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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. 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.

Stetson University College of Law, J.D. University of Florida, B.A. in Criminology