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2025

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Best Criminal Defense Lawyers in Tampa, FL

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 lawyers 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

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.

  • Fraud
  • Weapon Crimes
  • Traffic Offenses
  • Restitution Modification
  • Resisting Arrest without Violence
  • Probation Violation
  • Lewd or Lascivious Molestation
  • Juvenile Crimes
  • Indecent Exposure
  • Disorderly Conduct

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Derrick Smith - Senior AttorneyActive31 yrs
John Musca - PartnerActive26 yrs
Jonathan Dingus - Senior AttorneyActive36 yrs

677 North Washington Boulevard, Sarasota, FL 34236
WebsiteLicense: 463345

Expertise.com Rating

Why choose this provider?

Darryl Mitchell is a renowned criminal defense attorney who provides exceptional legal representation to clients in Tampa and the rest of Florida. Whether it’s a first-time offense or a complex legal battle, Mitchell is committed to providing personalized legal guidance and support. He and his team frequently take on cases involving drug offenses, DUI charges, and manslaughter. With a strong background in every aspect of criminal defense, he adeptly navigates chain of custody challenges and rigorously assesses witness credibility, recognizing that a solid defense is crucial for success. His meticulous preparation and unwavering dedication ensure that clients receive the strongest possible representation.

  • Drug Crimes
  • Auto Accident Claims
  • Tax Services
  • Family Law
  • Immigration
  • Real Estate
  • Criminal Defense
  • DWI/DUI

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Darryl Mitchell - OwnerActive24 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.

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 - PrincipalActive47 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 - PrincipalActive16 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
Victoria Hatfield - PartnerActive15 yrs
Rachael Reese - PartnerActive11 yrs
Mark O'brien - PartnerActive27 yrs

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

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
5.0 (26)
Avvo
5.0 (3)
FindLaw
1.0 (1)

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.

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 - PrincipalActive21 yrs

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
Rebecca Bratter - Deputy Managing Partner Fort Lauderdale, FLActive22 yrs
Brian Cummings - Partner Tampa, FLActive19 yrs
Mark Rabinowitz - Partner, Practice Group Leader, Marital & Family Law GroupActive50 yrs
Dariel Abrahamy - Partner Boca Raton, FLActive20 yrs
Skip Miller - Partner West Palm Beach, FLActive46 yrs
Gerald Greenspoon - Co-Managing Director / Co-FounderActive46 yrs
David Kubiliun - Partner Miami, FLActive25 yrs
Heidi Boyles - PartnerActive21 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 - PrincipalActive35 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 AttorneyActive18 yrs
Ajay Pallegar - Managing AttorneyActive18 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 - PrincipalActive19 yrs

1011 W. Cleveland Street, Tampa, FL 33606

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

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

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.

210 N Pierce St, Tampa, FL 33602

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.

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.