Matthew Slack | Sarasota Criminal Defense & Family Law Lawyer

• Florida Criminal Defense Lawyers
• Stetson College of Law Alumni
• Tampa Bay Attorney Network

• Cum Laude - Stetson University College of Law
• Magna Cum Laude - University of Florida

We were able to build a successful practice by being honest, communicating with our clients, and exhaustively looking at every aspect of a case. How important is local knowledge to the success of your cases? Local knowledge is incredibly important. Knowing a particular judge's quirks and idiosyncracies can be a decision maker in a case. Likewise, knowing the particular prosecutor or opposing counsel is key to ensuring the best resolution and how far to push an issue. Please describe a case(s) in the last year or two where you made a big difference. A young mother was recently facing a potential life sentence for armed kidnapping. After depositions and discussions with the prosecutor, our firm was able to convince the State to drop the charges down to a misdemeanor battery and probation. In the end, she was able to keep her child, job, and freedom.

Clients should look for a lawyer who is upfront and honest. Lawyers will often make promises that seem too good to be true, and those promises usually are. Clients should also look for a lawyer who they are comfortable with. Even if the lawyer is allegedly the ""best in town"", if you are personally not comfortable with that lawyer, then the relationship will likely be a strained one. What differentiates you from other lawyers in your community? I would like to think that I am different from other attorneys in the area because of my honesty. I, for better or worse, will be bluntly honest with a client. It does not benefit me or the client to hedge around the truth or ignore talking about major issues. I have extensive trial experience from my work with the State Attorney's Office and am completely comfortable in court.

Depending on the complexity of the case, I can generally provide a pretty good outline of the stages of a case. I can provide insight as to the strengths and weaknesses in a case. While in-person consultations are always preferred, if the case is relatively simple, a phone consultation can provide the same amount of depth as the in-person interview.

I need the obvious things like the subject matter of the case (criminal, family, etc.), your name, if the case is new or pending (if it is pending, where?), and what outcome are you seeking. The less obvious things are what are the other parties' names, history between you and those parties, how did the case come about, and facts that may be in reports and those that are not.

First and foremost, I get to help people at times when it is often one of the lowest points in their life. It is rewarding to know that I can help them with whatever trouble or problem they may find themselves in. My job is also challenging and ever-changing which makes it interesting and exciting.

I enjoy many pursuits outside of the world of law. I enjoy reading a lot - mostly non-fiction books. I also enjoy playing games, playing the guitar, and enjoying the company of my family.