Expertise.com

2024

Last updated:

Best Criminal Defense Attorneys in Tampa

Our Recommended Top 20

We did the research for you!

  • Licensing
  • User Reviews
  • Mystery Shopping Calls

Our goal is to connect people with the best local professionals. We scored Tampa Criminal Defense Attorneys on more than 25 variables across five categories, and analyzed the results to give you a hand-picked list of the best.

265Reviewed

167Curated

20Top Picks

Learn about our selection process.

Providers

featured provider = Featured Provider

625 E Twiggs St Suite 1000 Unit 117, Tampa, FL 33602
Website

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
5.0 (134)
Avvo
5.0 (117)
Yelp
5.0 (3)

Why choose this provider?

Located in Tampa and serving clients across the state of Florida from its multiple office locations, Musca Law is a criminal defense law firm that offers aggressive representation on behalf of its clients. Its legal team brings over a century and a half of combined experience in criminal defense law and has a proven track record of successfully representing those accused of crimes. Cases taken include a variety of violent and sex crimes, DUI, drug offenses, and white-collar crimes. Musca Law offers free consultations and case evaluations to new clients.

  • Trespassing
  • Concealed Weapons
  • DUI with Manslaughter
  • Sex Crimes
  • Injunction
  • Traffic Offenses
  • Theft Crimes
  • Federal Crimes
  • Expungement
  • DUI

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
John Musca - PartnerActive25 yrs
Jonathan Dingus - Senior AttorneyActive35 yrs
Derrick Smith - Senior AttorneyActive30 yrs

Tampa, FL

Expertise.com Rating

Why choose this provider?

Need help contacting a Criminal Defense Attorney in Tampa? Call our Concierge team at 848-Book-Pro (848-266-5776 from 6 am - 4 pm PT | Mon - Fri). They are standing by to help you get the service you need.

2202 N West Shore Blvd Ste 200, Tampa, FL 33607

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
5.0 (66)
Facebook
4.5 (14)

Why choose this provider?

Joffe Law PA has provided criminal defense in Tampa and throughout Florida since 1989. It advocates for individuals charged with state and federal crimes, with a focus on representation at the federal and international levels. The firm's cases include cyberstalking, alien smuggling, kidnapping, bank robbery, and drug offenses. It defends clients in bank, bankruptcy, credit card, insurance, identity, mail, and mortgage fraud as well as those accused of bribery, embezzlement, RICO, and insider trading.

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
David Joffe - PrincipalActive35 yrs

4625 E Bay Dr Ste 203, Clearwater, FL 33764

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.5 (13)
Yelp
3.5 (3)

Why choose this provider?

Backed by over 40 years of criminal law experience, Sandefer Law Firm concentrates on defending Tampa metro area residents facing criminal charges. These charges include child or elder abuse, sex crimes or battery, homicide and DUI manslaughter, and drug trafficking, sale, and possession. Other crimes for which attorney Larry Sandefer offers defense assistance include domestic violence, theft, weapons charges, and consumer crimes. Mr. Sandefer has been named to the Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers in America.

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Larry Sandefer - PrincipalActive46 yrs

3502 Henderson Blvd. Suite 210, Tampa, FL 33609

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Avvo
5.0 (17)
Google
5.0 (14)

Why choose this provider?

Brian Palacios Law is a criminal defense-focused law firm serving clients throughout the Tampa metro area. Founder Brian Palacios has former experience as a state prosecutor and represents clients charged with crimes ranging from mild traffic offenses to murder. This firm handles most types of violent crime cases, including those counted as sex-based offenses. It's also prepared to represent clients charged with crimes at both the state and federal levels. Brian Palacios Law offers sealing and expungement services as well.

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Brian Palacios - PrincipalActive15 yrs

115 S Albany Ave, Tampa, FL 33606

Expertise.com Rating

Why choose this provider?

Lopez & Rossi is a law firm based in Tampa. Its lawyers handle misdemeanor and felony criminal cases in federal and state courts. The firm takes on juvenile crimes, drug offenses, violent crimes, charges of theft, DUI/DWI, fraud, and sex crimes. Attorneys assist with probation violations and traffic offenses. Other practice areas include family law and personal injury. The firm assists Spanish-speaking clients, and Lawyer Ray C. Lopez has over 22 years of experience.

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Ray Lopez - PrincipalActive34 yrs

1211 N West Shore Blvd Ste 102, Tampa, FL 33607

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
5.0 (36)
Avvo
5.0 (6)

Why choose this provider?

Pallegar Law PA provides legal representation in the greater Tampa area. It defends clients accused of misdemeanors and felonies, including driving under the influence, fraud, identity theft, white-collar crimes, drug offenses, weapons charges, and sex crimes. The firm reviews the arrest report and interviews witnesses. It evaluates evidence and data to ensure its clients' rights are not violated. Additionally, Pallegar Law represents individuals in personal injury cases, including vehicular accidents and animal bites.

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Ajay Pallegar - Managing AttorneyActive17 yrs
Ajay Pallegar - Managing AttorneyActive17 yrs

511 W Bay St Ste 330, Tampa, FL 33606

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.4 (74)
Facebook
4.2 (13)
Yelp
5.0 (1)

Why choose this provider?

O'Brien Hatfield PA is a Tampa-based firm that represents clients involved in federal and state criminal charges. Its range of criminal defense practices includes white-collar offenses, DUI and traffic violations, assault and battery, drug charges, gun violations, thefts, domestic violence, and sex offenses. Attorney Mark O'Brien is a former prosecutor who, along with Victoria Hatfield and Rachel Reese, uses the team's shared experience to aggressively advocate for their clients' rights and innocence.

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Mark O'brien - PartnerActive26 yrs
Rachael Reese - PartnerActive10 yrs
Victoria Hatfield - PartnerActive14 yrs

401 E Jackson St. Suite 2340, Tampa, FL 33602

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
5.0 (24)
Avvo
5.0 (3)

Why choose this provider?

Rashad Green Firm P.A. defends individuals throughout Tampa and beyond who have been charged with crimes. Green is a former prosecutor who uses his understanding of the justice system in crafting defenses to help clients get charges reduced or dropped altogether. He frequently takes on cases involving DUI, drug crimes, white-collar felonies, simple traffic violations, and petty theft cases. The firm also represents college students in criminal defense matters. Green previously served as president of the Tampa Lawyer Chapter of the American Constitution Society for Law and Policy.

401 E Jackson St Ste 1825, Tampa, FL 33602

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
5.0 (2)

Why choose this provider?

Greenspoon Marder LLP has provided legal counsel in the Tampa Bay area since 1981. It represents clients charged with driving under the influence, drug possession, sales, and trafficking, domestic violence, and RICO offenses. The firm also defends individuals in white-collar criminal cases, including conspiracy, money laundering, and insurance, Medicare, and mortgage fraud. Additionally, Greenspoon Marder offers civil defense in an extensive range of areas, including bankruptcy, labor, health care, real estate, and family law.

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Mark Rabinowitz - Partner, Practice Group Leader, Marital & Family Law GroupActive49 yrs
Skip Miller - Partner West Palm Beach, FLActive45 yrs
Gerald Greenspoon - Co-Managing Director / Co-FounderActive45 yrs
Brian Cummings - Partner Tampa, FLActive18 yrs
Dariel Abrahamy - Partner Boca Raton, FLActive19 yrs
David Kubiliun - Partner Miami, FLActive24 yrs
Heidi Boyles - PartnerActive20 yrs
Rebecca Bratter - Deputy Managing Partner Fort Lauderdale, FLActive21 yrs

602 S Boulevard, Tampa, FL 33606

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
5.0 (8)
Facebook
5.0 (1)

Why choose this provider?

Elsea Law Firm, P.A. is led by Joel Elsea, a Tampa-based criminal defense lawyer. Elsea offers counsel and representation to people charged with various crimes including DUI, theft, drug trafficking, and sex crimes. He advocates for clients with felony charges and assists them in appeals if they were convicted. He also defends minors in cases involving juvenile offenses. Elsea's work experience prior to opening his own firm includes serving as a state prosecutor for Hillsborough County for over 10 years.

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Joel Elsea - PrincipalActive20 yrs

100 S. Ashley Drive, Suite 600, Tampa, FL 33602

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.9 (57)
Avvo
5.0 (15)
Facebook
5.0 (1)

Why choose this provider?

With thousands of cases resolved, Jonah Dickstein Attorney at Law handles criminal defense cases for clients in Tampa and the surrounding areas. It provides legal counsel and representation for a broad range of cases, from DUIs and drug offenses to white-collar crimes and homicide. It also handles cases involving constitutional law, civil injunctions, and juvenile offenses. Principal attorney Jonah Dickstein is a member of the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and The National Trial Lawyers.

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Jonah Dickstein - PrincipalActive18 yrs

504 N Armenia Ave, Tampa, FL 33609

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.8 (17)
Avvo
5.0 (5)

Why choose this provider?

The Law Offices of William Tyson advocates for the rights of Tampa residents. It litigates a variety of criminal cases, representing individuals dealing with battery, petty theft, and illegal possession of firearms lawsuits. The firm also provides counsel to negligent drivers facing charges for DUI offenses. It helps clients resolve serious penalties, such as license suspension, fines, community services, and imprisonment. Founder William Tyson served as a member of the State Attorney DUI Manslaughter Prosecution Unit for over five years.

  • DWI/DUI

308 E. Oak Avenue, Second Floor, Tampa, FL 33602
Website

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.6 (20)
Avvo
4.0 (4)

Why choose this provider?

Anthony B. Marchese is a family law practitioner who caters to the residents of Tampa and nearby counties. He provides legal counsel for those paying child support, such as divorced parents and custodial guardians. Anthony reviews a client's income and court-ordered payments to determine if they are paying too much. If so, he can file for child support appeals and modifications. Alternatively, he represent clients against those who are underpaying or refusing to pay support. Anthony is also a board-certified adoption attorney and has presided over 1,500 adoption cases.

  • Child Custody

2102 W Cleveland St., Tampa, FL 33606

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.5 (58)
Avvo
4.4 (6)
Facebook
5.0 (2)

Why choose this provider?

Based in Tampa, Michael P. Maddux, P.A., Attorneys at Law provides legal representation for individuals within the local metro. Maddux is a board-certified criminal trial lawyer who has been representing clients involved in state and federal offenses since 1999. His approach includes the advocacy and defense of those who have been wronged by law enforcement units that failed to follow internal policies, standards, and constitutions. Maddux also served for two terms as the head of the Hillsborough County Criminal Defense Lawyers Association.

9312 North Armenia Avenue, Tampa, FL 33612

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
5.0 (27)
Facebook
5.0 (8)
Avvo
5.0 (3)

Why choose this provider?

Tison Law Group in Tampa provides personalized legal solutions to clients in personal injury, administrative law, and criminal defense. The firm has been around since 1998 and was founded by William "Ty" W. Tison, a criminal defense lawyer and former state prosecutor with over 30 years of legal experience. The office routinely handles violent and sex crimes, DUIs, professional violations, and drug crimes. It also offers college student defense for underage drinking and drug possession charges.

1924 W. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Tampa, FL 33607

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.5 (37)

Why choose this provider?

Viza Law is a Tampa-based firm that caters to clients across the area. It helps individuals facing criminal charges obtain a not-guilty verdict through an aggressive defense. The firm works on cases involving offenses like theft and DUI and guides clients through the process, from trial to post-conviction motions. It also assists individuals with filing claims against property owners for injuries related to slip-and-fall accidents. Victor Zamora Jr., its founder, previously worked under the State Attorney's Office in Hillsborough County. He is fluent in Spanish.

  • Theft & Burglary
  • Drug Crimes
  • Domestic Violence

1011 W. Cleveland Street, Tampa, FL 33606
Website

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Facebook
5.0 (10)
Google
5.0 (7)
Avvo
5.0 (5)

Why choose this provider?

The Suarez Law Firm serves clients in and around the Tampa metro. Its team of attorneys uses its over 40 years of combined experience in helping individuals who are facing criminal charges. These include assault and battery, attempted murder, disorderly conduct, harassment, perjury, and theft. The firm also works on cases involving white-collar crimes, such as mail and wire fraud, money laundering, and tax violations. Ed Suarez, the attorney, is licensed to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court.

  • Federal Crime
  • Drug Crimes

2607 North 15th Street, Tampa, FL 33605

Expertise.com Rating

Why choose this provider?

Tampa Legal Team has been offering tailored counsel to clients from the local metro for over three decades. The firm is headed by attorneys Joseph J. Registrato and Jeffery S. Marshall, who have defended and prosecuted numerous individuals in various cases, including those involving DUI offenses. Registrato closely scrutinizes each client's situation and creates comprehensive defense arguments using the systematic and results-driven approach that he has developed as a Marine veteran. He and Marshall also educate defendants using their knowledge of local laws and statutes.

  • Juvenile Crimes
  • Drug Crimes

210 N Pierce St, Tampa, FL 33602
Website

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Avvo
4.8 (87)
Google
4.8 (71)
Yelp
2.0 (3)

Why choose this provider?

Hanlon Law represents criminal defendants and their families in and around Tampa. The office fights and advocates for the rights of those accused of various criminal charges, such as domestic violence, reckless driving, probation violation, child abuse, DUI and DWI, and white-collar crimes. Founder Will Hanlon has been dedicating his private practice to handling criminal defense cases for more than 20 years. He has defended clients before the federal and state courts. He is also a member of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.

Disclaimer:  Consumers utilizing Expertise.com are free to communicate and contract with any lawyer they choose. Expertise.com is not involved in the confidential attorney-client relationship. Featured lawyers pay a reasonable advertising cost to market their legal services with Expertise.com and must meet similar selection criteria as other lawyers. All cases are different. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

FAQs

  • What is the non-emergency contact number for the local police station in Tampa, Florida?

    For non-emergencies, the Tampa Police Department can be reached at 813-231-6130.

  • Can you try to keep evidence from being used against you during a criminal case in Tampa?

    Evidence may be suppressed and kept out of court if its acquisition involves constitutional rights violations. Some of these violations include body and property searches without reasonable cause or a warrant and the failure of the police to read your Miranda rights during your arrest. Consult a Tampa criminal defense lawyer to determine if the evidence being used against you was illegally collected.

  • If you were charged with a crime while visiting Tampa, can you have your case moved to your home state?

    No, the case must be prosecuted in the state where the crime was supposedly committed. If you are facing misdemeanor charges, you can have a Tampa criminal defense lawyer take your case and serve as your stand-in during court proceedings. However, if you are charged with a felony, you may be required to travel and face the court in Florida. If the case reaches sentencing and you are convicted, you may have to serve your sentence in Florida.

  • Can a green card holder still be deported if convicted of a crime in Tampa?

    Yes, even with permanent residency, you may still be at risk of deportation and getting your status revoked after a criminal conviction. Aggravated felonies, drug offenses, and violent crimes like child abuse and manslaughter may lead to deportation. It is highly advisable that you work with a Tampa criminal defense lawyer to identify and mitigate potential immigration repercussions.

  • Should you avail or waive your right to a speedy trial in Tampa?

    Florida's speedy trial law gives individuals charged with a felony the right to undergo trial within 175 days of their arrest, while individuals facing misdemeanor charges have the right to a trial within 90 days of their arrest. Most Tampa criminal defense lawyers, however, advise waiving this right to have time to gather evidence and build the defense. If you initially waive this right but want to regain it, your lawyer can submit a request for a speedy trial.

  • Can you have a criminal conviction expunged or sealed in Tampa, FL?

    No, Tampa does not allow the sealing or expungement of convictions. Records of arrests and charges that resulted in a conviction are also not eligible. However, a record of arrest or charge may be sealed/expunged under one of the following conditions:

    • Charge was dropped or dismissed
    • Defendant was found not guilty
    • Judge ordered a Withhold of Adjudication Note, however, that arrest records for most violent and sex crimes will never be sealed/expunged, even if the defendant is found not guilty.