Michael H. Lafay
Criminal
Defense Attorney
Michael
LaFay graduated from the American University Law School
in Washington, D.C. in 1983. He was admitted to the New York Bar
in 1984
and the Florida Bar in 1985. Michael has practiced in Central Florida
as a trial attorney for the past 22 years and has litigated over 250
jury trials. During that time, he has served as a defense attorney
and also as a prosecutor with the Office of Statewide Prosecution where
he specialized in white-collar offenses, racketeering and narcotic
wiretap/conspiracy cases.
Michael
is board certified in Criminal Trial Law by the Florida Bar and has
achieved an "AV" rating overall,
which is the highest ranking bestowed by Martindale-Hubbell, the national
attorney ranking service.
Among the cases that Michael LaFay has recently tried and
won are:
2009 Trafficking in Cocaine: The client and a codefendant met with
a confidential informant and sold two ounces of cocaine. The client
was the driver. After the jury was selected, the judge sustained an
objection which prevented the State from calling a crucial witness.
Rather than go forward, the State agreed to a sentence of two years
of probation.
2009 Multiple Counts of Robbery with a Firearm, Aggravated
Battery and Aggravated Assault: the victims identified the
client as having robbed them at gun point and pistol-whipped them
during a home invasion. The client confessed. After a three day trial
the jury agreed with the defense that the weapon was a BB pistol.
The robbery charges were reduced and the remaining counts were reduced
to misdemeanors.
2009 DUI: after being stopped for speeding at over
100 mph, the client performed field sobriety exercises. The police
testified that the client failed the exercises and refused a breath
test. Jury verdict: Not guilty.
2008 Attempted First Degree Murder/Kidnapping: during
a meeting with his estranged wife in a crowded parking lot, the client
confined her and attempted to slash her throat, inflicting several
wounds. After a three day jury trial, the jury found him guilty of
the lesser crime of attempted second degree murder. At sentencing the
judge considered expert psychological testimony about the client’s
mental state and imposed a significantly reduced sentence. The case
is currently on appeal.
2007 Sexual Battery: the victim alleged that she
was raped by her massage therapist. After a two day trial, the jury
acquitted on all counts. Verdict: Not guilty.
2007 DUI: The client was arrested for DUI after a
serious accident on I-4. He was videotaped at roadside and refused
a breath test. Verdict: Not guilty.
2007 Trafficking in Cocaine, 400 grams or more: The
client was arrested while allegedly handing 500 grams of cocaine to
a confidential informant. After the cross-examination of the informant
during trial, the prosecutor offered a sentence of probation. Because
the minimum sentence was 15 years in prison, the client accepted.
2007 Leaving the Scene of an Accident with Death.
The charges arose from a tragic traffic accident where the client struck
two pedestrians, causing a death. Although the client left the scene
of the accident, he returned at a later time. Verdict: Not guilty
2007 Aggravated Battery. While engaged in struggle
at a nightclub, the victim alleged that the client threw a glass at
him and caused serious injury to his mouth. During cross-examination,
the victim’s credibility was successfully attacked. Verdict:
Not guilty.
2006 Attempted Murder: during a vacation in Central
Florida, the client’s wife called 911 and ran screaming from
the hotel room covered with blood. The wife was cross examined for
two days and it was conclusively shown that she had concocted the entire
crime in order to gain an advantage in divorce court. After a ten day
trial, the jury acquitted after one hour of deliberation. Verdict:
Not guilty.
2006 Lewd and Lascivious Battery: the client was
accused of molesting a young girl in a salon. After a two day trial,
the jury acquitted on all counts. Verdict: Not guilty.
2006 DUI: the police observed the client driving
erratically and took a statement that he had been drinking beer. The
client performed field sobriety exercises but refused a breath test.
Verdict: Not guilty.
2006 DUI: after being stopped for speeding, the client
performed field sobriety exercises and submitted to a breath test.
The breath test was thrown out and the jury determined that the client
was not impaired. Verdict: Not guilty.
2006 DUI: the client was stopped by Altamonte Springs
police and videotaped performing field sobriety exercises. Verdict:
Not guilty.
2006 Attempted Murder: the client and a co-defendant
were accused of requesting a ride and then stabbing the driver. During
the three day trial, it was proved that the co-defendant had acted
alone. Verdict: Not guilty.
Among
Michael LaFay's awards are:
- Outstanding
Lawyers of America, 2003
- Honored
for Trial work, DEA Heroin Task Force, 2001
- Meir
Award, Orlando Police Department (Wiretap/Narcotics casework),
2001
- Sheriff's
Citation for Excellence, presented by the Orange County Sheriff's
Office, 2001
- Davis
Award for Excellence (Medicaid Fraud Task Force), presented by
the Governor, 1997
- Outstanding
Speaker Awards, 1996, 1997, and 1999
- American
Inns of Court, Executive Committee, Orlando Chapter, 1990-1995
- Faculty
Speaker, Florida Prosecuting Attorneys Association, 1994, 1996,
1999, 2000
- Faculty
Lecturer, Florida Police Academy, 1997-1999
- Author, "Double-celling
in the Prisons', New England Journal on Criminal Confinement,
1983
- Co-Author, "The
Wrongful Death Action", Medical Trial Practice Quarterly,
1984
Find more
detailed information about Michael
LaFay's bio.
PRACTICE AREAS: Criminal Law.
Listing in Martindale Hubbell's Law Directory
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