Jay R. Rooth is a criminal defense attorney with experience and perspective on both sides of the law. Before founding Moses & Rooth PA with attorney Andrew Moses in Orlando, Jay served as an assistant state attorney in the Ninth Judicial Circuit Court, which serves Orange and Osceola counties. As a former Prosecutor, Jay Rooth has unique experience and perspective in defending his clients. This experience allows him the opportunity to identify legal issues with a criminal case and use that to our advantage.
With more than 15 years of experience as a Central Florida attorney, Jay’s casework and experiences prosecuting and defending a broad range of clients with varying levels of legal needs has led to a long series of successful outcomes and accomplishments. Jay works diligently and vigorously as a full-time criminal defense lawyer, defending the constitutional rights and best interests of clients. He is aggressive and accomplished in pretrial litigation, case preparation, negotiation, and trial.
Personalized and attentive service to each individual client makes Jay easily accessible to clients and provides every client with thorough case preparation and professional execution for positive results.
Jay received a bachelor’s degree and MBA from Stetson University, and he earned his Juris Doctor from Barry University. His criminal defense practice includes drug crimes, DUI/DWI, traffic violations, juvenile offenses, robbery and burglary, fraud, sex crimes, theft, domestic violence and other violent crimes.
Education
Barry University Dwayne O. Andreas School of Law 2002
Attended the study abroad program at Magdalen College, Oxford University
Stetson University, DeLand, Florida, M.B.A. 2001
Stetson University, DeLand, Florida, B.A. in Business
Tampa Jesuit High School, Tampa, Florida, 1993
Bar Admissions
U.S. District Court Middle District of Florida
Florida Bar member
Professional Associations and Memberships
Florida Bar – Member 2003 – present
Florida Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys – Member 2006 – present
Central Florida Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys – 2006 – present
National Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys – Member 2010- present
Executive Board member of the Orange County Bar Association Criminal Committee 2011 – 2020
Orange County Bar Association – Member 2006- present
Volunteer Orange County Teen Court Judge, 2013
Licensed in the U.S. District Court Middle District of Florida
2A Legal Defense Attorney
Past Employment Positions:
Office of the State Attorney, Assistant State Attorney (Orange and Osceola Counties) 2003-2006
Special Licenses/Certifications:
- U.S. District Court Middle District of Florida
- Florida Bar License
Pro bono/Community Service:
- Legal Aid Society – Assist with criminal cases 2012 – present
- Orange County Teen Court Judge and Advisor , 2013
- Maitland Soccer Club Volunteer, 2018
- Board of Trustees for The White Family Foundation
- YMCA volunteer 2013- 2018
- Board of Directors for the Windsong Community HOA 2014- present
- South Orlando Little League Volunteer, 2014
Honors/Awards:
- Orlando Family Magazine – Awesome Attorneys, Orlando Family Magazine, 2021
- Legal Elite, Florida Trend Magazine, 2020
- Florida Legal Elite, Florida Trend, 2015 and 2016
- Top 50: 2020 Orlando Super Lawyers
- Avvo 10.0 Superb Rating and Clients Choice Award
- Av Preeminent by Martindale-Hubbell (the highest rating given by Martindale-Hubbell, indicating that an attorney’s peers have ranked them at the highest level of professional excellence)
Scholarly Lectures/Writings:
Jay Rooth authored a chapter for the book titled: Strategies for Defending Identity Theft Cases. This book was written by leading lawyers from across the country and focused on understanding identity theft crime, preparing a thorough defense, and managing technological evidence. Jay Rooth authored the chapter titled: Identity Fraud Defense Understanding The Facts Better Than The Prosecution. , Co-Author, Strategies For Defending Identity Theft Cases, Aspatore Publishing, 2012
Authored the chapter titled “Credibility Strategies for an Incredible Defense” by Aspatore Book Publishing in 2012. This Book provides an authoritative, insider’s perspective on best practices for handling cases involving a domestic dispute. The featured criminal defense attorneys from around the country provided a detailed landscape of the trends and cases that other lawyers need to be aware of in domestic cases. Co-Author, Strategies for Defending Domestic Violence Cases, 2012
Speaking engagement – Fraternal Order of Police conference speaking/panel regarding Critical Response and the role of Florida Department of Law enforcement – 2024 and 2025