Mr. Derek Byrd specializes in Criminal Law and is Board Certified by the Florida Bar as a Criminal Trial Attorney. This is the highest level of recognition given by the Florida Bar. Board Certification is based on competency & experience within a defined area of law.
Derek Byrd was born and raised in the Sarasota/Bradenton area. Derek grew up watching his father defend high profile criminal cases in the old Sarasota County Courthouse. His father’s legal skills and the excitement surrounding the legal system inspired Derek to become a criminal defense attorney. Derek graduated with honors from Sarasota High School in 1986; he was also voted “Most Likely to Succeed".
Derek graduated from Florida State University in 1990 with a B. A. in Criminology. He earned his Juris Doctorate Degree from Quinnipiac College of Law in Hamden, Connecticut in 1995 graduating cum laude (top 5% of his class). While in law school, Derek Byrd concentrated his studies on criminal and trial law. He served as Notes and Comments Editor for the Law Review Journal and worked as an Assistant Clerk for Federal District Judge, Honorable Janet Arterton.
After being admitted to the Florida Bar in early 1996, Derek went to work for the Public Defender's Office in Sarasota, where he gained extensive and valuable trial experience. He opened his private criminal law practice in 1998. Derek Byrd has defended over 2,000 criminal cases and over 95% of his practice is devoted to criminal defense.
Derek Byrd served as President of the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, Sarasota Chapter, from 1999-2001 and he is currently Sarasota County's Chapter Representative for the statewide organization. He is also on the Board of Directors for the Sarasota County Bar Association. In addition to being admitted to practice in all State Courts, Derek Byrd is admitted to the Federal Court for the Middle District of Florida.
Since 2006 through the present, Derek Byrd has been recognized by Super Lawyers as one of the top lawyers in the nation.
Derek Byrd Belongs To:
- The Florida Bar Association
- Sarasota County Bar Association
- National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
- National Trial Lawyers Association
- Judge Frank Scheb American Inn of Court
- Who's Who in America
Mr. Derek Byrd Specializes in the Following Cases:
- DUI
- Drug Offenses
- Sex Crimes
- Assault/Battery
- Theft/Burglary
- Domestic Violence
- Murder/Manslaughter
- Probation Violations