Jeffrey Thompson | Melbourn Criminal Lawyer

I recently represented a young veteran who suffered with PTSD from his service in Afghanistan. His wife (now his ex-wife) severely limited the amount of time he could spend with his young daughter and wanted his time-sharing to be supervised. I was able to get him unsupervised and equal time-sharing, and his demeanor after the trial changed dramatically. He went from depressed and nearly hopeless to jubilant and excited at the opportunity to be the best father possible to his baby girl.

First and foremost, by being honest with my clients. I'm not in the business of raising my clients' expectations, or scaring them, or pursuing unattainable goals that bring in large legal fees but ultimately accomplish nothing. I try always to give my clients practical advice, advice they can use, and advice that lets them evaluate their legal positions and make sound, reasonable decisions. Hiring a lawyer for a criminal case or a family law matter can get expensive, and there is a lot at stake, so I want my clients to feel secure and confidant that their lawyer is genuinely looking out for their best interests.

Experience is very important, and perhaps the most important qualification clients should look for in a lawyer. Integrity is also critical, so clients should always check the Florida Bar website (floridabar.org) to find out if the lawyer has been disciplined for unethical conduct in the last 10 years.

I only practice in Brevard County because I know all of the judges, most of the prosecutors, and almost all of the other family law attorneys. I also know all the family law mediators and magistrates. Lawyers who venture outside the counties where they normally practice are often at a disadvantage.

I normally discuss the basics in terms of the law and how it applies to the client's case, I try to determine the client's goals and objectives, and I offer possible strategies for attaining those goals. If a client has goals that are unrealistic or, conversely, too narrow, I will talk about other possibilities the client may not have considered. In a criminal case, I discuss defenses and evidentiary motions that may be available, potential and likely penalties, and overall defense strategies. In all cases, I discuss attorney's fees and costs and provide the client with a written fee agreement.

I need the client's contact information, of course, and I need to have a brief description of the client's case, the names of the parties involved (to avoid any conflict of interest), and what the client is looking for from a lawyer.

My experience, my honesty, and my integrity. That's not to say there aren't many excellent lawyers in Brevard County with experience, honestly and integrity, but those are my core qualifications.

Helping people get through one of the scariest, most difficult ordeals they'll ever face. Any time a person finds himself or herself in court, whether to answer a criminal charge, dissolve their marriage, or get custody of a child, the stakes are high and the anxiety can be even higher. Guiding clients through the process, letting them see there's light at the end of the tunnel, and helping them realize their goals, continues to make the practice of law very rewarding to me.

My family, my hobbies, traveling, Duke basketball and Florida football (with apologies to Florida State fans!).

Throughout my career, I have been very active in both the legal community and in the community at large. I am a past-president of the Brevard County Bar Association, a former board member of Brevard County Legal Aid, and a former member of the local attorney Grievance Committee. I'm also a past-president of the Central Brevard Sharing Center and I volunteered for many years with the United Way of Brevard. In recent years I have cut back some on my volunteer hours, but I still accept cases from Brevard County Legal Aid and, most recently, I joined a lodge of the Loyal Order of the Moose!

• Board of Directors, Brevard Police Athletic League, Inc., 2007 - Present
  Member, Rockledge Rotary Club, 1999 - 2014
  President, Brevard County Bar Association, 1996 - 1997
  President, Central Brevard Sharing Center, Inc., 1990 - 1991
  Board of Directors, Brevard County Bar Association, 1990 - 1997
  Board of Directors, Brevard County Legal Aid, Inc., 1990 - 1995
  Board of Directors, Central Brevard Sharing Center, Inc., 1989 - 2006
  Formem Member, Florida Bar, Attorney Grievance Committee

• Kathy King Community Impact Volunteer Award, United Way of Brevard County, Inc., 2008
  Community Service Award, Brevard County Bar Association, Inc., 2004
  Outstanding Service Award, Cocoa High School Student Government Association, 1993
  Pro Bono Service Awards (7), Brevard County Legal Aid, Inc.

• In re: International Medical Centers, Inc., 604 So.2d 505 (Fla. 1st DCA 1992) Jory v. State, 647 So.2d 152 (Fla. 5th DCA 1994), rev'd per curiam, 668 So.2d 195 (Fla. 1996) Gauthier v. Florida Real Estate Com'n, 654 So.2d 580 (Fla. 5th DCA 1995) State v. Ross, 792 So.2d 699 (Fla. 5th DCA 2001)

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