Previous Law Firm Name

• Law Offices of Chris Patterson

Law Firm Overview

If you are looking for an experienced, dedicated Criminal Defense Lawyer who will go the extra mile to make sure you are completely represented and not treated as just another case file, you have come to the right place.

After serving as an Officer in the United States Army Judge Advocate General's Corps (JAG), I established my private practice of law emphasizing criminal defense. My practice now encompasses several thousand criminal cases in State, Federal, and Military Courts. I have represented clients in all stages of the criminal process: prior to arrest (in some cases resolving matters with police so that no arrest is made), at bail bond hearings, at arraignments, in pretrial motions, at trial, in post trial motions and sentencing hearings, and on appeal.

As a Florida Bar Board Certified Criminal Trial Specialist and a Certified Criminal Trial Advocate by the National Board of Trial Advocacy, I defend clients accused of offenses including (but not limited to):

• Murder, Homicide, Manslaughter
• Robbery, Burglary, Armed Robbery
• Drugs & Narcotics Offenses: Possession, Sale, Trafficking, Distribution, Drug Conspiracies, Forfeiture of Assets, Illegal Manufacture or Distribution of Controlled Substances, Delivery, Purchasing including methamphetamine (crystal meth)
• White Collar Crimes: Mail Fraud, Wire Fraud, Medicare Fraud, Tax Fraud, Bank Fraud, Computer Fraud, Insurance Fraud, Racketeering
• Kidnapping
• Military Law
• Sex Crimes: Molestation, Child Abuse, Child Pornography, Pornography, Sexual Battery (Rape), Lewd Act
• Firearms, Weapons Charges
• Grand Theft, Dealing in (Receiving) Stolen Property
• Drunk Driving Defense, Vehicular Manslaughter, Driving With License Suspended, Cancelled or Revoked, Felony DUI, Felony DWLS
• Assault & Battery
• Hit and Run
• Juvenile Offenses... Juvenile Delinquency

I represent clients from all areas of northwestern Florida as well as from across the State and throughout the Nation. Northwest Florida areas include Panama City, Mexico Beach, Destin, Fort Walton Beach, and the beaches of South Walton County, as well as Tallahassee and Pensacola. I offer a Free Consultation and I welcome your call.

Areas of Practice

• Alternative Dispute Resolution
• Criminal Law
• DUI/DWI
• Immigration & Naturalization Law
• Litigation & Appeals
• Motor Vehicle Accidents -- Plaintiff
• Personal Injury -- Plaintiff
• Sexual Harassment
• Traffic Violations
• White Collar Crimes

Honors and Awards

• Florida "Super Lawyer", 2006 - 2008
• Who's Who in American Law
• Who's Who in America
• Nominee, Jefferson Public Service Award, 1999
• Florida Bar President's Pro Bono Service Award, 1995
• Olympic Torch Bearer Selectee, 1996
• Excellence, U.S. Army Chief of Staff Award for Legal, 1989
• U.S. Army AMC Legal Achievement Award, 1988
• Named as Top 100 Florida Lawyer by the American Association for Justice

Published Works

• "Federal Criminal Law Highlights", Florida Defender Magazine, 2002
• "The End of Privacy", National D.A.R. Magazine, May, 1998
• "Bay County Teen Court", The Florida Bar Journal, Oct., 1995
• "Commercial Activities: Lessons Learned", The Army Lawyer, Dec., 1989
• "Florida Durable Power of Attorney", Florida Health Care Association Handbook, September, 1984
• "Krysha (Fiction)", PublishAmerica, Inc., 2006
• "Queen's Pawn (Fiction)", Northwest Publishing, Inc., 1996
• "Treasure Trove (Fiction)", Commonwealth Publishing, Inc., 1997

Classes and Seminars

• Adjunct Professor of Law, Gulf Coast Community College, 1994 - 1995

Pro Bono Activities

• Chancellor, St. Thomas By The Sea Episcopal Church
• Rotary International
• The American Legion
• The Society of Colonial Wars
• Military Officers Association of America
• Washington County Teen Court
• Bay County Teen Court
• Fellowship of Christian Athletes
• Volunteer Assistant Football Coach Bay High School
• Rutherford High School Mock Trial Coach
• Panhandle Writers Guild
• Lecturer to Area Schools and Church Groups

Representative Cases

• State of Florida v. Gilchrist (Death Penalty-Murder)
• State of Florida v. Gilchrist (Death Penalty-Murder)
• US v. Lovett (Prison Guard Sexual Battery)
• US v. Chin (International Drug Smuggling)
• US v. Thunder Eagle Ghost Dancer (Bank Robbery with Weapons)
• State of Florida v. Thames (Murder)
• State of Florida v. Mundy (Kidnapping)
• State of Florida v. Moore (Capital Sexual Battery)
• State of Florida v. Hogarth (Manslaughter)
• US v. Collins (Threats Against the President)
• USAF v. Bormann (Computer Fraud and Pornography)
• US v. Crowley (Maritime Scuttling)
• US v. Barrett (International Drug/Foreign Extradition)
• USAF v. Bellanger (Computer Pornography)
• State v. Roberts (Sexual Battery)
• US v. Rogers (Medicaid Fraud)
• State of Florida v. Clark (Home Invasion and Sexual Battery)
• State of Florida v. Gates (Controlled Substances GHB/GBL)
• State of Florida v. Davis (Robbery with Firearm)
• US v. Reives (Fraud)
• USAF v. Bunting (Drugs)
• US v. Tolin (Possession / Distribution of Methamphetamine)

West Practice Categories

Alternative Dispute Resolution, RICO Act, Sexual Harassment, Grand Jury Proceedings, Criminal Law, Criminal Fraud, DUI/DWI, Drug Violations, Federal, Felonies, Juvenile Crimes, Misdemeanor, Parole & Probation, Sex Offenses, White Collar Crimes, Immigration & Naturalization Law, Litigation & Appeals, Personal Injury -- Plaintiff, Motor Vehicle Accidents -- Plaintiff