Jacksonville Criminal Defense Lawyer

Why Korody Law for Jacksonville Criminal Defense

Most criminal defense attorneys in Jacksonville handle cases. Korody Law handles cases differently. Founding attorney Patrick Korody spent 10 years on active duty in the Navy JAG Corps — as a military prosecutor, a federal Special Assistant United States Attorney, a state prosecutor, and a senior defense counsel. He has tried more than 50 jury trials to verdict. He has represented clients in every type of case the criminal justice system generates — from misdemeanor traffic offenses to capital murder to federal healthcare fraud.

That background — prosecutor, federal government attorney, military judge advocate, and aggressive defense lawyer — gives Korody Law a perspective that purely defensive practices cannot match. We know how prosecutors build cases, what evidence they prioritize, what arguments move judges, and where the weaknesses in even the strongest government cases can be found and exploited. That knowledge drives our defense strategy in every case we handle.

Since 2015, Korody Law has been based in Jacksonville — serving clients throughout Northeast Florida in Duval, Nassau, Clay, St. Johns, and surrounding counties. We also appear in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida in Jacksonville and, with local counsel, in federal courts across the country. We are not a volume practice. We are a results practice.

Criminal Defense Practice Areas

Korody Law handles the full spectrum of state and federal criminal charges in Jacksonville and Northeast Florida. Here is an overview of our core practice areas and the specific issues each raises.

Target Letters and Federal Criminal Investigations

A federal target letter is a written notice from the U.S. Attorney's Office informing you that you are a target of a federal grand jury investigation — meaning the government has substantial evidence that you committed a federal crime and may seek an indictment against you. Receiving a target letter is one of the most alarming moments in anyone's life. It is also, potentially, one of the most important opportunities to influence the outcome of a federal case before formal charges are filed.

Do not respond to a target letter on your own. Do not contact the U.S. Attorney's Office directly. Do not agree to speak with agents "to clear things up." And do not ignore it. A target letter requires immediate engagement of experienced federal defense counsel who can evaluate the situation, advise on the appropriate response, and — in some cases — engage proactively with the government before an indictment is returned.

Jurisdictions We Serve in Northeast Florida

Korody Law represents clients charged with state and federal crimes throughout Northeast Florida. Our Jacksonville office is centrally located for representation across the region — and we travel to court wherever our clients need us.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Should I talk to police before hiring a lawyer?
  No — not under any circumstances involving a potential criminal charge. Police officers are not required to tell you they are building a case against you during an "informal" conversation. Anything you say can and will be used in prosecution. The Fifth Amendment gives you the absolute right to remain silent. Exercise it. Do not attempt to explain yourself, provide an alibi, or cooperate in the hope that it will help. It almost never helps — and it frequently creates the government's best evidence. Call Korody Law first.
• What is the difference between a misdemeanor and a felony in Florida?
  In Florida, misdemeanors are offenses punishable by up to one year in county jail. Felonies are more serious offenses carrying potential state prison sentences — ranging from up to five years for a third-degree felony to up to life or death for a capital felony. Beyond the sentence, a felony conviction in Florida has profound collateral consequences: loss of civil rights (including the right to vote and possess firearms), mandatory sex offender registration for certain offenses, immigration consequences, and loss of professional licenses. Fighting felony charges is not optional — the stakes demand it.
• Why is federal court more serious than state court?
  Federal prosecution brings resources that state prosecution rarely matches — FBI, DEA, ATF, and other federal agencies with years of investigation behind them, federal sentencing guidelines that often produce significantly longer sentences than state court, and a conviction rate exceeding 90%. There is also no parole in the federal system — federal sentences are served at a minimum of 85%. Early and aggressive defense is critical in federal cases, and pre-charge intervention — before an indictment is returned — can sometimes prevent charges from being filed at all.
• What is a grand jury subpoena and do I have to testify?
  A federal grand jury subpoena compels your appearance and — in most cases — your testimony. However, you have the right to assert your Fifth Amendment privilege against self-incrimination for any question where your answer might tend to incriminate you. You also have the right to retain and consult with an attorney before and during the grand jury proceeding, though the attorney cannot be present inside the grand jury room. If you receive a grand jury subpoena, contact Korody Law immediately — the decision of how to respond requires careful legal analysis of your specific situation.
• Can evidence be suppressed in my criminal case?
  Yes. Evidence obtained in violation of the Fourth Amendment (unreasonable search or seizure), Fifth Amendment (compelled self-incrimination), or Sixth Amendment (right to counsel) may be suppressible — meaning it cannot be used against you at trial. Successful suppression of key evidence — a confession, drugs found during an illegal search, a firearm seized without probable cause — can dramatically change the trajectory of a case, often resulting in reduced charges or dismissal. We analyze every case for suppression opportunities as a first-priority defense task.
• What happens if I am convicted — can I appeal?
  Yes. State court convictions in Duval, Nassau, Clay, and St. Johns counties are appealed to the First District Court of Appeal, and ultimately to the Florida Supreme Court or the U.S. Supreme Court on federal constitutional questions. Federal convictions in the Middle District of Florida are appealed to the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals, and then to the U.S. Supreme Court. Grounds for appeal include legal errors at trial, constitutional violations, ineffective assistance of counsel, and newly discovered evidence. A well-preserved trial record — one built by experienced trial counsel — is the foundation for every effective appeal.
• Does Korody Law handle cases outside Jacksonville?
  Yes. We handle criminal cases throughout Northeast Florida — Duval, Nassau, Clay, St. Johns, Putnam, and Flagler counties — and in the Middle District of Florida for federal matters. We also appear with local counsel in federal courts across the country. For military criminal cases, we represent service members at installations worldwide. Contact us regardless of where your case is pending — we will assess whether and how we can represent you effectively.