Aaron J. Slavin, the owner of the SLAVIN LAW FIRM, has handled many newsworthy cases that have been covered by the local, state and national media. This page will allow you to read about some of his cases and accomplishments.

The text below represents my commentary on each article and does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the specific media outlet or the Office of the State Attorney. For your convenience, the orange hyperlinks have been provided to each media source.

Aaron J. Slavin, of the Clearwater-based SLAVIN LAW FIRM, was recently selected by the Tampa Bay Business Journal as one of their "Up & Comers." At an awards banquest on Thursday, November 5, 2009, Aaron J. Slavin received this award which is now on the wall in his office.

"2009 TBBJ Up & Comers, 30-39 category," published in the Tampa Bay Business Journal, November 6, 2009.

Over one year after I left the State Attorney's Office and my position as the Pinellas County Gang Unit Prosecutor, one of my more interesting cases is finally going to trial. This "Armed Robbery gone bad" landed several members of St. Petersburg's Haines Road Cru in jail on charges of Attempted Murder of a Law Enforcement Officer as well as various other Armed Robbery and Drug Trafficking charges.

"Trial begins for man accused of shooting St. Petersburg detective," by Curtis Krueger, St. Petersburg Times, August 3, 2009.

In addition to the dozens of articles appearing below,(which highlight some of my more pressworthy cases), I am also contacted by the media to provide commentary and insight into current criminal issues throughout the Tampa Bay area. For instance, in the article below, the St. Petersburg Times contacted me for information on our local, neighborhood gangs in the St. Petersburg area.

"Generations of gang rivalries play out in St. Petersburg and leave bloody trails," by Jamal Thalji, St. Petersburg Times, May 3, 2009.

In a rather unusual twist of fate, I was contacted by the St. Petersburg Times to comment on a drive-by shooting case that I prosecuted from start to finish. While with the State Attorney's Office, I pushed to have Donald Keehn sentenced to prison. After serving approximately half of the five-year prison sentence that I had requested, Donald Keehn was granted a commutation of his sentence by the Florida Board of Executive Clemency chaired by Governor Charlie Christ.

"St. Petersburg drive-by shooter Donald Keehn, 88, gets clemency," by Kameel Stanley, St. Petersburg Times, March 13, 2009.

Aaron J. Slavin, of the SLAVIN LAW FIRM, was recently nominated by the St. Petersburg Area Chamber of Commerce for their "Leadership in Government" award which will be handed out at their Tomorrow's Leaders Today luncheon being held on October 16, 2008 at the Hilton in downtown St. Petersburg.

St. Petersburg Chamber of Commerce Honors "Tomorrow's Leaders Today,"
Press Release posted by the St. Petersburg Area Chamber of Commerce, on their website, on September 17, 2008.

This recent advertisement was in the Tampa Bay Times, otherwise known as the tbt*.  After being selected by the Tampa Bay Times on July 9, 2008, to be featured in their "Rising Star" profile, I was then asked by AD2 Tampa Bay to make an appearance on their "live" webcast.  The webcast was filmed on Wednesday, July 30, 2008 and can be viewed on YouTube.  For your convenience, the YouTube link has been provided below.

AD2 Tampa Bay - AdCast Promo - Tampa Bay Times, July 29, 2008.

AD2 Tampa Bay - Link to YouTube Video - Posted August 5, 2008

On July 9, 2008,  I was featured in the Tampa Bay Times, otherwise known as the tbt*, in their "Rising Star" profile.  Published weekly, the "Rising Star" section chooses young professionals in the Tampa Bay area and highlights their career accomplishments as well as their personal achievements.  This profile was the perfect bridge between my time at the State Attorney's Office and my new endeavor, the creation of the SLAVIN LAW FIRM. 

tbt* "Rising Star" Profile, Tampa Bay Times , July 9, 2008.

This was the last DUI Manslaughter that I handled at the State Attorney's Office. In this case, the Defendant was doing about 80 mph in a residential area when she hit a median and flipped her car several times before wrapping it around a tree. There were two juveniles in the car at the time. The juvenile in the back seat died at the scene after the roof of the car cut the top of his head off. Luckily, the front seat passenger survived. However, he sustained a broken jaw which had to be wired shut. Once again, this case proves how a series of bad decisions can change your life, and the lives of others, in a matter of minutes.

This was one of the last cases that I handled as the Gang Unit prosecutor at the State Attorney's Office. After a lengthy pretrial detention hearing, I was able to convince the Judge that each of these Defendants was a danger to our community and should be held, without bond, until the completion of their cases.

"Birthday gift blamed for cop shooting," by Abhi Raghunathan, St. Petersburg Times, May 24, 2008.

This article summarizes a special investigation that took place after several recent pharmacy robberies in central and south Pinellas County. A total of five individuals were arrested after members of this group robbed a Blockbuster video and shot an undercover police detective.

"Authorities link Haines Road Cru gang members to pharmacy robberies," by Abhi Raghunathan, St. Petersburg Times, May 8, 2008.

In cases such as this, there are no winners or losers. One family lost their son forever. The other family watched their son go off to prison for over ten years. If anything, this case reminds us of the dangers of drinking and driving.

"DUI death brings 10 years," by Jose Cardenas, St. Petersburg Times, February 27, 2008.

Like many of the cases that I handled while I was a member of the State Attorney's Office DUI Manslaughter Squad, this case was extremely emotional.

"Emotions flow at DUI hearing," by Jose Cardenas, St. Petersburg Times, January 26, 2008.

This case provides yet another example of the increased gang activity that we are experiencing in Pinellas County. The middle schoolers were part of a Hispanic gang called "Quince," which is based in Clearwater, Florida.

"Police arrest 7 middle schoolers in robbery," by Jonathan Abel, St. Petersburg Times, January 18, 2008.

Gang activity is not isolated in Pinellas County. This case provides an example of the type of activity we are currently seeing in Pasco County. It is now clearly evident that it is easier for a teenager to get a gun these days than it is to get a beer!

"Calm is restored for Holiday residents," by Molly Moorhead, St. Petersburg Times, November 10, 2007.

This case involved a dangerous and deadly car chase through the streets of St. Petersburg which resulted in the death of an Asian gang member. The Defendant in this case, Seth Walker, received 33 years in prison just months after his co-Defendant, Men Sorn, received 35 years in prison.

"Member of Asian gang sentenced to 33 years," by Abhi Raghunathan, St. Petersburg Times, November 6, 2007.

Teens that commit violent offenses will often be prosecuted as adults. In this case, the Defendant was sixteen years old when the offense occurred, yet he was charged as an adult with Attempted First Degree Murder and Conspiracy to Commit Murder.

"Teen Refuses Deal in Gang Attack Case," by David Sommer, The Tampa Tribune, October 9, 2007.

Apparently something I said during the sentencing hearing of three prominent Royal Bloods gang members ended up being the "quote of the week" in Pasco County.

"The week in words," by Times Staff Writer, St. Petersburg Times, September 2, 2007.

This article highlights a Second Degree Murder case that I prosecuted where the Defendant shot and killed his (ex)-girlfriend's daughter with a shotgun. After obtaining a conviction on the Murder charge, I was able to successfully convince the Judge that this Defendant should be sentenced to LIFE in prison.

"Man sentenced to life in slaying," by Jose Cardenas, St. Petersburg Times, September 1, 2007.

The article below is the initial background story that led to the Second Degree Murder conviction in the above-article.

"Man charged in Pinellas slaying," by Will Van Zant, St. Petersburg Times, December 19, 2005. (see story above)

Three extremely violent gang members that participated in a brutal gang beating were sentenced to prison for 30, 25 and 17 years.

"Gang leaders sent to prison," by Jamal Thalji, St. Petersburg Times, August 28, 2007.

This is an additional story on the Royal Bloods criminal street gang that was based in New Port Richey, Florida. After a successful prosecution of their leaders, this gang is no longer a problem in Pasco County.

"3 Gang Members Sentenced," by Todd Leskanic, The Tampa Tribune, August 28, 2007.

Some of the cases that I prosecuted, such as Asian Pride gang member Men Sorn, received national attention. The newsletter below is put out by the U.S. Attorney's Office in the Northern District of Indiana.

"United States Attorney's Office, Northern District of Indiana - Gang Activity Information Network," by Ryan Holmes, United States Department of Justice, August 2007.

This article reports on a gang-related sentencing hearing in which I successfully argued for a very lengthy prison sentence against Asian Pride gang member Men Sorn.

"Legal system trying to keep up with prolific Asian gangs," by Abhi Raghunathan, St. Petersburg Times, July 15, 2007.

Once again, members of the Asian Pride gang committing another murder in Pinellas County. This one was the result of a Home Invasion Robbery gone bad.

"Teen charged in drug slaying," by Abhi Raghunathan, St Petersburg Times, July 3, 2007.

This was the first article in a long period of time that exposed the Asian gang problem that exists in the St. Petersburg area. Fortunately, the St. Petersburg Police Department has an aggressive and dedicated Gang Intelligence Unit to handle cases such as this.

"Hearing opens window on gang," by Abhi Raghunathan, St. Petersburg Times, June 23, 2007.

This article was part of a four-part series on gangs in Pasco County. For this article, I was interviewed by Lisa Davis of The Tampa Tribune. She describes the increasing gang problem in our community that ultimately led to the formation of our Gang Prosecution Unit.

"Activity Rises With Growth," by Lisa A. Davis, The Tampa Tribune, May 20, 2007.

This is another sad case of what can go wrong when people mix guns and alcohol. In this case, a seventeen year old child was shot in the face by one of his friends that was drunk and messing around with a loaded gun.

"Birthday party ends in shooting death," by Abhi Raghunathan, St. Petersburg Times, April 3, 2007.

The Associated Press picked up this story after I was interviewed by the Atlanta Journal Constitution. As someone who grew up reading the New York Times, it was quite a shock when I learned that one of my cases was mentioned and I was quoted.

"Georgia: Murder Suspect Ruled Incompetent," by The Associated Press, The New York Times, October 10, 2006.

After committing a brutal murder, Carl Roland fled to Atlanta where he climbed a crane and caused a huge media scene for the next few days.

"Murder suspect who sat atop crane is unfit to stand trial," by The Associated Press, The Dalton Daily Citizen, October 10, 2006.

"Former crane-sitter getting mentally fit to stand trial," by Bill Montgomery, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, October 9, 2006.(No link available)

As a pet owner, I was proud to prosecute this case. To this day, I stand behind my position that "you don't just accidentally shoot a kitten." Luckily, the kitten had emergency surgery and was rescued and is doing well. The kitten now goes by the name "Archer."

"Man who shot cat with arrow gets 30 days in jail," by Richard Danielson, St. Petersburg Times, August 24, 2006.

You can never be too old for prison. This Defendant decided to shoot up the victim's trailer month-after-month over an unpaid loan. As stated in the article, you can be 85 years old or 8 years old. An improperly fired gun knows no difference.

"Man, 85, sentenced to 5 years for house shootings," by Chris Tisch, St. Petersburg Times, July 21, 2006.

I still remember Mr. Keehn taunting me as he was getting fingerprinted. I think he was quoted as saying to the prosecutor on the case (me), "I hope you're happy, you bastard."

"Old Age Doesn't Get Man off Hook," by Chris Tisch, St. Petersburg Times, July 22, 2006.

This is probably one of the cases that I am most proud to have prosecuted in all my years as a prosecutor. It was the St. Petersburg Police Department's first "cold case" DNA hit that proceeded to trial. Not only was I able to convict Mr. Kelsey, I successfully argued for an "upward departure" sentence which the Judge imposed. Because the crime occurred in 1993, we could not seek a life sentence because we were forced to sentence the Defendant under the old guidelines. However, we were able to get the maximum sentence of 40 years in prison.

"Police connect man to 1993 rape," by Jon Wilson, St. Petersburg Times, February 19, 2006.

Aaron J. Slavin, owner of the SLAVIN LAW FIRM, has been quoted in the following media outlets: St. Petersburg Times (St. Petersburg, Florida), Tampa Bay Business Journal (Tampa, Florida), The Tampa Tribune (Tampa, Florida), The Tampa Bay Times (tbt*) (St. Petersburg, Florida), The Atlanta Journal Constitution (Atlanta, Georgia), The Daily Citizen (Dalton, Georgia), The New York Times (New York, New York) and The Associated Press (New York, New York).