Felony Charges
Felony exposure changes everything about how a case is handled. Preparation starts immediately, not at the first court date.
Former Prosecutor | U.S. Air Force Veteran
Criminal Defense Attorney Serving Manatee, Sarasota & Charlotte Counties
Protect Your Record, Your Freedom and Your Future.
A criminal charge in Manatee, Sarasota and Charlotte Counties puts your record, your job and your freedom in the same conversation. Attorney Jesse MacGyver Morse provides strategic, personalized criminal defense for people throughout Sarasota and the surrounding Manatee, Sarasota and Charlotte County communities, with big-firm experience and direct access to the attorney handling your case.
- Former Prosecutor
- U.S. Air Force Veteran
- Direct Attorney Access
Former Prosecutor
Served as a prosecutor in Pinellas County.
U.S. Air Force Veteran
Six years of service as an Intelligence Analyst.
Direct Attorney Access
You work with Jesse, not an intake team.
Big-Firm Experience
Sophisticated experience, boutique-level attention.
Attorney Jesse MacGyver Morse
Experience From Both Sides of the Courtroom
I served as a prosecutor in Pinellas County, where I saw how the government builds and evaluates criminal cases, how charging decisions are made, how officer reports are written and where the weaknesses tend to be.
Before that, I spent six years in the United States Air Force as an Intelligence Analyst. That work was built on preparation, analysis and attention to detail, and it is the same approach I bring to a criminal file.
I also spent time with a major plaintiff-side firm handling personal injury matters, so I know how large firms operate. When you hire my firm, you work directly with me, not a case manager, not a call center.
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Charges We Defend
Criminal Matters Handled in Manatee, Sarasota and Charlotte Counties
Misdemeanor Charges
A misdemeanor still becomes a permanent record that employers and landlords can see. It deserves a real defense.
Drug Charges
Possession, paraphernalia, sale and trafficking cases often turn on the search, the stop and how evidence was handled.
Theft & Property Crimes
Retail theft, grand theft, burglary and criminal mischief allegations frequently rest on identification and intent.
Assault, Battery & Domestic Allegations
These cases move fast and carry no-contact orders. Context and witness accounts matter from day one.
Probation Violations & Warrants
Violations carry different rules than a new case. Addressing a warrant proactively is almost always better than waiting.
What You're Facing
A Criminal Charge Moves Faster Than Most People Expect
- The State decides what to file before you ever see a courtroom.
- Your first court date arrives while you are still gathering information.
- Employers, landlords and licensing boards may all be part of the fallout.
- The paperwork you were handed contains deadlines that are easy to miss.
How I Approach It
Insider Knowledge. Personalized Representation.
- Review the stop, the search and how the officer documented all of it.
- Examine the evidence, the witnesses and whether procedures were followed.
- Engage the State early, before and after the filing decision.
- Explain your realistic options in plain language, no guarantees, no pressure.
The Difference
Why Clients Choose J. MacGyver Law
Former Prosecutor
Understanding how cases are evaluated, filed and prosecuted from the inside.
Direct Attorney Access
Clients work personally with Jesse MacGyver Morse throughout the case.
Big-Firm Experience
Sophisticated experience without being treated as another case number.
Military Discipline
A background built around preparation, analysis and service.
Local Florida Representation
Serving Manatee, Sarasota and Charlotte counties and the surrounding communities.
Felony & Misdemeanor Defense
From first arrests to serious felony exposure across the Gulf Coast.
Criminal Cases Don't Usually Get Easier With Time.
Speak directly with J. MacGyver Law about your arrest, the charges you are facing and the options available to you.
Simple Process
How It Works
- 01
Schedule Your Free Consultation
Call the office or complete the short form. It takes a minute.
- 02
Discuss Your Situation
Talk through the allegations, your concerns and the options available to you.
- 03
Build Your Defense Strategy
If representation is appropriate, we develop a strategy for moving forward.
Local Representation
Serving Clients Throughout Manatee, Sarasota and Charlotte Counties
Criminal charges along this stretch of the Gulf Coast can begin with a traffic stop, a call to a residence, an argument that got out of hand or a knock on the door weeks after the fact. Felony and misdemeanor cases move through the Manatee, Sarasota and Charlotte County courthouses, and the earliest decisions in a case are often the ones that matter most.
J. MacGyver Law provides personalized criminal defense representation to individuals and families in Sarasota, Bradenton, Venice, North Port, Punta Gorda and nearby Manatee, Sarasota and Charlotte County communities. Cases are typically handled through the Sarasota County Judicial Center, the Manatee County Judicial Center in Bradenton and the Charlotte County Justice Center in Punta Gorda.
Jesse MacGyver Morse
Criminal Defense Attorney
Sarasota Office
J. MacGyver Law
6601 S. Tamiami Trail #164
Sarasota, FL 34231
6601 S. Tamiami Trail #164
Sarasota, FL 34231
- Hours
- Calls answered 24/7. Consultations by appointment.
- Court
- Appears in Manatee, Sarasota and Charlotte Counties courts, the Sarasota County Judicial Center, the Manatee County Judicial Center in Bradenton and the Charlotte County Justice Center in Punta Gorda.
- Consultation
- Free, confidential case review with the attorney.
Counties served
- Manatee County
- Sarasota County
- Charlotte County
Fax: 813-725-3761
Criminal Defense in Florida
What Happens After an Arrest in Sarasota
An arrest is not a conviction, and it is not the end of the story. In Florida the arrest is only the beginning. The State Attorney's Office reviews the report and decides what, if anything, to formally charge, which is why the first days after an arrest carry so much weight.
The stop, the search and the report
Most cases begin somewhere specific: a traffic stop, a call to an address, a search of a vehicle or a home. Whether that contact was lawful, and how the officer described it afterward, is part of the case.
The pre-file window
Between the arrest and the filing decision there is a real opportunity to provide context, witnesses or documentation that the report never captured. That window closes quietly if no one uses it.
Statements and interviews
Anything you say can be used, and explanations offered in good faith often become the strongest evidence against a person. Counsel first, conversation second.
Court dates and conditions of release
Bond conditions, no-contact orders and probation terms all come with rules that are easy to violate by accident in Manatee, Sarasota and Charlotte County. Understanding them early keeps a difficult situation from becoming a second case.
This page is general information, not legal advice, and no outcome is promised or implied. Every case turns on its own facts.
Common Questions
Criminal Defense Questions We Hear in Sarasota
How much does a consultation cost?
Consultations are free. You can call the office or send a short message, and we will set up a time to talk through what happened and what your options may be.
Will I speak directly with the attorney?
Yes. When you hire J. MacGyver Law, you work directly with Jesse MacGyver Morse, not a case manager or an intake team. Direct attorney access is one of the main reasons clients choose a boutique firm.
How quickly should I contact a criminal defense attorney?
As soon as you reasonably can, ideally before you speak with law enforcement again. Evidence, witnesses and filing decisions move quickly, and early involvement gives your case the most room.
I was arrested but not charged yet. Does that matter?
It matters a great deal. In Florida the State Attorney's Office decides what charges to file after the arrest. That pre-file window is often the best opportunity to present information before a formal decision is made.
Should I talk to the police if they contact me?
You have the right to counsel and the right to remain silent. Speaking without an attorney present rarely helps and often creates statements that follow the case. Get advice first.
What kinds of criminal cases do you handle in Manatee, Sarasota and Charlotte Counties?
Felony and misdemeanor matters including theft and property crimes, drug charges, assault and battery, domestic violence allegations, weapons charges, probation violations, resisting and warrant issues.
Will my case go to trial?
Most cases resolve before trial, but preparation drives the outcome either way. A case built as if it will be tried is a case negotiated from a stronger position.
What should I bring to my consultation?
Bring anything you were given at the time of the arrest, the charging paperwork, any notice about your court date and the names of any witnesses. If you do not have any of it, we can still talk.
What areas of Florida does J. MacGyver Law serve?
The firm serves clients throughout Sarasota, Bradenton, Venice, North Port and the surrounding Manatee, Sarasota and Charlotte County communities, with offices in Sarasota and St. Petersburg.
Your Next Step Starts With a Conversation.
Whether you're facing a first arrest, a felony charge, a probation violation or an investigation in Sarasota, J. MacGyver Law can help you understand your options.