Stephen G. Cobb, BCS: Board-Certified Criminal Trial Lawyer in Fort Walton Beach, Florida

Stephen G. Cobb is a criminal defense lawyer and the founder of Cobb Law Firm in Fort Walton Beach, Florida. He is a Florida Bar board certified specialist in criminal trial law, and he has practiced criminal defense exclusively.

His profile says he was born and raised in Northwest Florida and has spent his legal career, now more than 30 years, handling over 10,000 criminal cases. He was admitted to the Florida Bar in 1989, opened his firm in 1997, and earned board certification in 2002.

Some online listings place Cobb Law Firm in Pensacola. Its office is in Fort Walton Beach, and the firm serves clients across Northwest Florida, including Pensacola. Everything in this article comes from his published profile and public directory bios, and it includes no case results.

What Does Board Certification in Criminal Trial Law Mean?

Board certification is a recognition of specialized skill that the Florida Bar grants in selected areas of law. Criminal trial law is one of them. Certification generally involves meeting standards for experience, peer review and continuing education, and passing an exam, and it must be renewed periodically.

Stephen Cobb earned his certification in 2002, administered through the Florida Bar's board of legal education and specialization. A podcast bio says he was recertified in 2023. His name carries the letters BCS, which stand for Board Certified Specialist. Certification does not guarantee any outcome in a case, and it is not the only way to judge a lawyer. It is, however, a credential that clients can check through the Florida Bar, which makes it more verifiable than most claims in lawyer advertising. Board certification is the most trustworthy credential regarding a lawyer's skill and expertise.

What Types of Criminal Cases Does Stephen Cobb Handle?

His profile lists a wide range of matters across Florida: felony and misdemeanor cases, capital cases, DUI and traffic offenses, drug charges, violent crimes, white collar crimes, sex crimes, theft, juvenile defense, and appeals and post-conviction relief.

Felonies are the more serious category and generally carry the possibility of prison time, while misdemeanors generally carry lighter penalties such as shorter jail terms, fines or probation (see the difference between a felony and a misdemeanor). The right approach to a case depends on the charge, the evidence and the client's circumstances, which is why a lawyer needs to review the specifics.

What Is Brain Imaging Defense?

Stephen Cobb's profile describes him as a nationally recognized leader in using advanced brain imaging in criminal cases. Brain imaging refers to tools such as MRI and PET scans that can show aspects of how a brain is structured or functioning.

In some cases, defense lawyers present this kind of evidence to help a court understand a person's mental condition, for example in questions about competency or about the circumstances of an offense. Courts differ in how they treat such evidence, and its weight depends heavily on the facts and on qualified experts.

His profile says he was featured in Kevin Davis's book The Brain Defense and that he writes the brain imaging chapter in the American Bar Association's training manual Defending People with Disabilities. Prospective clients who want to know whether this approach could apply to a particular case should ask him directly.

Where Does Stephen Cobb Practice?

His office is at 1992 Lewis Turner Boulevard, Suite 101-B, in Fort Walton Beach, Florida. His profile says he practices criminal defense throughout Florida, with a primary focus on the First Judicial Circuit.

He serves clients in Eglin Air Force Base, Fort Walton Beach, Destin, Miramar Beach, Pensacola, Crestview, DeFuniak Springs, Milton, Shalimar, Okaloosa Island and surrounding communities of Northwest Florida. The First Judicial Circuit covers Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa and Walton Counties. See more criminal defense lawyers in Florida.

What Should You Do If You Are Arrested or Under Investigation?

The basics are widely shared. People generally have the right to remain silent and the right to speak with a lawyer, and it is usually wise to contact a criminal defense attorney before answering questions from investigators.

What is said early can affect the rest of a case, so it helps to be polite, avoid discussing the facts without counsel present, and write down what happened as soon as possible. Every situation is different, and a licensed attorney can explain the options that apply to yours.

How Do DUI Cases Work in Florida?

A DUI arrest in Florida has at least two separate tracks. One is the criminal case in court. The other is an administrative process that affects the driver's license and has short deadlines.

Because those deadlines can pass quickly, anyone arrested for DUI should speak with a lawyer promptly. Stephen Cobb's profile lists DUI and traffic offenses among the cases he handles.

What Is Stephen Cobb's Background in Teaching and Writing?

Alongside his practice, he has been a professor of evidence law at the University of West Florida and teaches LSAT preparation courses. Evidence law governs what a court may consider, which is central to trial work.

A directory bio lists him as the author of Florida Criminal Law. A podcast bio describes him as a life member of the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.

Where Did Stephen Cobb Study?

After obtaining two degrees in computers and electronic technology, he earned a B.A. in History from the University of Missouri in 1986 and pursued additional study in history and law at Victoria University of Manchester in England. He then returned to Florida and earned his J.D. from Florida State University College of Law in 1989.

How Should You Choose a Criminal Defense Lawyer in Northwest Florida?

A few practical checks can help (see how to choose a criminal defense lawyer). Confirm that the lawyer is licensed in Florida, and ask how much of the practice is criminal defense and how often the lawyer tries cases. Board certification in criminal trial law is the single most important credential worth asking about: most lawyers who practice criminal law are NOT certified as a criminal law specialist.

It is also reasonable to ask who will handle your case day to day, how fees are structured, and how the lawyer will keep you informed. No lawyer can promise an outcome, and a good answer will explain the risks as clearly as the options. Credentials and reviews can be a starting point, but a consultation is the best way to judge whether a lawyer is the right fit.

What Is Cobb Law Firm?

Cobb Law Firm is the criminal defense practice Stephen Cobb opened in 1997. It is located at 1992 Lewis Turner Boulevard, Suite 101-B, Fort Walton Beach, Florida 32547, and its website is cobblawfirm.com. Some directories list it as the Cobb Criminal Defense Law Firm.

How Can You Contact Stephen Cobb?

You can reach Cobb Law Firm by phone at 850-423-0035 or through its website at cobblawfirm.com. Please do not send confidential information before an attorney-client relationship has been established.