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2026
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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.
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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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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For non-emergencies, the Tampa Police Department can be reached at 813-231-6130.
You can obtain a copy of a police report in three ways:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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:

This article explains illegally obtained evidence, its impact on trials, and what criminal defense attorneys can do to defend...