judged, even when the facts aren’t in their favor.
The process of getting his services is stress-free, too. He’s quite flexible with consultations and tries to work around his clients’ schedules, which takes some pressure off when you’re already stressed about charges.
We also know he’s reliable to fight for you in court when things escalate. You can go to him for a good number of felonies—even drug trafficking, gun charges, and homicide.
But if there’s something he can improve on, it’s hiring more people at his centrally located office. With a small team, there are times when scheduling and callbacks can lag during busy periods.
A man of integrity and intelligence
“James Davis is an excellent lawyer who makes you feel comfortable as he guides you through the court process. He’s a man of integrity, intelligence and was highly recommended to me. Anna Beyer was also great in his office.”
– William Brickse, Google Review
Super nice, personable, and fantastic at what they do
“James and Anna are AMAZING!!! They’re both super nice, personable, and fantastic at what they do! Fairly priced and James works with you on payments. Did I mention FANTASTIC at what they do? James got the charges completely dropped for both my husband and I, no parole, no probation, no court fees, we didn’t even have to appear at either of our hearings! We just paid him, and he completely took care of us worry free! Thank you James & Anna!!!”
– Dorothy Howard, Google Review
