Best Tampa, FL Criminal Defense Lawyers

When facing criminal charges in Tampa, your choice of legal representation can shape your future. We've analyzed local defense attorneys with strong records in Hillsborough County courts. Review our researched selections below to find a skilled defender for your case.

Our Top 3 Picks:

1

The Hardy Law Firm

thehardylawfirm.com
  • Specializes in criminal defense with a focus on DUI, drug offenses, and violent crimes.
  • Attorneys are members of the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (FACDL).
  • High success rate in case dismissals and acquittals.
  • Extensive experience in both state and federal courts.
2

Hillsborough Defense

hillsboroughdefense.com
  • Experienced in handling high-profile cases including white-collar crimes and sex offenses.
  • Board-certified criminal trial lawyers by the Florida Bar.
  • Active members of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL).
  • Known for aggressive defense strategies and client-focused approach.
3

Mark J. O'Brien

markjobrien.com
  • Over 25 years of experience in criminal defense.
  • Former prosecutor providing insight into both sides of the courtroom.
  • Member of the Hillsborough County Bar Association.
  • Specializes in complex cases like homicide, sex crimes, and drug trafficking.

Find Top Tampa Criminal Attorneys Near Me

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List of the Top-rated Criminal Defense Attorneys in Tampa, Florida

Screenshot of the Hanlon Law Website
210 N Pierce St, Tampa, FL 33602, USA

Dedicated criminal defense lawyers at Hanlon Law offer skilled advocacy in Tampa. With over 20 years of experience, they protect clients charged with criminal accusations. The firm handles drug crimes, sex crimes, violent crimes, and DUI cases. Hanlon Law aims for the best outcomes in misdemeanor and felony cases. Their focus is on aggressive and effective legal representation.

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Screenshot of the The Hardy Law Firm, P.A. Website
1710 N 19th St Suite 215, Tampa, FL 33605, USA

The Hardy Law, P.A. serves Tampa with exceptional legal counsel. Our trial lawyers specialize in criminal defense, DUI defense, and federal criminal cases. We offer free consultations and speak Spanish fluently. As a Florida and nationally board-certified expert, our firm provides skilled representation. Our reasonable fees and background as former prosecutors ensure fair, knowledgeable defense.

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Screenshot of the Hersem Law Website
1550 W Cleveland St Suite 9, Tampa, FL 33606, USA

Protecting your rights in criminal defense cases. Our Tampa firm handles drug crimes, expungements, and traffic tickets. We offer free strategy sessions and personalized attention. Attorney Christopher Hersem holds a 10.0 Avvo rating and was named #1 Tampa Bay DUI attorney by Tampa Magazine. When hiring a criminal lawyer, choose Hersem Law for expert legal help.

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Screenshot of the Metcalf Falls, Criminal Defense Attorneys, P.A. Website

Skilled criminal defense representation by Metcalf Falls Attorneys. Our Tampa firm offers strategic legal solutions for various offenses. We handle DUI cases, domestic violence, drug crimes, and more. Our team assists with bail hearings and record expungements. As top-rated criminal defense experts, we're available 24/7 and offer free consultations. We also specialize in defending licensed professionals facing charges. Choose us for dedicated criminal defense in Tampa.

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Screenshot of the Sammis Law Firm Website
1005 N Marion St, Tampa, FL 33602, USA

Top-rated criminal defense attorneys at Sammis Firm serve Tampa and nearby areas. They handle a wide range of cases, from DUI to white-collar crime. The firm offers free consultations and represents professionals facing charges. Their lawyers belong to key criminal defense associations. The legal practice has offices in Tampa, Clearwater, and New Port Richey.

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Screenshot of the Law Office of Michael P. Maddux, PA Website

Michael P. Maddux, P.A. in Tampa, offers expert legal services in personal injury, criminal defense, and civil rights. With 6 decades of combined experience, the firm helps people in crisis. Michael P. Maddux has been Board Certified in multiple areas since 1999. The practice focuses on resolving difficult problems with compassion. They develop personal goals for each case to address clients' emotional and financial concerns.

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Screenshot of the O'Brien Hatfield, P.A. Website
511 W Bay St Suite 330, Tampa, FL 33606, USA

O'Brien Hatfield in Tampa provides top-rated federal criminal defense services. Their attorneys have over 50 years of combined experience handling drug charges, white collar crimes, and appeals. They serve clients in Tampa, Orlando, and Miami. Their expertise ensures fair trials and robust defense strategies. The firm's deep knowledge of federal law helps clients achieve the best possible outcomes.

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Screenshot of the Greater Tampa Law, P.L. Website
1207 N Franklin St #102, Tampa, FL 33602, USA

Greater Tampa Law P.L. specializes in criminal law. Our legal professionals handle various criminal charges, from theft to DUI. We also offer services in child custody, injunctions, and personal injury cases. Our Tampa-based attorneys bring experience as former assistant state attorneys. With over 120 jury trials, we provide expert defense against felony and misdemeanor charges. Free consultations are available.

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Screenshot of the Mike G Law Website
1005 N Marion St #118, Tampa, FL 33602, USA

Your advocates for criminal defense matters in Tampa. With over 25 years of experience, our firm offers strong defense for a wide range of charges. As a former prosecutor, Mike G brings unique insights to each case. We provide free evaluations and flexible payment options. Our AV Preeminent rating reflects our commitment to legal excellence and ethical standards.

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Screenshot of the Brunvand & Wise Law Group Website
615 Turner St, Clearwater, FL 33756, USA

Brunvand & Wise Law Group defends clients in Tampa and Clearwater. They offer free consultations for drug charges, DUI, and federal crimes. With over 40 years of combined experience, they've won acquittals in serious cases. Their attorneys belong to key legal organizations that strengthen their defense strategies. They focus on protecting client rights through aggressive representation. Their expertise spans state and federal courts throughout Florida.

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Screenshot of the Law Office of Jessenia Rosales, LLC Website
13119 W Linebaugh Ave #102, Tampa, FL 33626, USA

Our firm offers expert defense for DUI, misdemeanors, and felonies. We also handle family law cases, including divorce and child custody. Attorney Jessenia Rosales, recognized as a Top 40 Under 40 Trial Lawyer, provides free consultations. We serve clients across Florida, including Hillsborough and Pinellas counties. Choose us for strong legal representation in criminal and family matters.

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Screenshot of the Bauer Crider Kindel & Parry Website
1550 S Highland Ave suite c, Clearwater, FL 33756, USA

Bauer, Crider, Kindel, and Parry provide criminal defense services to Clearwater, Port Richey, and beyond. Their attorneys have over 100 years of combined experience. They have handled more than 10,000 cases. The team handles cases like drug crimes, DUI, violent crimes, and white-collar crimes in both state and federal court. Two of the attorneys are board-certified criminal lawyers. The firm offers free initial consultations to discuss your defense strategy. Their goal is to achieve the most favorable outcome for those accused of a crime.

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Screenshot of the Thomas & Paulk, P.A. Website
217 N Howard Ave STE 100, Tampa, FL 33606, USA

Thomas & Paulk, P.A. provides comprehensive legal services in Tampa, Florida. Since 2001, our experienced criminal defense attorneys have handled over 7,000 cases. We focus on criminal defense and DUI cases. Our team offers free consultations and is available 24/7. We use aggressive strategies to protect our clients facing serious criminal charges.

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Screenshot of the Marc A. Joseph Website
400N N Ashley Dr Suite 1900, Tampa, FL 33602, USA

Attorney Marc A. Joseph brings 18+ years of criminal defense experience to Tampa. His firm has successfully represented thousands of clients in drug crimes, DUIs, and theft cases throughout Florida. They handle felony and misdemeanor charges with a strategic approach backed by extensive knowledge of state law. The practice also assists clients with record sealing and expungement procedures. With a proven track record of favorable outcomes, Marc provides thorough defense strategies tailored to each client's legal situation.

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Screenshot of the Elsea Law Firm, P.A. Website
806 E Jackson St Ste. 3, Tampa, FL 33602, USA

Elsea Law Firm, P.A. delivers results in criminal defense litigation. Based in Tampa, we handle a wide range of criminal matters. Our services cover felony charges, drug offenses, and traffic violations. We also defend clients against theft, weapons, and violent crime charges. Our practice offers free initial consultations for every criminal case. We work hard to protect your rights and achieve the best possible outcome.

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Screenshot of the Mayberry Law Firm Website
3902 Henderson Blvd #208-136, Tampa, FL 33629, USA

Tampa's premier criminal defense law firm. Mayberry offers experienced defense representation for federal and state crimes in Tampa. We handle sex crimes, fraud, and drug cases. Our "client first" approach balances compassion with effective strategies. Attorney Jason Mayberry, rated "superb" by AVVO, provides free initial consultations.

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Screenshot of the King Law Group - Clearwater Criminal Defense Lawyer Website

King Law Group defends clients in Pasco, Pinellas, and Hillsborough Counties. Founded by former prosecutor Cameron King, they handle DUIs, violent crimes, and other criminal cases. They offer free consultations, bail hearings, and plea negotiations.

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Screenshot of the Pallegar Law, P.A. Website
1211 N Westshore Blvd #102, Tampa, FL 33607, USA

Pallegar Law, P.A. serves Tampa with exceptional legal counsel. Our firm specializes in criminal defense and DUI cases. We handle drug crimes, white-collar offenses, and domestic violence matters. Our team is available 24/7 to discuss your criminal matter.

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Screenshot of the The Law Office of Chris Beardslee Website

Since 2016, Chris Beardslee has defended Tampa residents charged with a criminal offense. Our firm handles DUIs, drug charges, theft, and juvenile cases. We offer free consultations and clear legal advice. Our experienced criminal defense team has secured dismissals and reduced charges. We're licensed in Florida state and federal courts. We also assist veterans facing legal challenges.

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Screenshot of the Law Office of W.F. "Casey" Ebsary, Jr. Website

The Law Office of W.F. "Casey" Ebsary Jr. brings strong criminal defense to Tampa residents. As a former prosecutor and Florida Bar Board Certified attorney, Casey brings insider knowledge to each case. His criminal defense practice spans:

  • DUI defense and traffic violations
  • Drug offense representation
  • White-collar crime defense
  • Domestic violence cases
  • Theft and probation matters

The firm offers free case evaluations and creates strategic defense plans based on each client's situation.

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Screenshot of the Brian Palacios Law - Criminal & DUI Attorney Website

Brian Palacios Law brings unique prosecution insight to Tampa criminal defense cases. As a former State Prosecutor, Mr. Palacios handles matters ranging from juvenile arrests to serious felony charges. The firm focuses on protecting clients' rights and securing favorable outcomes throughout the legal process. As an active member of the Florida Bar, he stays current with evolving legal standards to provide effective representation across Tampa Bay.

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Screenshot of the The Law Offices of Elsa Ayoub, P.L.L.C. Website

At The Law Offices of Elsa Ayoub, our New York City business immigration lawyer specializes in providing tailored business immigration solutions to help you achieve your American dream.

Screenshot of the Athanaselos & Associates, P.A. Website
8217 Massachusetts Ave, New Port Richey, FL 34653, USA

Athanaselos & Associates, P.A., is your trusted legal partner in Pasco County. Whether you’re facing criminal charges, managing a business, or navigating a real estate transaction, we’re here to provide the skilled and compassionate legal representation you deserve. When people in Pasco County have a problem, they turn to John Athanaselos to fix it. Contact our Pasco County criminal defense lawyer today.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How Does the Criminal Court Process Work in Tampa?

The Hillsborough County criminal justice system follows specific procedures. Understanding these steps helps you know what to expect:

  • First appearance - Within 24 hours of arrest, you'll see a judge at the courthouse on Twiggs Street who reviews your charges and sets bail
  • Arraignment - The formal reading of charges where you enter a plea, typically within 30 days of arrest
  • Pretrial hearings - Multiple court dates where your attorney can challenge evidence and negotiate with prosecutors
  • Trial preparations - Your defense team gathers evidence and prepares court strategies

What Makes Tampa Criminal Cases Different?

Local factors in Tampa influence how criminal cases proceed. The legal landscape includes:

Local ElementImpact on Cases
State Attorney's OfficeSpecific prosecution policies for Tampa cases
Drug court programsAlternative sentencing options for qualifying cases
Veterans treatment courtSpecial programs for military service members
Local law enforcementTampa PD and HCSO procedures affect evidence

What Rights Do You Have After an Arrest in Tampa?

Florida law provides specific protections after arrest. Key rights include:

  • Right to silence - You can decline to answer questions beyond identifying information
  • Legal representation - You can request an attorney before any questioning begins
  • Phone calls - You have the right to contact family or your lawyer
  • Bail consideration - Most charges qualify for pretrial release options

How Can a Tampa Criminal Defense Attorney Help?

A local defense attorney provides crucial services throughout your case:

  • Case analysis - Reviews evidence, police reports, and witness statements to find weaknesses in the prosecution's case
  • Motion practice - Files legal documents to suppress evidence or dismiss charges when possible
  • Negotiations - Works with state attorneys to reduce charges or arrange alternative sentencing
  • Court representation - Presents your defense and protects your rights in all proceedings

What Are Common Defense Strategies in Tampa Courts?

Defense approaches vary by case type. Common strategies include:

  • Constitutional challenges - Questions about search procedures and Miranda rights
  • Evidence analysis - Examining body camera footage and police procedures
  • Witness credibility - Investigating reliability of prosecution witnesses
  • Alternative programs - Seeking diversion or treatment options when available

How Should You Prepare for Your Criminal Case?

Taking these steps strengthens your defense:

  • Document preservation - Save all paperwork related to your arrest and charges
  • Communication records - Keep notes about police interactions and court dates
  • Witness information - Gather contact details for anyone who saw the incident
  • Court compliance - Follow all release conditions and appear at required hearings


Note: This information serves educational purposes only and should not substitute for legal advice. Each criminal case presents unique circumstances - consult with a qualified Florida criminal defense attorney about your specific situation and rights under state law.