Top Saint Petersburg, FL Criminal Defense Lawyers Near You
Top-Rated LOCAL Criminal Defense. 150+ Yrs Combined Experience. A+ BBB, Super Lawyers, Superb 10 AVVO, Top 100 Trial Lawyers.
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Criminal Defense Lawyers | Dade City Office | Serving Dade City, FL
An Advocate Who Will Fight For Your Freedom. Your Peace of Mind Is My Priority! Contact us today!
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Criminal Defense Lawyers | Tampa Office | Serving Saint Petersburg, FL
4401 West Kennedy Blvd, Suite 250, Tampa, FL 33609
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Whittel & Melton, LLC, a reputable Criminal Defense firm representing clients in the Saint Petersburg, Florida area.
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Criminal Defense Lawyers | Brooksville Office | Serving Saint Petersburg, FL
13169 Jacqueline Rd., Brooksville, FL 34613
Select a local Saint Petersburg, Florida firm for diligent Criminal Defense representation.
Criminal Defense Lawyers | Dade City Office | Serving Saint Petersburg, FL
37865 Robinson Ave., Ste. 1, Dade City, FL 33523
Clients who need legal help with Criminal Defense concerns can contact Karatinos Law, PLLC, a reputable law firm in Saint Petersburg, Florida.
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Criminal Defense Lawyers | Tampa Office | Serving Saint Petersburg, FL
100 S. Ashley Drive, Suite 600, Tampa, FL 33602
The Law Firm of Ruiz Dougherty, PLLC has experience helping clients with their Criminal Defense needs in Saint Petersburg, Florida.
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Criminal Defense Lawyers | Tampa Office | Serving Saint Petersburg, FL
1936 W M.L.K. Jr Blvd, Suite 102, Tampa, FL 33607
Hurdle & Hughes Attorneys at Law is experienced handling Criminal Defense cases in the Saint Petersburg area.
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PO Box 13596, St. Petersburg, FL 33733
Connect with a local Saint Petersburg, Florida firm for experienced Criminal Defense legal representation.
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Criminal Defense Lawyers | Tampa Office | Serving Saint Petersburg, FL
511 West Bay Street, Suite 330, Tampa, FL 33606
O'Brien Hatfield Reese, PA, is a law firm in Saint Petersburg, Florida with experience resolving cases in Criminal Defense.
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8601 4th St. N., Suite 104, St. Petersburg, FL 33702
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Tinny Meyer & Piccarreto PA has experience helping clients with their Criminal Defense needs in Saint Petersburg, Florida.
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Criminal Defense Lawyers | Brandon Office | Serving Saint Petersburg, FL
330 Pauls Drive, Suite 100, Brandon, FL 33511
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Pilka Adams & Reed, P.A. represents clients in Criminal Defense cases in the Saint Petersburg, Florida area.
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111 2nd Ave NE, Suite 912, St. Petersburg, FL 33701
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Musca Law has experience helping clients with their Criminal Defense needs in Saint Petersburg, Florida.
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Criminal Defense Lawyers | Tampa Office | Serving Saint Petersburg, FL
601 Bayshore Blvd., Suite 910, Tampa, FL 33606
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Wagner McLaughlin, is a law firm in Saint Petersburg, Florida with experience resolving cases in Criminal Defense.
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Criminal Defense Lawyers | New Port Richey Office | Serving Saint Petersburg, FL
7419 US Highway 19, New Port Richey, FL 34652
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Carter Foreman PLLC helps Saint Petersburg clients with their Criminal Defense needs.
575 Second Avenue South, Suite 201, St. Petersburg, FL 33701
Clients who need legal help with Criminal Defense concerns can contact Dicus & Burke, PLLC, a reputable law firm in Saint Petersburg, Florida.
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Criminal Defense Lawyers | Tampa Office | Serving Saint Petersburg, FL
2917 W Kennedy Blvd Suite 100, Tampa, FL 33609
Criminal Defense Lawyers | Tampa Office | Serving Saint Petersburg, FL
3411 W Fletcher Ave, Suite A, Tampa, FL 33618
Criminal Defense Lawyers | Clearwater Office | Serving Saint Petersburg, FL
250 N Belcher Road, Suite 102, Clearwater, FL 33765
Criminal Defense Lawyers | Tampa Office | Serving Saint Petersburg, FL
1511 N. Westshore Blvd., Suite 400, Tampa, FL 33607
Criminal Defense Lawyers | Tampa Office | Serving Saint Petersburg, FL
401 E. Jackson Street, Suite 1825, Tampa, FL 33602
Criminal Defense Lawyers | Tampa Office | Serving Saint Petersburg, FL
201 E Kennedy Blvd, Suite 1100, Tampa, FL 33602
Criminal Defense Lawyers | Tampa Office | Serving Saint Petersburg, FL
12962 North Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa, FL 33618
Criminal Defense Lawyers | Dade City Office | Serving Saint Petersburg, FL
14217 3rd Street, Dade City, FL 33523
Criminal Defense Lawyers | Tampa Office | Serving Saint Petersburg, FL
401 East Jackson Street, Suite 1410, Tampa, FL 33602
Criminal Defense Lawyers | St. Petersburg Office
9721 Executive Center Dr N, Suite 120, St. Petersburg, FL 33702
Criminal Defense Lawyers | Tampa Office | Serving Saint Petersburg, FL
2504 1/2 W Crest Ave, Tampa, FL 33614
Criminal Defense Lawyers | Brandon Office | Serving Saint Petersburg, FL
1111 Oakfield Drive, Suite 115, Brandon, FL 33511
Saint Petersburg Criminal Defense Information
Lead Counsel independently verifies Criminal Defense attorneys in Saint Petersburg and checks their standing with Florida bar associations.
Our Verification Process and Criteria- Ample Experience Attorneys must meet stringent qualifications and prove they practice in the area of law they’re verified in.
- Good Standing Be in good standing with their bar associations and maintain a clean disciplinary record.
- Annual Review Submit to an annual review to retain their Lead Counsel Verified status.
- Client Commitment Pledge to follow the highest quality client service and ethical standards.
Are You Facing Criminal Charges?
If you are being investigated for or have been accused of a criminal offense, now is the time to seek out the legal help you need. No matter the charge you may be facing, a person should be considered innocent until proven otherwise. Working with a Saint Petersburg criminal law attorney can help to protect your legal rights.
Different Types of Criminal Charges
In the state of Florida, criminal charges are classified in levels of severity ranging from:
- Minor infractions like traffic tickets or speeding violations,
- Misdemeanors, or
- Felony or aggravated felony charges.
Each criminal charge carries its own potential punishment, which can include fines, probation, community service, and serving time in jail. Depending on your circumstances, like any prior criminal history, these penalties can increase in severity. Reading about criminal law and your rights can help you see the importance of a solid defense.
What Do Criminal Defense Lawyers Do?
The goal of a criminal defense lawyer is to help you navigate the criminal justice system and help you obtain the most favorable outcome possible for your particular situation. A criminal defense lawyer will ensure that law enforcement respects your legal rights if they are investigating you or have arrested you. Defense attorneys can help with a number of procedural issues as well, including:
- Reducing your bail
- Challenging your arrest
- Throwing out any incriminating statements you made to the police
- Determining whether any of your rights guaranteed by the United States Constitution have been violated
- Answering any questions you might have regarding your criminal charge
- Working with the prosecutor to obtain a plea deal
Your attorney will also conduct their own investigation to look for the best strategy to defend against your charges, including representing you at trial if necessary.
Should you accept a plea deal?
Police and prosecutors count on making defendants feel like they have no other option but to accept a plea deal, such as threatening to seek harsher punishment if you take your case to trial. You should only accept a plea deal after your attorney has taken a careful look at your case and the evidence for and against you. In some cases, a plea deal may be beneficial than taking your case to trial, but this is not a decision you should make on your own. It should be with someone who knows the law.What makes a good Saint Petersburg criminal defense attorney?
A good criminal defense attorney knows the law here in Saint Petersburg and does not back down when police and prosecutors do not respect your rights or try to pressure you into taking a plea deal that is not in your best interest. You should also look for an attorney who has a long track record of success in cases like yours, including trial victories in the state of Florida.
When should you ask for an attorney?
You should ask for an attorney as soon as you learn that you are under suspicion of committing a crime. If police are investigating you and “just want to ask you a couple of questions,” you should politely refuse and ask for a lawyer’s help. Also, if you are arrested, you should ask to contact a lawyer as soon as possible before answering any other questions. An attorney can speak to police and prosecutors on your behalf and make sure they respect your rights.Should you accept a plea deal?
Police and prosecutors count on making defendants feel like they have no other option but to accept a plea deal, such as threatening to seek harsher punishment if you take your case to trial. You should only accept a plea deal after your attorney has taken a careful look at your case and the evidence for and against you. In some cases, a plea deal may be more beneficial than taking your case to trial, but this is not a decision you should make on your own. It should be with someone who knows the law of Florida in order to ensure you are getting the best outcome possible.
When should you ask for an attorney?
No matter what your legal issue may be, it is always best to seek legal help early in the process. If you learn you are under investigation or a suspect of a criminal investigation, asking for an attorney can be critical. An attorney can help secure what is likely to be the best possible outcome for your situation and avoid both unnecessary complications or errors.
If the police are investigating you and tell you they “just want to ask you a couple of questions,” you have the right to politely refuse and ask for a lawyer’s help. An attorney can speak to police and prosecutors on your behalf and make sure they respect your rights, as well as provide you with legal counsel before you answer any other questions.
Top Questions to Ask When Hiring an Attorney
- How many years have you been practicing law? How long have you practiced law in the local area?
- How many cases similar to mine have you handled in the past?
- What is the likely outcome for my case?
In legal practice, experience matters. An experienced attorney will likely have handled issues similar to yours many, many times. Therefore, after listening to your situation, the attorney should have a reasonable idea of the time line for a case like yours and the likely resolution.
Top Questions to Ask a Lawyer
- What is the usual process to resolve my case? How long will it take to resolve this?
- What are likely outcomes of a case like mine? What should I expect?
An experienced lawyer should be able to communicate a basic “road map” on how to proceed. The lawyer should be able to walk you through the anticipated process, key considerations, and potential pitfalls to avoid. Once you’ve laid out the facts of your situation to the lawyer, he/she should be able to frame expectations and likely scenarios to help you understand your legal issue.
Does firm size matter?
For most consumer legal issues, the size of the practice is much less important than the experience, competence, and reputation of the attorney(s) handling your case. Among the most important factors when choosing an attorney are your comfort level with the attorney or practice and the attorney’s track record in bringing about quick, successful resolutions to cases similar to yours.
Common legal terms explained
Personal jurisdiction – Requirement that a particular court have authority over a person, in order to bind that person to the judgment of the court, based on minimum contacts. International Shoe Co v. Washington is a landmark Supreme Court case outlining the scope of a state court’s reach in personal jurisdiction.