Attorney Profile

Richard D. Leal, Esquire

After studying oceanography and working in the construction of offshore oil and gas facilities all over the world for ten years, Rick earned his law degree from Stetson College of Law in 1993. As an intern at the State Attorney’s Office during law school, Rick began honing his trial skills even before completing law school.

Upon his graduation, Rick worked as an Assistant State Attorney for the next eight years, handling the prosecution of many murder, rape, robbery, child abuse, drug, DUI, and domestic violence cases. Rick also served as the Chief of County Court, responsible for the training and supervision of every prosecutor and every DUI case in county court.

After eight years spent handling thousands of criminal cases, Rick went into private practice as a criminal defense attorney with a well-respected local firm. In 2007, after six more years of criminal defense experience, he opened his own criminal defense practice dedicated to providing the best possible and most aggressive defense for those accused of criminal offenses. Using his experience as the State’s former prosecutor, Rick is able to spot the weaknesses in any prosecution's argument. He builds strong cases that protect his clients' rights and defend their best interests.

Rick has tried well over 100 trials to verdict before a jury, and has the skill and experience to make the best of any defense available. Because Rick is fluent in Spanish, he is better able to understand and communicate with his Hispanic clients than others who must depend upon an interpreter.

Admissions

• 1994, Florida

Education

• Stetson University, J.D., 1993
• Florida Institute of Technology, B.S., 1979

Membership

• The Florida Bar

Get the legal help you need now

If you are facing a criminal charge in Florida, it is important to secure legal representation immediately. Regardless of the severity of the charge, retaining a competent attorney ensures that you protect your rights. A charge is not a conviction, and choosing the right attorney can make a significant difference in the outcome of your case. Read our article to find out what a Tampa criminal attorney does, then call the Florida criminal law firm of Richard D. Leal at (813) 425-1076 or contact the firm online today.