Tampa Attorney Melissa Sharpsteen

Attorney's Profile

COLLEGE:
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
LAW SCHOOL:
University of Louisville, Louis D. Brandeis School of Law
ATTORNEY SINCE:
1995
STATES ADMITTED:
Florida
PRACTICE AREAS:
Criminal Defense, Bankruptcy, Personal Injury, Estate Planning, Probate

After graduation from high school in the Detroit area, Melissa attended the University of Michigan, a public ivy league institution which is consistently ranked among the top 20 universities in the world. In May, 1990, Melissa was awarded her Bachelor's Degree in Economics from this prestigious university.

Prior to graduation, Melissa was offered a position with M&M/Mars as a Sales and Marketing Representative in the Motorcities Region. After gaining two years work experience with this worldwide corporation, Melissa was ready to pursue her goal of becoming an advocate and voice for others.

Armed with a scholarship, Melissa enrolled in law school at the Louis D. Brandeis School of Law in Louisville, Kentucky. This Dean's List student obtained her Juris Doctor degree in 1995 and is proud to be part of the first law school class to complete public service as a graduation requirement.

Upon receiving her Juris Doctor degree, Melissa relocated to St. Petersburg, Florida where she passed the Florida Bar Examination and began a Clerkship with an insurance defense firm in Tampa, Florida. She was soon promoted to an Associate Attorney position, where she remained until the opening of her practice in 1997. Currently, Melissa is the Senior Attorney at Sharpsteen Law where she primarily focuses on Criminal Defense, Personal Injury, Bankruptcy and Estate Planning/Probate matters.

Melissa is licensed to practice law in the United States Federal Middle District Courts as well as the Florida State Courts. She is experienced in the courtroom, having conducted both jury and nonjury trials in both criminal and civil cases. Throughout her career, Melissa has remained active in the legal community. Additionally, in keeping with her commitment to public service, she continues to participate in pro bono and charitable causes, most recently being named to the Board of Directors of the Celma Mastry Ovarian Cancer Foundation.

Attorney's Videos

Are all illegal drugs treated equally when it comes to punishing drug dealers in Florida?
Criminal Defense Law

Are federal grand jury proceedings secret?
Federal Criminal Law

Are radar jammers illegal in Florida?
Traffic Ticket Law

Are their special rules for drunk driving offenses for individuals less than 21 years of age in Florida?
Traffic Ticket Law

Are there other potential consequences to being convicted of a traffic violation in Florida?
Traffic Ticket Law

Can I check my driver record in Florida?
Traffic Ticket Law

Can I get a conditional license if I was convicted of DUI or DWI in Florida?
Traffic Ticket Law

Can I have tinted windows on my vehicle in Florida?
Traffic Ticket Law

Can I legally drive an old collectible car on the road and take my children with me without seatbelts in Florida?
Traffic Ticket Law

Can I turn left on a red light from a one-way street to a one-way street in Florida?
Traffic Ticket Law

Can the police conduct a search without a warrant in Florida?
Criminal Defense Law

Can the police just stop me on the street and search me for no reason in Florida?
Criminal Defense Law

Do I have to be informed that I am being indicted or will be indicted at a federal grand jury hearing?
Federal Criminal Law

Do I have to give consent to a law enforcement officer to search my car in Florida?
Criminal Defense Law

Do I need a driver license to drive an ATV in Florida?
Traffic Ticket Law

Do I need a federal attorney to fight my charges?
Federal Criminal Law

Do I need an attorney to represent me even if I am innocent?
Federal Criminal Law

Even if I have not yet been charged, but am only under investigation, do I still need an attorney?
Federal Criminal Law

How can I find out if there is a warrant for my arrest?
Criminal Defense Law

How can I get my driver license back when it is suspended due to a motor vehicle accident in Florida?
Traffic Ticket Law

How do I know if I am being investigated for federal charges?
Federal Criminal Law

How do I know that my case is a federal case?
Federal Criminal Law

How long do children have to be in car seats versus just the seat of the car in Florida?
Traffic Ticket Law

How many points will it take for my license to be revoked in Florida?
Traffic Ticket Law

How much time will I serve on my federal criminal sentence?
Federal Criminal Law

How will my sentence be decided in Florida?
Criminal Defense Law

I do not think I have done anything wrong. Why do I need an attorney?
Federal Criminal Law

I heard that federal agents are asking questions about me. What does this mean?
Federal Criminal Law

I taped some harassing telephone conversations with my ex-girlfriend. Can we use these tapes in the court?
Criminal Defense Law

If an American is convicted of a crime in a foreign country, can they serve the sentence in an American prison?
Federal Criminal Law

If I get a ticket for a moving violation in another state, do I receive points on my driver license in Florida?
Traffic Ticket Law

If I simply intend to plead guilty, why do I need an attorney?
Federal Criminal Law

IRS agents showed up unannounced and want to talk to me. What should I do?
Federal Criminal Law

Is it cheaper to just go to court by myself for a Florida moving violation?
Traffic Ticket Law

Is it easier and/or cheaper to just mail in a check and pay for my Florida moving violation?
Traffic Ticket Law

Is it legal to talk on a cell phone while driving in Florida?
Traffic Ticket Law

Is there a specific age, or weight, that children can legally ride as a passenger on a motorcycle in Florida?
Traffic Ticket Law

Is there any difference between being sent to jail or prison in Florida?
Criminal Defense Law

Is there parole for people who have been convicted of a federal crime?
Federal Criminal Law

My husband just got a ticket for running a yellow light in Florida. How is that possible?
Traffic Ticket Law

What am I supposed to do at a traffic light that is flashing a yellow arrow?
Traffic Ticket Law

What are federal magistrate judges?
Federal Criminal Law

What are Miranda rights or Miranda warnings?
Criminal Defense Law

What are my rights if I am accused of a crime in Florida?
Criminal Defense Law

What are the federal sentencing guidelines?
Federal Criminal Law

What are the requirements for motor vehicle liability insurance in Florida?
Traffic Ticket Law

What are the typical steps in a criminal proceeding in Florida?
Criminal Defense Law

What constitutes an unreasonable search and seizure under the fourth amendment?
Federal Criminal Law

What constitutes the crime of making a false statement to a federally-insured institution?
Federal Criminal Law

What constitutes the crime of receiving, possessing, or distributing child pornography?
Federal Criminal Law

What constitutes the crime of transporting or shipping child pornography?
Federal Criminal Law

What does the federal crime called witness tampering entail?
Federal Criminal Law

What exactly is a federal grand jury investigation?
Federal Criminal Law

What happens if my child is arrested in Florida?
Criminal Defense Law

What happens in juvenile court in Florida?
Criminal Defense Law

What is a federal grand jury?
Federal Criminal Law

What is a public defender?
Criminal Defense Law

What is common law?
Criminal Defense Law

What is DUI or DWI?
Traffic Ticket Law

What is forfeiture?
Federal Criminal Law

What is restitution?
Federal Criminal Law

What is RICO and what does it have to do with racketeering?
Federal Criminal Law

What is the difference between a civil offense and a crime in Florida?
Criminal Defense Law

What is the difference between a federal and state crime?
Federal Criminal Law

What is the difference between a felony, a misdemeanor, and a violation in Florida?
Criminal Defense Law

What is the difference between a felony, a misdemeanor, and a violation?
Federal Criminal Law

What is the difference between deferred adjudication and probation in Florida?
Criminal Defense Law

What is the difference between detention and arrest in Florida?
Criminal Defense Law

What is the difference between jail and prison in Florida?
Criminal Defense Law

What is the difference between probation and parole in Florida?
Criminal Defense Law

What is the difference between probation and parole?
Federal Criminal Law

What is the difference between someone on parole and someone on probation?
Criminal Defense Law

What is the distinction between drug possession and intent to distribute?
Federal Criminal Law

What is the driver violation point system (or points)?
Traffic Ticket Law

What is the federal criminal process?
Federal Criminal Law

What is the insanity defense and how does it work in Florida?
Criminal Defense Law

What is the purpose of a grand jury in Florida?
Criminal Defense Law

What is the role of the federal government in criminal law?
Federal Criminal Law

What is the role of the investigative grand jury in Florida?
Criminal Defense Law

What must I do at the accident scene?
Traffic Ticket Law

What must I do if I receive a parking ticket?
Traffic Ticket Law

What must I do if I receive a traffic ticket?
Traffic Ticket Law

What should I do if I am arrested in Florida?
Criminal Defense Law

What should I do if I am arrested?
Federal Criminal Law

What should I do if I think I am going to be charged with a federal crime?
Federal Criminal Law

What should I do if the FBI is investigating me or trying to contact me?
Federal Criminal Law

What will happen if I do not respond to a traffic ticket, pay a fine, or pay a mandatory surcharge in Florida?
Traffic Ticket Law

When am I eligible for a hardship license (limited driving privilege)?
Traffic Ticket Law

When are turn signals required to be used in Florida and does this include changing lanes?
Traffic Ticket Law

When are you under arrest?
Federal Criminal Law

When can tickets be removed from my record in Florida?
Traffic Ticket Law

When do I have the right to an attorney in Florida?
Criminal Defense Law

When do the police have to read me my rights in Florida?
Criminal Defense Law

When there is an air bag in the front passenger side, are children 12 and under supposed to be in the back seat?
Traffic Ticket Law

Who appoints federal judges?
Federal Criminal Law

Who can own a gun under federal law?
Federal Criminal Law

Who investigates and prosecutes federal crimes?
Federal Criminal Law

Who is eligible for vehicle plates for disabled persons or a parking permit for disabled persons in Florida?
Traffic Ticket Law

Why did my attorney ask the judge to sentence me to a year and a day instead of just a year?
Federal Criminal Law

Why is criminal procedure different from civil procedure?
Criminal Defense Law

Why should I hire a criminal defense attorney?
Criminal Defense Law

Why should I hire a defense attorney?
Federal Criminal Law

Will I have to go to court for a speeding ticket in Florida?
Traffic Ticket Law

Will my insurance premiums increase if I get a speeding ticket?
Traffic Ticket Law

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Law Firm Info

Sharpsteen Law
http://www.sharpsteenlaw.com

6675 38th Avenue North, Suite 102
St. Petersburg, Florida 33710

(727) 475-2220

About Our Firm

At SharpsteenLaw, we strive to assist clients charged in a criminal matter, including DUI, felonies and drug offenses, in navigating the complex and ever-changing legal system. We are dedicated to providing clients with compassionate and informative legal services. Upon retaining our Tampa/St. Petersburg Florida Criminal Defense law firm, we will investigate the case by obtaining the relevant evidence that the State is required to produce under the rules of criminal discovery and provide quality, competent legal representation, at a time when you need a professional the most.

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