About Richard A
Richard A Canina earned his law degree from Stetson University College of Law in 2007 after completing undergraduate studies at Florida State University, where he received a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Criminology in 2003. His academic path combined social science and legal training, providing a foundation for work in criminal justice and courtroom practice.
After law school, Canina entered public defense. In 2010 he served as an Assistant Public Defender in the 20th Judicial Circuit. That role put him in court regularly. He handled arraignments, pretrial hearings and trials for clients who relied on the public defender's office. The work demanded quick judgment and steady preparation. It also gave him direct experience with trial procedure and client advocacy in Florida courts.
Canina’s background aligns with criminal defense practice. He is a current member of the Florida Bar and holds memberships in organizations oriented toward criminal defense, including the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. He also belongs to the Brevard County Bar Association. Those affiliations indicate ongoing engagement with colleagues and continuing legal education on issues affecting criminal practice in the state.
Colleagues and court records reflect that Canina has spent much of his professional life addressing criminal matters. His time in the public defender’s office required managing caseloads that ranged from misdemeanor charges to serious felony allegations. He has experience conducting investigations, interviewing witnesses, and presenting evidence at trial. He has appeared in hearings across the 20th Judicial Circuit and has familiarity with local court procedures.
Outside of court, Canina’s training in psychology and criminology informs how he evaluates cases. That perspective can affect case theory, mitigation efforts and client interviews. He has combined academic study and courtroom work to assess the human and procedural dimensions of criminal cases.
As an active member of the Florida Bar and local professional groups, Canina continues to participate in the legal community. Public records list his work as including the public defender’s office in the 20th Judicial Circuit. He practices under the rules of the Florida Bar and remains active in bar and defense organizations. He currently focuses his practice on criminal defense matters in Florida.
