María Bastos
Your Future Is Worth the Fight
About
María has a deep understanding of the criminal justice system, with extensive experience in both prosecuting and defending people accused of committing crimes. She has successfully litigated numerous jury trials, non-jury trials, and motions—and she has achieved favorable verdicts with every trial. Her knowledge and experience on both sides—prosecution and defense—allow her to confidently and aggressively tailor her clients’ defenses to the unique facts of every case.
Prior to creating Bastos Defense, P.A., María worked for the Florida Attorney General as a statewide prosecutor in Tampa and Fort Myers, and she was a state attorney in Pinellas and Hillsborough Counties. She investigated and prosecuted complex multi-defendant, multi-circuit state criminal cases—including, but absolutely not limited to, drug trafficking, human trafficking, racketeering, sex crimes, crimes against children, child pornography, travelling to meet a minor, unlawful sexual activity with a minor, and white-collar crimes. She has extensive hands-on experience with search warrant applications and executions, wiretaps, computer encryption, cybercrimes, domestic violence, driving under the influence, and drug investigations.
Born in Costa Rica, María is fluent in both Spanish and English.
Education
- University of Oxford, Oxford, England
- Advanced International Advocacy
- Stetson University College of Law, Gulfport, Florida
- Juris Doctor
- University of North Florida, Jacksonville, Florida
- Bachelor of Arts, Honors Distinction
- Major in Political Science
Advanced Training & Certifications
- Advanced International Advocacy Seminar, Oxford, England
- University of Oxford, Keble College
- Gerald T. Bennett Advocacy Training
- University of Florida, Levin College of Law
- National Cyber Crime Conference
- Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office
- Encryption in Criminal Prosecutions
- United States Secret Service National Computer Forensics Institute
- Advanced Domestic Violence Trial Advocacy Seminar
- Florida Prosecuting Attorneys Association
- DWI Detection and Standardized Field Sobriety Testing
- Clearwater Police Department
- Advanced DUI Prosecutor’s Seminar
- Florida Traffic Safety Resource Prosecutor Program
- Basic DUI Prosecutor’s Seminar
- Florida Traffic Safety Resource Prosecutor Program
- White Collar Criminal Defense College
- National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
Professional Memberships & Associations
- Pinellas County Trial Lawyers Association, Member
- St. Petersburg Bar Association, Member
- Criminal Law Section of the Florida Bar, Member
- Family Law Section of the Florida Bar, Member
- Canakaris Inn of Court, Member
- Human Trafficking Task Force, Tampa Bay & Southwest Florida Regions (2020–2023)
- Lee County Bar Association, Member, Diversity and Inclusion Committee (2020–2022)
