About Mitkevicius Law

Meet the Founding Attorney

Josef Mitkevicius, Esq.
Founding Partner & Lead Trial Counsel

Our Founder’s Immigrant Roots & Legal Journey

Attorney Josef Mitkevicius isn’t just a criminal defense lawyer – he’s the child and grandchild of immigrants and a proud husband to a non-citizen. Josef’s father’s family journeyed from Lithuania and his mother’s from Italy, chasing the promise of a better life in America. Growing up in an immigrant family, Josef learned the values of hard work, resilience, and hope for a brighter future. Those values now fuel his legal practice, where every client’s case is personal.

Prior to attending law school, Josef volunteered with No More Deaths on the Arizona-Mexico border. Josef spent a summer in the desert, hiking rugged trails to leave water and aid for migrants in distress. He saw firsthand the human cost of broken immigration policies – people risking everything for a chance at safety and freedom. This opened his eyes to the current struggles immigrants face and solidified his resolve to become an advocate for immigrant rights.

After becoming a lawyer, Josef noticed a troubling pattern in Florida’s courts: immigrants charged with crimes were often misadvised or under-defended. Well-meaning defense attorneys, unfamiliar with immigration law, would recommend plea deals that seemed favorable – only for the client to later face deportation because of that plea. Josef knew he could make a difference by combining his criminal defense skills with immigration law knowledge.

He gave presentations at local bar association meetings to educate fellow attorneys on the intersection of criminal and immigration law, emphasizing how a minor conviction could have life-altering consequences for a non-citizen. His expertise led to him being featured in a legal publication for “building trust with the Hispanic community” – highlighting how he bridges cultural and language gaps to better serve clients.

In 2021, Josef founded Mitkevicius Law, PLLC in Pensacola, Florida, with the bold idea of focusing specifically on non-citizen defendants. Many advised him to take on a broader practice, but Josef felt strongly that immigrants needed a champion in criminal court. Since then, he has helped hundreds of non-citizen clients across Florida resolve criminal charges in a way that protects their families and futures. From green card holders to international students to undocumented individuals, Josef has provided unwavering defense – earning a reputation not just as a sharp attorney, but as a trusted ally to the immigrant community.

When he’s not handling criminal cases, Josef enjoys unwinding in nature with his wife and two children. He also has a passion for vegetable gardening and sustainable waste management.

Our Mission and Values

At Mitkevicius Law, our mission is simple: Keep families together and ensure everyone – citizen or not – gets the fair treatment they deserve under the law. We know that for our clients, a criminal case isn’t just about a court date or a sentence; it’s about whether they can continue building a life in America. This profound understanding shapes everything we do.

Our core values include:

• Compassion: We treat clients like human beings, not case numbers. We understand the anxiety you feel when facing charges far from your home country or with your legal status at stake. You will find a safe, non-judgmental space here, where your concerns are heard. Josef often says: “I don’t care what you’re accused of – I care about what we can do to help you move forward.” That empathetic approach means clients never feel ashamed or alone when working with us.
• Integrity: Trust is the foundation of our relationship with clients. We believe in being honest and transparent from day one. Josef will tell you exactly what to expect – the good and the bad – and will never make false promises. If a case can be resolved easily, he won’t drag it out. In fact, some clients are surprised by our integrity: one client, Geovanny, shared how Josef returned $1,000 of his fee because the case resolved faster than expected, proving that doing the right thing matters more than billing.
• Excellence: Non-citizens can’t afford mistakes in criminal cases, so we hold ourselves to the highest professional standards. Josef is a seasoned trial attorney who has handled thousands of cases and isn’t afraid to go to trial when it’s in the client’s best interest. He is President of the local Criminal Defense Bar and a member of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. Our firm stays up-to-date on both Florida criminal law and U.S. immigration law changes – we literally study new laws (like the 2025 Laken Riley Act) the moment they pass, so our clients are never a step behind.
• Cultural Understanding: Our team reflects the community we serve. We are bilingual (English/Spanish) and familiar with the cultural nuances that can be important in legal cases. We know, for example, how a misunderstanding due to language can lead to a wrongful arrest, or how cultural norms can be misinterpreted by authorities. By understanding your background, we can better explain your situation to a judge or jury, and make you feel at ease in a process that is foreign and intimidating.

Committed to Our Clients

Every testimonial from a former client reinforces why we do this work. Clients describe Josef as “a true humanitarian” who “looked beyond the situation and saw my son as the individual he is”. Others talk about feeling immediate relief and trust: “He is kind and truly listened to all of my concerns… All charges were dropped and case was dismissed. I could not have asked for a better outcome”. These words aren’t just compliments – they’re a reflection of our firm’s purpose. We are here to change lives for the better, one case at a time.

Why We Stand Out

Choosing a criminal defense attorney is a critical decision. Here’s what sets Mitkevicius Law apart:

• Exclusive Focus: We concentrate 100% on criminal defense for non-citizens. This niche focus means we have detailed knowledge of the immigration consequences for every type of charge. We won’t learn on the job at your expense – we’ve already done the homework on what pleas or charges will avoid deportation, what creative solutions exist (like deferred prosecution or alternative pleas), and how to communicate with prosecutors about immigration issues. We bring a strategic advantage to your case that general criminal lawyers or immigration lawyers alone may not have.
• Trial-Ready and Fearless: Prosecutors and judges in our area know Josef Mitkevicius well – and they know he won’t hesitate to take a case to trial if it’s the right move. That reputation often helps in negotiations, because the State knows we mean business. If a plea offer doesn’t sufficiently protect our client, we prepare to fight in court. Our trial experience (backed by countless hours in the courtroom) gives us the confidence to push for dismissals and acquittals. You will never be pressured to take a deal out of our convenience; we are prepared to go the distance for you.
• Community Trust: The immigrant community in Florida has placed their trust in us, and we honor that trust. Many of our new clients come referred by former clients and community members because of our track record. We are proud that so many clients describe our firm as “the best decision” they made when facing charges. This trust isn’t given lightly – we earned it through hard work, honest advice, and delivering results that let clients move on with their lives.

When you come to Mitkevicius Law, you’re not just getting a lawyer to handle a case – you’re gaining an team who genuinely cares about you and your family’s future. Our office is a safe space for immigrants of all backgrounds. We will guide you through the legal maze with compassion and skill, fighting aggressively for your rights at each step.

Contact Us – We’re Here to Help

If you or a loved one is a non-citizen facing criminal charges in Florida, don’t wait. The earlier we get involved, the more we can do to protect you. Contact Mitkevicius Law for a free consultation. We’ll discuss your situation confidentially (in English or Spanish), and you’ll walk away informed about your options and next steps.

• Phone: 850-361-2142 (24/7)
• Email: advice@pensacola.lawyer
• Office: 322 E. Romana St., Pensacola, FL (We also handle cases across Florida – virtual consultations available.)

At Mitkevicius Law, we treat your case as our cause. Our family is here to protect your family. Let us stand by your side and fight for the second chance you deserve.

Ready to Protect Your Status and Your Freedom?

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