Jessica has spent her entire professional career of 17 years practicing exclusively in criminal defense. She has defended clients' rights in thousands of cases and has extensive trial experience.

Jessica Deaton grew up in Venice, FL and after graduating high school, she received a full scholarship for swimming to the University of Miami. She then transferred to Flagler College where she received a scholarship for cross country running. After graduating college, Jessica went on to attend Florida Coastal School of Law in Jacksonville, FL. While in law school, Jessica received a highly competitive internship position with the Navy JAG, where she fell in love with criminal defense work. After law school, Jessica worked as an Assistant Public Defender for three years in St. Johns County, Florida, and then went on to practice criminal law as an associate defense attorney for a local private law firm for an additional two years. In 2012 Jessica opened up her own criminal defense firm in Saint Augustine, FL, before deciding to join forces with Bernhardt Riley, Attorneys at Law, PLLC.

Jessica loves spending time with her family hiking, skiing and surfing, and she is also passionate about fostering and helping animals in need. Jessica was on the board of directors for the Humane Society in Saint Augustine, FL, and is an active participant in her community. Jessica is also the head swim coach for her local High School Men's and Women's Swim Teams.