The author spotlight
John S.
Hager, Esq.
Founding Partner • Hager & Schwartz, P.A.
A South Florida perspective on criminal defense, shaped by hundreds of trials on both sides of the courtroom.
Explore the firm’s legal insights
Experience & areas of focus
DUI & domestic violence
Prosecution experience with DUI, domestic violence and battery cases, and the evidence they turn on.
Serious felony charges
A background spanning robbery, aggravated assault and battery, sexual battery, drug and theft offenses.
Trial experience
Hundreds of cases tried to verdict in County and Circuit Courts.
Behind the perspective
A career built in the courtroom.
John’s path to the courtroom began in law school, where he was heavily involved in trial advocacy. Immediately after graduating, he became a prosecutor and handled thousands of cases, from DUI and domestic violence to robbery, juvenile matters and probation violations, before moving into criminal defense.
Today, as a founding partner, he brings that understanding of how cases are built and prosecuted to every client he represents, along with a longstanding commitment to the South Florida criminal defense bar.
View John’s full attorney profile
EXPERIENCE & EDUCATION
- Early career
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State Prosecutor
Handled thousands of misdemeanor and felony cases and tried hundreds of cases to verdict in County and Circuit Courts.
- Law school
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Nova Southeastern University
Earned his Juris Doctorate; heavily involved in trial advocacy.
- Undergraduate
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University of Florida
Earned his undergraduate degree before pursuing a career in law.
- Professional service
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Broward County Criminal Defense Lawyers Association
Served as Vice President from 2000 to 2005 and as President in 2015; has also served on a Florida Bar grievance committee.
From the firm’s blog
Make sense of what comes next.
Recommended reading from Hager & Schwartz, P.A. Explore the questions that arise during an investigation, in court and after a criminal charge.
Don’t Engage If Your Date Seems Underage
September 19, 2019
Online dating can be a great way to meet new people, but you need to be careful if your date seems underage. Read this Broward criminal defense blog post to find out why.
Read MoreWhat Is the Age of Consent in Florida?
September 13, 2019
The age of consent is the difference between a fun evening and a criminal charge. Find out the age of consent in Florida by reading this Broward criminal defense blog post.
Read MorePotential Penalties for Breaking Sex Offender Registry Rules
August 19, 2019
Sex offenders must register to the sex offender registry, but what happens when they break the rules? Read this Broward sex crimes blog post for the answer.
Read MoreExploring the Florida Sex Offender Registry
August 12, 2019
Do you know about the sex offender registry in Florida? If not, this Broward criminal defense blog post will explain how the registry will impact you.
Read MoreIs Drinking a Defense in Sex Crime Cases?
July 9, 2019
Intoxication and poor choices go together, but is drinking a viable defense in sexual assault cases? Read this Broward criminal defense blog post to find out!
Read MoreAre Fireworks Illegal in Fort Lauderdale?
July 4, 2019
Read our blog or contact Hager & Schwartz, P.A. today to learn what type of fireworks are illegal in Fort Lauderdale, FL.
Read MoreAttorneys Hager & Schwartz Named 2019 Super Lawyers® Members
July 1, 2019
Hager & Schwartz, P.A. in Miami is led by principal Attorneys John Hager and Brett Schwartz. Together, they have guided
Read MoreCan I Be Criminally Charged for Threatening Someone?
June 19, 2019
Threatening someone may seem harmless, but could it result in criminal charges? This Broward criminal defense blog post has the answer!
Read MoreCan I Be Arrested for Self-Defense?
June 13, 2019
Someone who hits someone else can be criminally charged with battery, but what if the attack was in self-defense? Check out this Broward assault and battery blog post to see if self-defense can result in criminal charges.
Read MoreWhen reading isn’t enough
Let’s talk about your situation.
A criminal charge is personal. Speak with our team about the facts of your case in a free, confidential consultation.
