Melissa Wilson Photo
  • Bio

Melissa A Wilson

Founder of Advocate Law Firm, P.A.

Whether I am handling same-sex divorcepersonal injury, or criminal defense matters my end goal is always the same: to provide the high-caliber legal representation my clients need and deserve. As a Bartow divorce attorney with over 20 years​​​​ of experience, I am completely dedicated to the needs of my clients.

Unlike lawyers at large firms who are impersonal and too busy juggling large caseloads, I strive to provide personal attention and prompt communication to all my clients. Whenever you need me, I am here for you.

Our Mission Statement

I approach each case in my care with tenacity and determination. The moment you hire me, I roll up my sleeves and begin working on a results-driven strategy that factors in your unique needs. If your case needs to be resolved in court, I will fiercely safeguard your rights, from start to finish.

I am not challenged by the nature of any case or criminal charge and offer consultations regardless of the seriousness of the allegations or claim. I have represented many clients in jury trials and trials before the court giving me the foundation to assess and manage your case, from intake through trial, and offer you the peace of mind of knowing that you are represented by an experienced litigator.

My practice is dedicated to the following areas:

Bar Admissions

  • Connecticut - 1998
  • Florida - 1999

Education

  • Quinnipiac University, J.D. - 1998
  • University of Central Florida, B.A. - 1994

Media Appearances

  • Court TV - Guest Commentator, "Best Defense"

Memberships

  • Vice President of the Polk Association For Women Lawyer
  • Member of the Keiser University Legal Studies Academic Advisory Board

I recognize that clients facing criminal charges, family matters or an injury are often under extreme stress. I am here to offer my guidance and sound advice while protecting your rights and your best interest.

Real Results We Have the ExperienceYou Can Count On
  • Client charged with Burglary of a Residence found Not Guilty.

    According to law enforcement officers, the Defendant kicked down the door of his ex-girlfriend and hit her. The Defendant was charged with Burglary of her residence and was also facing a violation of felony probation. After a jury trial, the Defendant was found Not Guilty and was found not to be in violation of his felony probation.

  • Client Charged with DUI and Driving with No Valid Driver’s License found Not Guilty.

    According to law enforcement officers, on December 23, 1995, the 15 year old Defendant, who did not have a valid driver’s license, borrowed a car of one of her friends. While in a Publix Supermarket parking lot, the Defendant was driving the car in circles and upon seeing one of her friends, drove towards her friend. Due to the consumption of an excessive amount of alcohol, law enforcement claimed that the Defendant lost control of the car, and after her friend got out of the way in the nick of time, Defendant smashed the car she was driving into another vehicle in the parking lot. A few minutes before this accident, a Publix employee noticed the Defendant when she attempted to use the store bathroom, and described her condition as visibly intoxicated. A few minutes after the accident, police responded to the Publix parking lot, where they found the Defendant visibly intoxicated and arrested her for DUI and No Valid Driver’s License. A Breath Test showed that Defendant’s Blood-Alcohol level was approximately .175 g/ml, which is more than two times the legal limit in Florida of .08 g/ml. Following a jury trial on both charges, Defendant was found Not Guilty.

  • Client charged with Trafficking in Cocaine found Not Guilty.

    According to law enforcement, after the police executed a search warrant at the defendant’s residence, the defendant was charged with Trafficking in Cocaine. According to the police, the Defendant was selling narcotics out of his residence. During the search of the residence by the police, more than 20 grams of crack cocaine was found underneath the defendant’s bed. Following the discovery of the narcotics, the Defendant admitted to law enforcement, on three separate occasions, that the drugs belonged to him. (Defendant gave an oral confession, a taped confession, and a second oral confession to a Drug Enforcement Agency Officer, all basically stating that he was selling the drugs and the drugs were his). After a trial before a Jury, the Defendant was found Not Guilty.

  • Client Charged with Sale of Cocaine, Possession of Cocaine with Intent to Sell & Possession of Marijuana with Intent to Sell, Found Not Guilty.

    According to police, on August 12, 2005, a Detective from the Miami Dade Police Department was conducting surveillance in a high crime area. The detective personally observed the Defendant engage in five separate drug transactions, over an approximate half hour period. After the fifth transaction, the officer had his back up team move in to arrest the buyer and the Defendant (seller). Narcotics were found on the buyer and money was found on the Defendant (seller). Following a two and half day jury trial, the Defendant was found not guilty on all charges.

  • Client charged with First Degree Murder and Armed Carjacking Found Not Guilty.

    Shortly after midnight on November 15, 2001, an individual was shot in the head and killed. According to law enforcement investigators, three individuals were talking in the parking lot of an apartment complex, when the Defendant and a Co-Defendant confronted them at gun point and demanded the keys to one of the individuals’ vehicles. After being unable to start the vehicle the assailants had carjacked, the three individuals ran, at which point the Defendant shot one of the individuals in the head, killing him. After successfully severing the trials of the Defendant and Co-Defendant (meaning a separate trial for the Defendant and Co-Defendant) and after keeping out of evidence, testimony regarding traces of gun shot residue found on the defendant’s hand as well as an incriminating letter alleged to have been written by the Defendant, the case proceeded to a jury trial. After a week long trial, Joshua Schoen and his co-counsel, were able to convince a jury that the Defendant was Not Guilty of First Degree Murder and Armed Carjacking. In a separate trial of the Co-Defendant, who was represented by an attorney from another law firm, the Co-Defendant was found Guilty of both First Degree Murder and Armed Carjacking and was sentenced to life in prison. Click Here to View Trial Report

  • Client Charged with Sale of Cocaine, Possession of Cocaine, Possession of Illegal Liquor, Possession of Beverage Sold Without a License.

    According to law enforcement, a week before Defendant’s arrest, an undercover police went inside a convenience store, and in the back of the store, the officer purchased cocaine from the Defendant. So as not to disclose his status as an undercover police officer, the police did not arrest the defendant until a week later. Immediately prior to trial, the State dismissed the charge of possession of beverage sold without a license. Following a jury trial on the remaining three charges, wherein the undercover officer testified in open court that the individual he purchased the cocaine from was the defendant, the jury found the Defendant Not Guilty of the remaining three counts, including the charge of Sale of Cocaine.