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Steven R. Tinsley
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Steven R. Tinsley
Tinsley Criminal Defense Team
1422 E Osceola Pkwy
Kissimmee, FL 34744
Phone: (407) 933-2020 | Fax: (407) 933-4555
http://www.yourside.com
Aggressive, Smart Defense for Over 21 Years
Legal Topic
Criminal Defense
Preferred New Clients
The Tinsley Criminal Defense Team aggressively defends people who are accused of crimes.
Sub-Categories
Criminal Defense
- Aiding, Abetting, Accessory, Conspiracy
- Capital Crimes/Capital Cases
- Environmental Violations
- Felonies
- Juvenile Crimes
- False Identification
- Truancy
- Misdemeanors
- Probation
- Perjury
- Plea Negotiation
- Search & Seizure
- Victims' Rights
- Animal Abuse
- Child Abuse
- Domestic Violence
- Elder Abuse
- DUI
- Felony Auto Accidents
- Traffic - Moving Violations
- Open Container
- Driving with a Suspended License
- Driving without a License
- DWI
- Hacking
- Malicious Code
- Unauthorized Access
- Expungement or Expunction
- Drug Cultivation & Manufacturing
- Drug Possession
- Intent to Distribute Drugs
- Intent to Sell Drugs
- Medical Marijuana
- Constitutional Rights Defense
- Illegal Possession or Transportation
- Other Weapons & Devices
- Bank Fraud
- Checks & Credit Cards
- Corporate Espionage & Sabotage
- Embezzlement
- Forgery
- Identity Theft
- Insider Trading
- Insurance Claims
- Money Laundering
- Public Offerings
- Racketeering & RICO
- Securities Fraud
- Smuggling
- Wire Transfer
- Arson
- Burglary
- Embezzlement
- Larceny
- Theft
- Trespass
- Vandalism
- Abduction
- Child Abuse
- Child Pornography
- Indecent Exposure
- Prostitution, Solicitation, & Pandering
- Rape
- Stalking
- Trafficking in Women
- Assault & Battery
- Domestic Violence
- Extortion
- Kidnapping
- Manslaughter
- Murder
- Robbery
Bar Admissions
FL, Jul 1986
Bar Number: 578649
Other Court Admissions
All attorneys associated with the Tinsley Criminal Defense Team are admitted to the Florida Bar. Joanne Tinsley is also admitted to the Middle District Court of Florida.
Association Memberships
I am a member of the Florida Bar Association, the Osceola County Bar Association and the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.
Continuing Education
I attend continuing legal education courses specifically designed for criminal defense attorneys. I have always exceeded the number of continuing legal education hours required by the State of Florida and I have never attended a course that did not benefit at least one client.
Papers and Publications
I have written several articles and I write all of the articles providing free legal advice on the firm web page and on the firm brochures.
Example Cases
I have defended cases from the smallest misdemeanors up to two second degree murder cases. I am not death penalty certified and never intend to be. If you visit my office, however, you will see a collection of over 230 VHS DUI video tapes in addition to a stack of DUI CD's/DVD's about two feet deep. Only approximately half of my DUI cases have had any kind of video. While I defend a large number of DUI cases and a wide array of other traffic cases, I have successfully defended clients on charges of domestic battery, sexual battery (rape), child sex crimes possession, sale and trafficking in drugs, as well as white collar crimes, financial crimes, fraud and theft.
Education
Degree:
Juris Doctor
School:
Washburn Law School
City:
Tokepa
State:
KS
Year:
1985
Degree:
Bachelors of General Studies
School:
University of Michigan
City:
Ann Arbor
State:
MI
Year:
1983
Number of Attorneys
Information coming soon.
State Licensed In
Florida
Firm Focus and History
I have focused on criminal defense as the single largest area of my practice since 1988. I decided to restrict his law practice to criminal defense in 1996 and I formed the Tinsley Criminal Defense Team in 2004.
The attorneys at the Tinsley Criminal Defense Team are reminded every day that anyone can be accused of a crime. The allegations do not have to be true, they only have to convince the officer who is taking the report. As such, an arrest is the end result of a decision made by a human being acting on information provided by other humans. A criminal charge incorporates the sum of all of the strengths and weaknesses that humans bring to all of their activities. What the lawyers from the Tinsley Criminal Defense Team cannot agree upon is who in is in most need of an aggressive, intelligent defense. Is it the person who has been falsely accused or the person who has been correctly accused? Until there is a satisfactory answer to that question, the Tinsley Criminal Defense Team has resolved to provide each client with an aggressive, intelligent defense.
Previous Employment Summary
I began my legal career as a prosecutor in the Ninth Judicial Circuit. In that time, I handled over 2,000 cases. I left the state and I've been defending persons accused of crimes since 1988.
Activities and Awards
I am a member of the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and I was an instructor at the Kissimmee Police Academy. I am also a Former President of the Osceola County Bar Association.
What is your opinion regarding clients educating themselves on legal issues?
Contrary to what they say on Law and Order, the police do not have to read any rights to anyone. Police officers are experts when it comes to inducing people into making statements. They have studied the rules regarding the admissibility of evidence and they practice various techniques for getting information out of people who know that they have the right to remain silent. The average defendant does not know the rules or even what the issues are. There are people who insist that they have cleverly talked their way out of trouble with investigating police officers, but they are in the minority. When a person who is under investigation talks to a police officer, that person is playing games with an expert who is not playing games.
The lawyers at the Tinsley Criminal Defense Team believe that more information is always better than the alternative. An aggressive defense lacking intelligence is a pathetic sight. The issue for the non-lawyer, however, is whether he or she has acquired all of the information relevant to the case. Two of the hardest decisions for an attorney to make when researching an issue are deciding if he or she has found all of the relevant exceptions and when to stop the research. How can a layperson make those decisions? If the layperson gets it wrong, he or she is going to have a very bad day in court. Self education is the American way. Self defense is an act of desperation or self abuse.
Are you willing to review documents prepared by clients?
I am more than willing to review documents prepared by clients if they are willing to listen to advice.
Are you willing to coach clients who want to represent themselves?
I am more than willing to coach a person in self representation, as long as I don't have to watch the case or hear about it afterward.
Why did you decide to be a lawyer?
Lawyers are professional problem solvers. I have always felt that a career centered on fixing problems will always be fulfilling as well as interesting.
What work experience and education helps you be a better lawyer?
I like almost everyone I meet. This attitude makes it very easy for me to fully focus on how best to solve my client's problems.
Why did you decide on your primary area of practice?
I defend persons accused of crimes because they are the people in most need of help.
What do you like best about your career?
As a criminal defense attorney, I hear the very best stories. The cases are never boring and the issues are never trivial.
Tell us about your law firm:
Joanne Tinsley is a Team attorney. While in the U.S. Army, she spent three years in Belin in signals intelligence. She is probably the toughest one in the firm. Diego is the senior secretary and he hates it when he is called the secretary. He runs the office and we would be lost without him. He is about to finish his undergraduate degree and he intends to go to law school. He will be very welcome to return to the office after he finishes his law degree. Ashley is a legal secretary and receptionist. She is primarily responsible for maintenance of the office calendar which means that she is the person responsible for makings sure that everything is scheduled and organized.
What are your strengths and style?
The Tinsley Criminal Defense Team is goal-oriented. We have found that an aggressive defense is typically the best initial approach. The key to an effective defense, however, is an intelligent plan well executed.
Personal Interests:
I am an avid poker player, but I'm smart enough to realize that Joanne Tinsley is a much better poker player. I play guitar, and as an act of public service, I'm careful to insure that otherwise innocent bystanders are not exposed to my playing.
Office Manager/Assistant
Senior Legal Assistant, Ashley Utecht: Receptionist, Michelle Grabowski: Office Manager
Fax
(407) 933-4555
Office Hours
Monday through Friday
8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Evening and weekend appointments available upon request.
For emergency after hours, call (407) 931-0550
Emergency After Hours
Yes
Foreign Languages
Spanish.
Fixed-Price Services and Fees
The Tinsley Criminal Defense Team charges a minimum fee of $3,500 for a first time misdemeanor DUI. All other fees are negotiable.
Hourly Rates
We never charge hourly rates.
Free Initial Consultation?
A free consultation is always available in every case. The consultation will last as long as necessary to answer all questions. A second free consultation is not unusual.
Typical Retainer
I don't have a typical retainer except for DUI cases.
Nolo's Licensing Check
Attorneys have passed a licensing check. Nolo has confirmed that every member attorney has a valid license and is in good standing with the applicable bar associations upon joining the directory.
Directory lawyers are required to notify Nolo immediately if they become the subject of any disciplinary action by any bar association.
