John D. Whitaker is a native of Gainesville and graduated from the University of Florida College of Law in 1999. He is the past president of the local chapter of the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys, and the past president of the Eighth Judicial Circuit Bar Association which includes Alachua, Baker, Bradford, Gilchrist, Levy and Union counties. John was first hired by then State Attorney Rod Smith and worked for him as a prosecutor specializing in DUI and traffic enforcement. During his time as a prosecutor, he handled thousands of cases and attended numerous seminars on the inner workings of law enforcement, DUI, investigations and prosecution.

Since moving to private practice, he has handled hundreds of criminal cases, from theft by a juvenile to attempted murder with a firearm. He continues to attend seminars focusing on criminal defense.

John’s experience on both sides of the criminal justice system has enabled him to analyze every case as both an experienced prosecutor and defense attorney. This gives him the advantage of anticipating the prosecution’s strategy and accurately analyzing the strengths and weaknesses of their case.

He has actual trial experience in DUI, possession of cannabis, battery, domestic battery, open container, theft, resisting an officer without violence, sale and possession of controlled substances,  resisting an officer with violence, battery on a law enforcement officer, escape, grand theft auto, burglary with battery, aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, armed robbery and attempted murder with firearm.