Brett McIntosh
Services Handled
About
A question that I am often asked is "Why have you dedicated so much of your career to defending criminals?"
The answer is this. First, experience has proven to me that many people who find themselves arrested or accused of a crime are hardworking, decent people who have made a mistake. Often these mistakes are the end point of complex and difficult circumstances in a person’s life that have ultimately led to an error in judgment. For these individuals, the unfamiliar process of an arrest can be particularly stressful and confusing. These individuals need help navigating the dark waters of the Court process and this turbulent time in their life. With proper guidance and representation, these persons will return to being the productive citizens and family members they have been and that they want to be again. There will always be plenty of people to cast stones at the accused. However, it is my belief that being an effective advocate for the person in this circumstance benefits us all.
Second, experience and raw statistics has also proven that there are many more people who are falsely accused of crimes than most people will ever realize. In my years practicing law, I have seen false or mistaken accusations leveled at my clients by strangers, friends, family members, domestic partners, employers, employees, and law enforcement. Too often these accusations result in an arrest and irrevocable damage to the accused. I take pride in knowing that I have helped individuals fight back when faced with false or mistaken accusations and that I have played a role in restoring freedom and reputation to those who might otherwise have met a different plight.
Finally, I enjoy a good challenge. I represent people and my goal is to not allow my clients to be steamrolled by a system that too often devalues personal rights in the pursuit of security. I have spent my entire life and over 20 year professional career in this community.
My philosophy in creating McIntosh Law was to build a firm dedicated to personalized, superior, results-oriented representation. I believe in supporting this philosophy by surrounding myself with dedicated professionals with strong community ties.
There are well over 150 completed criminal trials amongst the attorneys at McIntosh Law. Each attorney has handled all manner of misdemeanor and driving offenses as well as serious and complex felony cases. Not only do we have experience “handling" these cases, we have experience winning them.
Not Guilty verdicts for our clients have included DUI, DUI with Accident and Personal Injury, Battery, Trespass, Assault, Aggravated Assault with a Firearm, Drug Possession, Trafficking, Aggravated Battery, Sexual Assault, Attempted Murder, DUI Manslaughter, Second Degree Murder, and others.
I am not going to send you a flier in the mail to tell you how aggressive we are. In Mexico, I learned that bulls are aggressive in the ring but they most often lose to the matador. Our approach to your case will be individualized and based upon what our experience dictates will achieve the best results for you.
Brett McIntosh is a trial attorney and member of the Florida bar since 1993. He is also licensed to practice in the Federal Court of Florida's Middle District.
Areas of Practice
- Criminal Law
Bar Admissions
- Florida, 1993
- U.S. District Court Middle District of Florida, 1995
Education
- Nova Southeastern Law University, Fort Lauderdale, Florida
- J.D.
Honors and Awards
- Jim Slater Award for Professionalism for Criminal Law -- Voted by Judges of the 12th Circuit which includes Sarasota, Manatee & Desoto Counties, 2015
Publications
- "The Runaway Train". Article on Gang Related Rico prosecutions in State Court. Florida Defender Magazine.
Specialized DUI Training
- Two-time graduate of National College of DUI Defense intensive Summer Session presented at Harvard Law School.
- Axion analytical lab training 40-hour intensive course on Forensic Chromatography (blood testing ).
- NHTSA Certification in Field Sobriety Testing Procedure. Over 40 hours of additional DUI-specific CLE credit.
Past and Present Professional Memberships & Associations
- National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
- Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
- Past President Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers Sarasota Chapter
- Chapter Representative Manatee County Florida Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys
- Manatee County Bar Association
- Sarasota County Bar Association
- Inn of Court Sarasota
- National College of DUI Defense
- Peer Review BV Rated Martindale Hubble.
Legal Commentary or Analysis Provided to -
- Court TV
- Local affiliates for ABC & Fox
- SNN
- Sarasota Herald
- Bradenton Herald
- Guest Editorialist Sarasota Herald,
- ME TV Panelist: Youth Sports & Juvenile Crime
A Seasoned Criminal Defense Team Trusted By Thousands
Five-Star Reviews from Clients Like You
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"Highly Recommend"Very thorough thru my whole case. He advised me on what I should do to be proactive in my case and I did most of what I could and he made it happen. The unbelievable happen. I have been to prison 3 times, latest not too long ago. He not only got prison off the table but got me a downward departure and kept me at home with my family. I highly recommend using him in any criminal case you may find yourself in.- AVVO Reviewer - Joe H.
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"Superb results with Mr. McIntosh"Getting myself into trouble was quite embarrassing not to mention humiliating and expensive. It became a fearful, nervous, stressful time in my life, From the very minute I contacted Mr. McIntosh, I felt a sense of calmness and relief. He and his entire staff were always very patient, informative, and accommodating in every way. I grew up in Manatee County with Brett. He has always had a high moral standard. His reputation is remarkable. I'm forever grateful to Mr.McIntosh for getting me results that are more realistic and manageable.- AVVO Reviewer - Wanda
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"Brilliant, dedicated, reliable, and honest attorney"Mr. Brett McIntosh knew exactly what he needed to do in order for justice to prevail in my case. I'm convinced he absolutely had a game plan right out the gate to prove my innocence and restore my name. He answered all my questions promptly and honestly and knew exactly what needed to be done to have my false charges against me dismissed. Mr. McIntosh gave me my life back and I would give him 10 stars on here if I could. I'm 100% convinced he would make sure that the legal system is fair and that none of his clients would be taken advantage of by the legal system or false accusations. His incredible amount of experience (28 years) and knowledge of the law is second to none. Thank you SIR for giving me my life back. Don't take a chance and hire the absolute best....Mr. Brett Donald McIntosh.- AVVO Reviewer
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"A++"My family hired Brett McIntosh for my son's criminal defense. He was everything one would hope for in a criminal defense attorney...not only was he knowledgeable, professional and experienced, he has an easy-going manner that is so pleasant and compassionate. We are grateful we found him!- AVVO Reviewer
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"Highly Recommended ,10 stars!"My family originally hired Brett in 1999 for serious charges, state was offering 17 years. I will never forget the day when Mr. McIntosh asked me" would you like to take the states offer or should I prepare for trial"? Without hesitation I said, " prepare for trial", that's how much faith and trust i have in Brett. Mr. McIntosh and his dedicated staff put their heart and soul in my case (which took about 2 years) had a trial jury and won! I now have my own "statue" that people in my position can use in court. Brett is one of the best trial attorneys I have ever seen, he faught for me like I was his own daughter. Just recently ,2019, I found myself in a little bit of trouble my first instinct was to call Brett and without hesitation he was there for me and everything went in my favor. I personally have a special bond with Brett. God and Brett worked together and saved my life in 1999. This is the man to go to if you have any criminal charges. He will work for you like no other attorney will, he is highly respected and to be honest I think a lot of attorneys are afraid or maybe intimidated to go up against him. When you hire Brett and he tells you something and I know it's hard but just believe what he says because he's honest , upfront and to the point. He will always be my Attorney and I'm actually going to be working with him on something in a few months. Brett is a wonderful man, his staff is wonderful and are on every detail. This attorney, Brett McIntosh, is the best attorney from Charlotte to Manatee county. Good luck to everyone!- AVVO Reviewer - Nicole
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"The man"Bret is the best attorney for criminal defense in manatee and sarasota counties. I was wrongfully accused and Bret took the challenge to go up against a police dept. Bret was more than fair when it came to price. Bret treated me like a friend, he took his time learning about the case from both sides. He also seemed to enjoy going to trial and standing up for what was right and THAT is why he is the best. He's passionate about righting the wrong. Not matter how big or small your case is, Mr. Mcintosh will approched it with confidence and certain type of "swag" that everyone in the room respects.- AVVO Reviewer - Jarrod
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"Brett gave me my life back"Brett came highly recommended to me by several other lawyers whom I hold in high regard. Brett was more than fair in his fees and he even charged me significantly less than the price we agreed on. He leveled with me on exactly what to expect each step of the way and never gave me false hope. Brett countered negotiations with the state to make a deal but I ultimately didn't feel comfortable accepting and Brett supported my decision. He told me what to expect if we went to trial and what the repercussions could be if things didn't go my way. I was terrified but continually reassured by those I know in the business that I had the right guy in my corner. I was also nervous at the notion of testifying but Brett gave me confidence to do so. On the day of trial Brett picked up on even the subtlest of inconsistencies and mounted an excellent defense on my behalf. Even up until the end of the trial, it seemed as if the verdict could go either way, but Brett's closing statements to the jury were incredibly compelling and ultimately landed a not guilty verdict. Brett isn't only a damn good lawyer, he's a damn good man and I am forever grateful for his services- AVVO Reviewer - Travis
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"The best criminal defense lawyer in Florida"
During a difficult time in my life, I had the support of knowledgeable and aggressive attorney. Mr. McIntosh always kept me aware of the circumstances of my case and helped me to make the best choices with consequences that I could live with. I would highly recommend Mr. McIntosh to anyone who needed an honest attorney. I hope I never need an attorney again, but if I did Mr. McIntosh would be the first person I would call.
- AVVO Reviewer