Contact Info

Managing Partner
727-828-3900
info@goldmanwetzel.com

Main Offices:

  • St. Petersburg, FL
  • Tampa, FL

About Maribeth

Maribeth Wetzel is a zealous trial attorney, devoted to advocating on behalf of individuals accused of committing serious crimes in Tampa Bay. Beth has built a strong background in criminal trial practice and has always worked for the defense. Additionally, Ms. Wetzel has extensive experience with departure hearings and seeking treatment for those who have been dually diagnosed with mental health and substance abuse issues.

After majoring in Criminal Justice at Michigan State University, Beth attended law school at the University of Toledo. She then moved to the Tampa Bay area and began her law career representing those who could not afford a lawyer as a public defender in Pinellas County. As a public defender, Beth quickly gained trial experience in misdemeanor, felony and juvenile courtrooms. Ms. Wetzel then practiced complex civil litigation at a defense firm in Tampa before going back to her true passion, criminal defense. Ms. Wetzel is admitted to the Florida Bar and the U.S. Middle District of Florida.

Ms. Wetzel also has strong ties to the community. In the past she has served on the Board of Directors for Brookwood Florida, a therapeutic home for adolescent girls, mentored children through the non-profit organization, Lawyers for Literacy, volunteered as a hearing officer for the Pinellas County Housing Authority and served as an ex-officio member of the Florida Young Lawyers Division Board of Governors.

Beth co-founded the law firm of Goldman Wetzel with Summer Goldman to focus her practice on complex and serious criminal offenses with an emphasis on trial work. She handles all manner of criminal cases in local, juvenile, state and federal courts.

Experience

Beth has focused her career on representing individuals charged with complex criminal offenses. Her trial experience includes sex offenses, drug trafficking, murder, white collar, and weapons offenses.  

 

  • Currently focused on serious criminal defense cases in private practice
  • Former Pinellas County Public Defender
  • Practiced complex civil litigation with an insurance defense firm

Beth has taken each of these invaluable experiences and the unique constraints that come with each role to develop more creative solutions and effective strategies for her clients.

 

Professional Involvement & Recognition

  • The National Trial Lawyers TOP 100 for Criminal Defense Trial Lawyers in Florida
  • Florida Bar Grievance Committee Member
  • President of the Barney Masterson Inn of Court
  • Lawyers for Literacy, Past volunteer tutor
  • Young Lawyers Division of the Florida Bar, Past Board of Governors Member
  • Selected as a 2022 Elite Lawyer

Education

  • University of Toledo College of Law, Juris Doctorate, 2001
  • Michigan State University, Criminal Justice Major, 1995

Bar Admissions

  • Florida Bar Association, 2002
  • United States District Court, Middle District of Florida, 2007
  • United States District Court, Southern District of Florida, 2020

Past & Present Community Involvement

  • Board of Directors of Brookwood Florida
  • Pinellas County Housing Authority, Past Volunteer Hearing Officer
  • Puppy Raiser with Southeastern Guide Dogs
  • Commissioner for City of Treasure Island
  • Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council