Erika Valcarcel is a seasoned lawyer in Sarasota with experience in both prosecution and defense of misdemeanor and felony cases.
Her legal background includes several years as an assistant state attorney in Sarasota and Manatee counties before starting her criminal defense practice. She has handled a wide range of cases, including thousands of misdemeanor and felony charges, and has significant trial experience in local Florida courts.
Valcarcel is a native of Bradenton who had a fascination with law going back to childhood and always envisioned a future as a lawyer. With that in mind, she studied criminology at the University of Florida as an undergraduate, where she graduated with honors, before going on to earn her law degree at Stetson University College of Law. She graduated from law school cum laude.
She began learning how trials work while studying at Stetson, which is one of the top law schools in the nation for trial advocacy. She participated in trials as a student and used that experience to obtain a job as a prosecutor after graduating from law school.
As a prosecutor, Valcarcel worked on hundreds of cases at a time — from misdemeanor drug cases to felony sex offenses. She gained valuable insight and experience with Florida criminal law and how cases work in Sarasota and Manatee counties.
After five years as a prosecutor, Valcarcel decided to take on the mantle of criminal defense. She had seen a need for strong representation for all people regardless of their backgrounds, but especially those with mental health or other issues that led them into the legal system. She is committed to helping people facing criminal charges to get a fair outcome.
Education
- Stetson University College of Law, J.D.
- University of Florida, B.A. in Criminology
Bar Admissions
- State of Florida
Professional Memberships
- Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
As a Sarasota criminal defense lawyer, Valcarcel brings a blend of compassion, honesty, ethics, and aggressive advocacy to each case she handles. She values clear communication with clients and ensures that each person she represents has the information they need to understand their criminal charges and the legal process.
A client is never just a number or a charge to Valcarcel. She gets to know each individual and their goals so that she can be a strong advocate for them in court and help them to obtain the best possible result in their case.
Outside of law practice, Valcarcel values spending time with her family and volunteering in her community.