In The News

The Byrd Law Firm has been prominently featured in various news articles, showcasing Derek Byrd’s expertise in Criminal Law. With a reputation for excellence and professionalism, Derek Byrd is regularly sought out by the media for his expert opinions in criminal law matters. Media outlets, including television and print, frequently turn to Derek Byrd for his insights and analysis, highlighting his standing as a respected authority in the legal community.

These news articles show that Derek Byrd’s knowledge and experience in criminal law make him a trusted source for media professionals seeking informed perspectives on legal issues. Despite the high demand for his expertise, Derek Byrd is selective in his responses to media requests, prioritizing the privacy and confidentiality of his clients above all else. This discerning approach underscores Derek Byrd’s unwavering commitment to upholding the professional standards of The Byrd Law Firm. The news articles featured on this page serve as a testament to Derek Byrd’s standing as a trusted legal expert, sought after by the media for his invaluable insights in the field of Criminal Law.

SARASOTA- President Trump’s Defense Secretary Appointee Patrick Shanahan withdrew his nomination as a series of violent domestic incidents among family members came to light, including a 2011 incident where his 17-year-old son beat his ex-wife with a baseball bat on Bird Key.  6/20/19

Patrick Shanahan hired the Byrd Law Firm to represent his son, and attorney Derek Byrd says they worked with Police on a turn in date when juvenile court was back in session and says these agreements are standard.

“The notion that kind of got spun recently,” Byrd said. “Was that Mr. Shanahan, Patrick Shanahan, the secretary of defense, had harbored a fugitive or hid his son, or had done something, not above board is in my mind simply ridiculous.”

See the full article and watch the television interview

https://www.snntv.com/story/40682324/shanahans-son-involved-in-2011-sarasota-domestic-incident

IN THE NEWS: A CAREER-DEFINING MOMENT IN DEREK BYRD’S LAW CAREER HAPPENED APRIL 4, 2011

A career-defining moment in Derek Byrd’s law career happened April 4, 2011, outside the Hardee County Correctional Institution.

Byrd was there to greet Derrick Williams. Wrongfully convicted on a rape charge in Manatee County in 1993, Williams had spent 18 years in prison. Byrd, a defense attorney in Sarasota, had been part of the legal team, led by the Innocence Project of Florida, which pursued the case. A judge vacated the conviction after a hearing where newly discovered DNA evidence undermined the guilty verdict. Read more below
http://www.businessobserverfl.com/section/detail/birds-nest/

MR. BYRD REPRESENTED AN ATTORNEY AND THE CASE WAS SUCCESSFUL ON APPEAL

A criminal case against a suspected gang member is in jeopardy again after a court ruling Wednesday criticized the way the state has targeted the country’s street gangs.

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MR. BYRD TALKING ABOUT DUI BREATH TESTS BEING THROWN OUT OF COURT.

No 2nd chances in old DUI cases. The breath-alcohol test used for years to help convict tens of thousands DUI defendants across the state might not have been as reliable as prosecutors portrayed…

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BYRD NAMED TO LIST OF TOP U.S. LAWYERS

Derek Byrd, a partner at The Byrd Law Firm in Sarasota, was recently named in the criminal defense category in the 2009 edition of the”Best Lawyers in America” publication.

A FALSE ARREST, ON HEARSAY AND EYEWITNESS MISTAKES

Derek Byrd represents Cooper Moore on a case he called a “systemic failure”. Cooper Moore and his girlfriend had just taken their first vacation together — a cruise to Jamaica and Grand Cayman. As the ship docked, they were met by two police officers