Jocelyn Dopson-Rodriguez
Jocelyn Dopson-Rodriguez is a criminal defense attorney at Sammis Law Firm who splits her practice between Central Florida and the Tampa Bay area. Based primarily in Orlando, she regularly represents clients throughout Orange, Osceola, Seminole, and Polk Counties, and also appears in courts across Hillsborough, Pinellas, and Pasco.
Jocelyn handles all facets of criminal defense, from traffic offenses and misdemeanors to serious felony matters, and is particularly sought out for juvenile defense, DUI cases, battery and domestic violence allegations, and injunction proceedings.
Jocelyn earned her Bachelor of Science in Legal Studies with a minor in Criminal Justice from the University of Central Florida and her Juris Doctorate from the Florida A&M University College of Law. She began her legal career as an Assistant Public Defender in the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit in Tampa, Florida, where she zealously represented indigent adults and juveniles charged with a wide range of criminal offenses. In that role, she handled hundreds of cases and tried numerous jury and non-jury trials, developing substantial experience in trial advocacy, evidentiary challenges, suppression issues, and pretrial motion practice. Her time as a public defender sharpened her ability to evaluate cases efficiently, litigate constitutional issues, and advocate decisively at every stage of the criminal process.
She later transitioned into civil litigation, representing public and private entities in complex state and federal matters involving civil rights claims, negligence, construction defect litigation, and first-party property disputes. During this time, Jocelyn also had the opportunity to take a civil case to a jury trial—an experience that remains uncommon in modern civil practice and further strengthened her trial advocacy skills. Her civil litigation background meaningfully enhances her criminal defense practice, particularly in cases requiring detailed written motion practice, depositions, witness testimony, and high-level negotiations.
After returning exclusively to the criminal sector and joining Sammis Law Firm, Jocelyn has focused her practice on criminal defense and juvenile representation, while also utilizing her civil litigation background to assist the managing partner with civil asset forfeiture matters. She brings a methodical, detail-oriented approach to every case, with a focus on identifying procedural and constitutional issues, developing sound litigation strategy, and guiding clients through high-stakes situations with clarity and confidence.
Jocelyn’s commitment to service extends beyond the courtroom. In July 2025, she was appointed by the Governor of Florida to serve on the Board of Trustees for Florida A&M University, reflecting a high level of public trust and institutional responsibility. In addition, she serves as a Guardian ad Litem in the Ninth Judicial Circuit, advocating for the best interests of children in dependency proceedings, while also serving Tampa’s youth by mentoring future legal professionals as a high school mock trial coach.
She also remains actively engaged in the legal community as a member of the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (FACDL), the Central Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (CFACDL), the National College for DUI Defense (NCDD), the DUI Defense Lawyers Association (DUIDLA), the Paul C. Perkins Bar Association, the Orange County Bar Association (OCBA), and the George Edgecomb Bar Association (GEBA).
A defender and public servant at her core, Jocelyn approaches every case with diligence, strategic judgment, compassion, and an unwavering commitment to protecting the rights and futures of those she represents.