A criminal charge in Naples is prosecuted by the State Attorney’s Office for the Twentieth Judicial Circuit and heard at the Collier County Courthouse in East Naples. Misdemeanors go to County Court, felonies go to Circuit Court, and some cases end up in federal court. The Naples attorneys below defend clients from first arrest through trial, and many are former prosecutors who know how Collier County cases are built. This guide to the Best Criminal Defense Lawyers in Naples, FL helps readers explore local legal representation.
1. The Caldarone Law Group, P.A.
- Attorney: Justin P. Caldarone, Esq.
- Address: 2500 Airport Road South, Suite 307, Naples, FL 34112
- Phone: (239) 420-7205
- Website: caldaronelawgroup.com
- Practice Focus: Amputation, Arson, Battery, Bicycle Accident, Birth Injury, Boat Injury, Bribery, Burn Injury, Car Accident, Catastrophic Injury, Child Abuse, Commercial Vehicle Accident, Criminal Defense, Distracted Driving Accident, Dog Bite, Domestic Violence Defense, Driving Without License, Drug Crime, Drug Possession, Drug Trafficking, Drunk Driving Accident, DUI, Elderly Driver Car Accident, Escape Charges, Expungement, Fleeing and Eluding, Gun Crime, Head Injury, Homicide, Insurance Claims, Juvenile Crime, Kidnapping, Leaving the Scene of an Accident, Medical Malpractice, Medication Error, Motorcycle Accident, Negligent Security, Pedestrian Accident, Perjury, Personal Injury, Post-Conviction, Premises Liability, Probation Violation, Product Liability, Prostitution, Resisting Arrest, Rideshare Accident, Robbery, Sex Crime, Spinal Cord Injury, Swimming Pool Injury, Theft, Traumatic Brain Injury, Trespassing, Truck Accident, Violent Crime, White Collar Crime, Workers’ Compensation, Wrongful Death, Uber Accident
- Experience: Former Assistant State Attorney, Miami-Dade County; J.D., Northeastern University School of Law (2002); admitted in all Florida state and federal courts, the Eleventh Circuit, and the U.S. Supreme Court
- Memberships: NACDL, FACDL, Collier County Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, Collier County Bar Association
- Languages: Spanish and Haitian Creole spoken
- Google Rating: 5.0 ★ (70 reviews)
- Google Business Profile: View on Google Maps
- Social Profiles: Facebook | LinkedIn | X | Instagram
About: The Caldarone Law Group, P.A. defends state and federal charges through its Naples criminal defense practice, covering DUI, drug, sex, violent, white collar, and juvenile cases. Justin P. Caldarone earned his B.A. (1993) and M.A. with honors (1999) from Pepperdine University and his J.D. from Northeastern University School of Law in 2002. He began as an Assistant State Attorney in Miami-Dade County, trying hundreds of misdemeanor and felony cases as lead counsel, and has also worked as an insurance defense lawyer. He scrutinizes every case for unlawful searches, improper questioning, and whether the facts fit the charge. The firm’s case results include not guilty verdicts in a DUI and a domestic violence battery case, and he volunteers with Teen Court of Collier County and takes Guardian ad Litem cases. Readers comparing the Best Criminal Defense Lawyers in Naples, FL can consider The Caldarone Law Group, P.A. and its documented criminal defense experience.
2. Law Offices of Cavanaugh & Cavanaugh, P.A. (DUI Law Group)
- Attorneys: Daniel M. Cavanaugh, Shayna K. Cavanaugh
- Address: 2180 Immokalee Rd, Suite 309, Naples, FL 34110
- Phone: (239) 309-2006
- Website: cavanaughattorneys.com
- Practice Focus: DUI, drug crimes, felonies, sex crimes, violent crimes, weapons, white collar, juvenile
- Experience: Former prosecutor in Lee County and Chief Assistant State Attorney for Hendry and Glades Counties; ACS-CHAL Forensic Lawyer-Scientist (2022); 50+ years combined experience
About: Daniel M. Cavanaugh moved to Naples in 1997 and has tried cases for more than 25 years. Before defense work he prosecuted special victims cases in Lee County, served as Chief Assistant State Attorney for Hendry and Glades Counties, and trained prosecutors and police in Florida and Vermont. He earned the ACS-CHAL Forensic Lawyer-Scientist designation in 2022 and holds an AV Preeminent rating. The firm, which includes Shayna K. Cavanaugh and Ricardo A. Casasola, handles DUI, drug, sex, violent, weapons, white collar, and juvenile charges across Naples, Fort Myers, Bonita Springs, and Marco Island, and Spanish is spoken.
3. Verderamo Law
- Attorneys: J. Derek Verderamo, Adam Carney
- Address: 2662 Airport-Pulling Rd S, Naples, FL 34112
- Phone: (239) 775-1004
- Website: verderamolaw.com
- Practice Focus: DUI, drug charges and trafficking, assault and battery, domestic violence, gun charges, juvenile, probation violations
- Experience: Trial-focused criminal defense and personal injury firm with offices in Naples and Fort Myers
About: Verderamo Law is led by J. Derek Verderamo and Adam Carney and represents clients in Naples, Bonita Springs, Estero, Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Immokalee, Lehigh Acres, and Marco Island from offices in Naples and Fort Myers. Derek Verderamo previously practiced as a partner at Verderamo & Nunez and Verderamo & Escobar and belongs to the Collier County and Florida criminal defense lawyers associations. The firm keeps dedicated pages for more than 20 criminal charges, from DUI and drug trafficking to probation violations and bond reductions. It stresses a willingness to take cases to trial, offers free confidential consultations, and has a Spanish-language page.
4. Day, Gorman & Hopkins, PLLC
- Attorneys: Donald P. Day Jr., Thomas R. Gorman III, Michael E. Hopkins
- Address: 3550 Tamiami Trail E, Naples, FL 34112
- Phone: (239) 529-6053
- Practice Focus: Criminal defense, DUI, white collar, juvenile, appeals, personal injury
- Experience: All attorneys are former Twentieth Circuit prosecutors; Thomas Gorman holds an AV Preeminent rating
About: Donald P. Day Jr., Thomas R. Gorman III, and Michael E. Hopkins all prosecuted cases for the Twentieth Judicial Circuit before turning to defense, and their office sits within walking distance of the Collier County Courthouse. Thomas Gorman earned his J.D. in 2006, holds an AV Preeminent rating, and reports that the Law Office of Donald P. Day was named Law Firm of the Year by the Legal Aid Service of Collier County. Donald Day has been recognized among The National Trial Lawyers Top 100, and Michael Hopkins by Naples Illustrated Top Lawyers. Reviewers describe a two-day trial acquittal and dismissals of major charges.
5. Law Offices of Jose Nunez, Jr.
- Attorney: Jose Nunez, Jr.
- Address: 3606 Enterprise Ave, Suite 226, Naples, FL 34104
- Phone: (239) 260-4699
- Practice Focus: Criminal defense, DUI, domestic violence, violent crimes, drug charges
- Experience: Former Assistant State Attorney in Naples and Fort Myers; former partner at Verderamo & Nunez; member of FACDL, NACDL, and CCACDL
About: Jose Nunez, Jr. was born to Cuban immigrant parents and grew up in Naples. As an Assistant State Attorney in Naples and Fort Myers he handled thousands of misdemeanors, tried felony cases, and averaged about one jury trial a month, with an emphasis on DUI and battery. He then spent four years as a partner at Verderamo & Nunez before opening his own firm. He belongs to FACDL, NACDL, and the Collier County Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, and reviewers note his respected presence before Collier County judges and prosecutors.
6. Musca Law
- Attorney: John Patrick Musca and team
- Address: 3375 Tamiami Trail E, Suite 200, Naples, FL 34112
- Phone: (239) 793-5297
- Practice Focus: Criminal defense, DUI, sex crimes, white collar, expungement
- Experience: Statewide defense firm; describes 150+ combined years of experience; answers calls 24/7
About: Musca Law, led by John Patrick Musca, is a statewide criminal defense firm that describes more than 150 combined years of attorney experience. It has two Naples offices, on Tamiami Trail East and Davis Boulevard, and its phones are answered by a person around the clock, including weekends. Its listed practice includes DUI, sex crimes, white collar crime, and expungement. Google reviewers mention dismissed charges, license suspensions overturned, and affordable payment plans.
7. Timothy E. Moffitt, Esq., LLC
- Attorney: Timothy E. Moffitt
- Address: 501 Goodlette-Frank Rd, Naples, FL 34102
- Phone: (239) 298-6538
- Practice Focus: Criminal defense, DUI, drug crimes, domestic violence, criminal appeals
- Experience: Florida Bar member; handles felonies, misdemeanors, and appeals
About: Timothy E. Moffitt (Florida Bar No. 613711) accepts felony and misdemeanor cases and also handles civil, criminal, and federal appeals. His listed criminal practice covers drug crimes, DUI, domestic violence and injunctions, fraud, gun, internet, sex, theft, and violent crimes, plus expungement. Google reviewers describe quick, clear communication and note that he resolved court matters without requiring them to travel to Naples.
8. Nico J. Vitale, P.A.
- Attorney: Nico J. Vitale
- Address: 2681 Airport-Pulling Rd S, Suite C107, Naples, FL 34112
- Phone: (239) 774-9900
- Practice Focus: Criminal defense, DUI, domestic violence, drug and gun charges, injunctions
- Experience: Member of CCACDL and FACDL
About: Nico J. Vitale runs Nico J. Vitale, P.A. on Airport-Pulling Road and belongs to the Collier County and Florida criminal defense lawyers associations. His listed practice covers DUI, domestic violence, drug, gun, fraud, theft, sex, internet, and violent crimes, along with expungement and appeals. Reviewers describe him as attentive and confident in court; one reports winning an injunction case with an award of attorney’s fees, and another first hired him as a juvenile.
9. Law Offices of Mark A. Casassa
- Attorney: Mark A. Casassa
- Address: 2671 Airport-Pulling Rd S, Suite 301, Naples, FL 34112
- Phone: (239) 417-0999
- Practice Focus: Criminal defense, DUI, trials
- Experience: Licensed for more than 40 years
About: Mark A. Casassa has been licensed for more than 40 years and focuses on criminal defense and DUI. Clients on Google and Avvo describe trial wins, a dismissal after a wrongful arrest, and a sentencing where the client avoided jail. One reviewer says he has referred clients to Casassa for 15 to 20 years in Naples and Fort Myers.
10. Law Firm of Scott T. Moorey
- Attorney: Scott T. Moorey
- Address: 2663 Airport Rd S, Suite D108, Naples, FL 34112
- Phone: (239) 388-2959
- Practice Focus: Criminal defense, DUI, expungement, probation violations
- Experience: About 27 years of criminal defense experience
About: Scott T. Moorey has about 27 years of Florida criminal defense experience and practices on Airport Road near the courthouse complex, under the motto that good people do get arrested. His listed practice areas include criminal defense, DUI, and expungement. Google reviewers describe a responsive, straightforward team, and one family credits Scott and colleague Lance with help on a probation violation.
Collier County Criminal Courts
- Courthouse: Collier County Courthouse, 3315 Tamiami Trail East, Naples, FL 34112 (County Court and Circuit Court)
- Circuit: The Twentieth Judicial Circuit covers Collier, Lee, Charlotte, Glades, and Hendry Counties.
- Clerk and records: Collier County Clerk of Courts
- Federal cases: Federal charges from Collier County are prosecuted in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida.
About This List
The Caldarone Law Group, P.A. sponsors this article and appears first. The other nine firms have Naples offices, public Google Business Profiles, and verified criminal defense practices. Ratings were recorded on October 19, 2026. This list is not a ranking. Verify any attorney through The Florida Bar. The Best Criminal Defense Lawyers in Naples, FL list is an editorial resource for researching local firms.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are Naples criminal cases heard?
State criminal cases from Naples are heard at the Collier County Courthouse, 3315 Tamiami Trail East. County Court handles misdemeanors and Circuit Court handles felonies.
What is the difference between a misdemeanor and a felony in Florida?
Misdemeanors carry up to one year in county jail. Felonies carry the possibility of state prison and are ranked by degree, from third-degree felonies up to capital felonies.
Should I talk to police without a lawyer?
You have the right to remain silent and the right to counsel. Anything said before speaking with a lawyer can be used as evidence.
Can charges be dropped before they are filed?
After an arrest, the State Attorney decides what to file. A defense attorney can present evidence and legal problems during that window, which sometimes results in no charges.
Do I need a local Naples attorney?
A lawyer who regularly appears at the Collier County Courthouse knows local procedures, prosecutors, and diversion options, which can affect how a case is handled. Reviewing the Best Criminal Defense Lawyers in Naples, FL can help readers identify attorneys who serve the area and learn more about their experience.
