O’Brien Hatfield, P.A.
Criminal Defense | Serving Tampa, FL
888-915-4202Federal Criminal Defense Law Firm | Serving Tampa & Orlando/Nationwide
Se Habla Español
Free Consultation
Virtual Appointments
Details
WHAT IS O’BRIEN HATFIELD, PA?
O’Brien Hatfield, PA is a federal and state criminal defense law firm with offices in Tampa, Florida (main), Orlando, Florida (satellite), and Miami, Florida (satellite). Attorney Mark J. O’Brien is the firm’s managing partner and handles federal criminal cases throughout Florida and across the country. Attorney Victoria E. Hatfield is an equity partner who defends criminal cases in every county and circuit court in the State of Florida. Oliva M. Goodman is a partner and in charge of the firm’s criminal appellate division. Ivonne A. Antonian is a bilingual (Spanish and English) criminal defense attorney in the firm’s state criminal defense division.
WHO IS FEDERAL CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEY MARK J. O’BRIEN?
Mark J. O’Brien, Esquire is a nationally recognized Federal Criminal Defense Attorney with over 25 years’ experience in criminal courts all throughout the country. After beginning his professional career as a Miami, Florida prosecutor in the late 1990’s, Mr. O’Brien organized his own law firm in 2002 based upon the professional lessons he learned to that point in his life with the goal defending those accused of federal crimes with a mix of old school values and new school ideas.
During first decade in private practice from 2002 to 2012, Mr. O’Brien defended individuals and corporations charged with federal crimes throughout federal criminal courts in Florida. From 2012 to the present, Mr. O’Brien has accepted the defense of clients in federal criminal courts throughout the entire country, in addition to his previously established practice in all federal courts in Florida. Case after case, success after success, in federal court after federal court, all throughout the country, has resulted in a growing legacy. To put it simply, Mr. O’Brien wins and, as a result, he is a lawyer in demand.
Mr. O’Brien grew up in New York, attended law school near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and started his career in Miami, Florida. There is nothing he has not seen, done, or dealt with in and/or out of a criminal courtroom. New York raised, Philly tough, and Miami tested, Mr. O’Brien brings his 25 years of federal criminal court experience to those accused of federal crimes in federal criminal courts throughout the nation. Mr. O’Brien has the resources, both in his team and in his experience and his training, to tackle your federal criminal case and accomplish the only objective that matters: Win.
A FEDERAL CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEY WITH A FEDERAL CRIMINAL DEFENSE TEAM
In addition to his experience and training, Mr. O’Brien has built a full Federal Criminal Defense Team to assist him in defending his clients. Mr. O'Brien believes in hiring the best people to help him do his job. Similar to his role as a former prosecutor, Mr. O’Brien hired people who used to work in various federal law enforcement capacities. It is important to stay one step ahead of the other side. The only true way to accomplish this goal is to have done what the other side is going to do.
As a result, Mr. O'Brien supplements his experience and training with others who have very specific sets of skills. This includes a former Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) Federal Special Agent, a former Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Criminal Investigation Division Federal Special Agent, a former United States Probation Officer, and a former law enforcement detective. Together, these four individuals have over 100 plus (over 25 years each) combined years’ experience in federal and state criminal courts throughout the country.
Once the above individuals are added to his 25 years of prosecutorial and federal criminal defense experience, Mr. O'Brien's team has well over a 125 combined years of federal and state criminal court experience to help you through this precarious time in your life.
FEDERAL CRIMINAL DEFENSE
The United States Constitution guarantees every individual the right to a fair trial and the presumption of innocence until proven guilty. This fundamental principle is upheld in federal criminal defense, where Mr. O’Brien works tirelessly to protect the rights of the accused.
The role of a federal criminal defense attorney is to provide legal representation to individuals charged with federal crimes. These crimes can range from drug trafficking and white-collar crimes to terrorism and espionage. The stakes are high, as a conviction can result in lengthy prison sentences, hefty fines, and a criminal record that can follow an individual for the rest of his or her life.
One of the key arguments in favor of hiring Mr. O’Brien for your federal criminal defense is the importance of protecting the rights of the accused. The Constitution guarantees the right to a fair trial, which includes the right to legal representation. Without a skilled attorney like Mr. O’Brien, a federal defendant may not fully understand their rights or the legal process, which can lead to an unfair trial and an unfair result.
Another argument in favor of hiring Mr. O’Brien is the need to ensure that the government follows due process. The government has vast resources at its disposal, including federal and state law enforcement agencies and prosecutors. A skilled defense attorney like Mr. O’Brien will level the playing field by challenging the government's evidence and ensuring that you are treated fairly.
White collar crime is a term used to describe non-violent crimes committed by individuals in positions of power or trust, typically in the business or financial sectors. These crimes can include fraud, embezzlement, insider trading, and money laundering, among others. When accused of such crimes, individuals often seek the white collar criminal defense services of Mr. O’Brien to represent them in federal criminal court.
Mr. O’Brien’s role is to protect the rights of his clients and ensure they receive a fair trial. This can involve challenging the evidence presented by the prosecution, negotiating plea deals, and presenting a strong defense case. In many cases, wherein trial is not the best option, Mr. O’Brien will work to mitigate the potential consequences of a conviction, such as fines, restitution, and most importantly imprisonment.
One of the key arguments in favor of retaining Mr. O’Brien is that everyone is entitled to a fair trial, regardless of the nature of the crime they are accused of committing. This is a fundamental principle of the American justice system, and it is the responsibility of the defense attorney to ensure that this principle is upheld. Additionally, Mr. O’Brien can help to prevent wrongful convictions by challenging the evidence presented by the prosecution and presenting a strong defense case with his federal criminal defense team.
Federal criminal defense attorney Mark J. O’Brien is a crucial component of the American justice system. He ensures that the rights of the accused are protected, and that the government follows due process. While the stakes are high, a skilled federal criminal defense attorney like Mr. O’Brien can make a significant difference in the outcome of a federal case.
Why play games with your life?
AREAS OF FEDERAL CRIMINAL PRACTICE
Mr. O’Brien handles all federal criminal court areas of practice, including but not limited to:
Federal White Collar Criminal Defense
- Tax Fraud
- Mail Fraud
- Wire Fraud
- Mortgage Fraud
- Securities Fraud
- Medicare Fraud
- Health Care Fraud
- Bribery
- Criminal Law
- IRS Issues
- Embezzlement
- Insider Trading
- Ponzi Schemes
- Money Laundering
- Sarbanes Oxley
- Conspiracy to Commit a Federal White Collar Crime
- All Other Federal White Collar Crimes
Federal Sex Crimes Defense
- Child Pornography Possession Offenses
- Child Pornography Production Offenses
- Child Pornography Transportation Offenses
- Child Pornography Distribution Offenses
- Child Pornography Receipt
- Sex Trafficking Offenses
- Conspiracy to Commit a Federal Sex Crime
- All Other Federal Sex Crime Offenses
Drug Crimes, Gun Crimes, Conspiracy Crimes, and General Federal Criminal Defense
- Gun Offenses
- Drug Offenses and Trafficking
- Crimes of Violence
- Conspiracy to Commit a Federal Crime
- All Other Federal Crimes
Federal Grand Jury Investigations and Pre-File Criminal Investigations
- Target of a Federal Grand Jury Investigation
- Subject of a Federal Grand Jury Investigation
- Witness of a Federal Grand Jury Investigation
- SEC, FBI, HSI, DEA, ATF, CIA, and NSI Investigations
ATTORNEY MARK J. O’BRIEN HAS NATIONWIDE FEDERAL CRIMINAL COURT EXPERIENCE
Mr. O’Brien has been a member of the Bar of the State of Florida and the Bar of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts since 1998. He has been a member of the Bar of the State of Montana since 2023.
In addition, he is a member of the Supreme Court of the United States, the Supreme Court of the State of Florida, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court, the Montana Supreme Court, and he has appeared as a member or a pro hac vice member before the following federal district courts:
- United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit
- United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit
- United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
- United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit
- United States District Court for the Northern District of Alabama
- United States District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas
- United States District Court for the Central District of California
- United States District Court for Connecticut
- United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida
- United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida
- United States District Court for the Northern District of Florida
- United States District Court for the Southern District of Georgia
- United States District Court for the Middle District of Georgia
- United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia
- United States District Court for the Southern District of Illinois
- United States District Court for the Southern District of Indiana
- United States District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky
- United States District Court for Massachusetts
- United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan
- United States District Court for the Southern District of Mississippi
- United States District Court for the Western District of Missouri
- United States District Court for Montana
- United States District Court for the Southern District of New York
- United States District Court for North Dakota
- United States District Court for Northern District of Oklahoma
- United States District Court for Rhode Island
- United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas
- United States District Court for the Western District of Texas
- United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas
- United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia
- United States District Court for the Eastern District of Washington
- United States District Court for the Western District of Washington
- United States District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia
If you are being investigated and/or prosecuted by federal agents and/or federal prosecutors and are need of a Federal Criminal Defense Attorney – and a Federal Criminal Defense Team – anywhere in the United States of America, all Mr. O’Brien needs is a Wi-Fi Password and a plane to defend you.
WHO IS FEDERAL CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEY VICTORIA E. HATFIELD?
Victoria E. Hatfield, Esquire is an equity partner at O’Brien Hatfield, PA, and is a renowned state court criminal defense attorney in the State of Florida. She defends individuals accused of state court crimes in every county court and circuit court in the State of Florida.
Over the course of her nearly fifteen year legal career Ms. Hatfield has accomplished more than many of her colleagues (most of them much older and male by the way) will accomplish in a lifetime of practicing law. From successful motions to suppress and motions to dismiss to trial acquittals to numerous appellate victories to a groundbreaking ruling in her favor by the Florida Supreme Court, she just flat out wins. Find a criminal lawyer in the State of Florida who has won at all of the following levels: The Florida Supreme Court, District Courts of Appeals, and Circuit and County Criminal Courts. Here are a few examples of her successes.
Florida Supreme Court
State v. Dean Shelley, Hillsborough County, 2011-CF-11428, Shelley v. State, 134 So.3d 1138 (Fla. 2d DCA 2014), State v. Shelley, 176 So.3d 914 (Fla. 2015)
Ms. Hatfield filed a motion to dismiss in Mr. Shelley’s case based on double jeopardy grounds. The trial court denied all motions. Undeterred, Ms. Hatfield appealed to the Second District Court of Appeals and won. The State of Florida, also undeterred, appealed her victory to the Florida Supreme Court. After filing her appellate brief and participating in oral arguments at the Florida Supreme Court, the Florida Supreme Court ruled in Ms. Hatfield’s favor and upheld her lower court victory. As a result of her litigation, the offense of “soliciting a minor after using computer services” is a lesser included offense of “traveling to meet a minor after using computer services.” Because of Ms. Hatfield no person in the State of Florida can be convicted of both offenses stemming from the same course of conduct.
District Courts of Appeals
State of Florida v. Max Garcia, Sarasota County, 2016-CF-10182, Garcia v. State, 286 So.3d 348 (Fla. 2d DCA 2019)
After defending himself while being attacked, Max Garcia was charged with Aggravated Battery and faced fifteen years in prison. The trial court denied Ms. Hatfield’s “stand your ground motion”, in which she argued Mr. Garcia was immune from prosecution because he was acting in self-defense. After the denial, the case was set for trial. Ms. Hatfield immediately filed a Writ of Prohibition to the Second District Court of Appeals, the case was paused, and the trial was stopped. Ultimately, the Second District Court of Appeals agreed with Ms. Hatfield and reversed the lower court’s denial of the “stand your ground motion”. Mr. Garcia remains a free man today. And this case is cited by defense attorneys all across the State of Florida to free their clients, Ms. Hatfield did not save one man with this case. She saved thousands.
Trial Victories
State of Florida v. Steven Eargood, Hillsborough County, 11-CF-18990
Steven Eargood was accused of sexually battering a child family member and faced decades in prison and a lifetime sexual offender registration. He denied wrongdoing from the start, but his public defender did not believe him. He hired Ms. Hatfield. Ms. Hatfield brought the case to trial and obtained a complete acquittal (i.e., not guilty verdicts) on all charges in a little over an hour.
Motions to Suppress
Daniel Diner, Hillsborough County, 2016-CF-13503
Daniel Diner was charged with ninety-nine counts of possessing child pornography and faced 1,485 years in the Florida State Prison. Ms. Hatfield filed a motion to suppress arguing an unlawful search and seizure. The trial court agreed and granted her motion. Case dismissed.
Case Dismissals
Eliezer Tejada, Lake County, Case Number 20-CF-1261
Eliezer Tejada was falsely accused of participating in a sophisticated organized fraud operation involving the theft of laptops from UPS delivery trucks. Ms. Hatfield filed a motion to suppress the unlawful out of court identification of Mr. Tejada. Rather than lose the motion, prosecutors dismissed Mr. Tejada’s case.
Victor Williams, Hillsborough County, 23-CF-5807
Victor Williams was charged with trafficking over twenty-five pounds of cannabis. He faced thirty years in Florida State Prison. Ms. Hatfield filed a motion to suppress arguing an unlawful search and seizure, which was granted by the trial court. Rather than lose, prosecutors dismissed Mr. Williams’ case.
State v. Juan Macias, Marion County, 2010-CF-3819
Juan Macias was charged with Trafficking in Methamphetamine and faced thirty years in Florida State Prison with a fifteen year prison minimum mandatory term. Mr. Macias was hired to drive a car from Texas to Florida. Unknown to him, the car had a hidden compartment wherein over 200 grams of methamphetamine was hidden. Mr. Macias was essentially a blind mule and maintained his innocence throughout the duration of the case. Ms. Hatfield convinced prosecutors to dismiss the case just prior to trial.
WHO IS FEDERAL CRIMINAL APPELLATE ATTORNEY OLIVIA M. GOODMAN?
Olivia M. Goodman, Esquire is a partner at O’Brien Hatfield, PA, and is a recognized criminal appellate attorney in the State of Florida. She files state and federal criminal appeals on behalf of individuals convicted of state and federal crimes in the State of Florida and throughout the country.
WHO IS FEDERAL CRIMINAL DEFENSE IVONNE A. ANTONIAN?
Ivonne A. Antonian, Esquire is a bilingual (Spanish and English) criminal defense attorney who defends individuals in county criminal court and circuit criminal court throughout the State of Florida.
ATTORNEY MARK J. O'BRIEN AND HIS CRIMINAL DEFENSE TEAM AT O’BRIEN HATFIELD, PA ONLY REPRESENT INDIVIDUALS AND COMPANIES BEING INVESTIGATED FOR OR ACCUSED OF COMMITTING STATE AND FEDERAL CRIMES.
- THEY DO NOT FILE LAWSUITS.
- THEY DO NOT HANDLE CIVIL CASES.
- THEY DO NOT REPRESENT VICTIMS OF CRIME.
- THEY DO NOT REPRESENT VICTIMS OF FRAUD.
- THEY DO NOT SUE INDIVIDUALS OR COMPANIES.
- THEY DO NOT REPRESENT VICTIMS OF BANK FRAUD.
- THEY DO NOT REPRESENT VICTIMS OF CREDIT CARD FRAUD.
IF YOU BELIEVE YOU ARE A VICTIM OF A CRIME, YOU WANT TO SUE SOMEONE, OR YOU NEED ASSISTANCE IN A CIVIL CASE, PLEASE CALL YOUR LOCAL BAR ASSOCIATION FOR AN ATTORNEY REFERRAL PROGRAM. PLEASE DO NOT CONTACT MR. O'BRIEN. HE REGRETS HE WILL NOT BE ABLE TO ACCEPT YOUR CASE.
ONE OF THE BEST FEDERAL CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEYS IN THE NATION
Many lawyers advertise on their websites the various awards they have “won” proclaiming his or herself to be a ‘Top Lawyer’, a ‘Top 100 Attorney’ or having a ‘10.0 Rating’, and so forth. Please note that any attorney who advertises such “awards” has to pay money to the particular website to be granted such “honors”. Mr. O’Brien refuses to pay for an award or honor. He relies on his experience and training and his team to win time and time again.
However, in case you are interested in unbiased, non-paid for accolades, here are examples of what federal judges across the country are saying about Mr. O’Brien during real cases in open court:
- Federal District Court Judge William Jung:
“You have actually, in my humble opinion, probably hired the best lawyer right now in the State of Florida.” - Federal Magistrate Judge Thomas G. Wilson:
“Mr. O’Brien is a very excellent, skilled, experienced lawyer. If you want to go to trial, he’ll go to trial, and guess what, he’s a very competitive lawyer, he wants to win. I can’t think of anybody who do a better job . . .than Mr. O’Brien. - Federal District Court Judge John Antoon, II:
“And you’ve had outstanding counsel here. You found Mr. O’Brien on your own, which worked to your advantage because not every attorney would have spotted the issues that he spotted and communicated to the Court the way he did. But the likelihood of that ever happening again is miniscule.” - Federal District Court Judge James I. Cohn:
“Your lawyer did a hell of a job for you. There are not a lot of lawyers that handle sentencing issues as well as your lawyer did in this case. So you owe him a debt of gratitude. He saved you a lot of time.” - Federal Magistrate Judge James R. Klindt:
“Mr. O’Brien is not afraid to say what he thinks and believes. He is not going to pull any punches in terms of speaking up and representing his client in a vigorous and zealous way.” - Federal District Court Judge Lisa Godbey Wood:
“Mr. O’Brien, Mr. Jackson, come forward. Mr. Jackson, the jury has found that you are not guilty on both charges which you were indicted on. As a result, I now adjudge you no guilty of the offenses and you will be free to leave from these charges. Your attorney did an excellent job in the case and the jury’s verdict will become the record of The Court.” - Federal District Court Judge William Jung:
“And I’m not an advertising company for Mr. O’Brien’s law firm, but in my humble opinion you got a million dollars’ worth of legal talent in this case.”
TESTIMONIAL FROM A CLIENT FOUND NOT GUILTY AFTER A FEDERAL CRIMINAL TRIAL
United States of America v. Andrew Jackson
2:18-CR-14-LGW-BWC,
Southern District of Georgia,
Brunswick Division
“By the grace of God my family found Mr. Mark J. O’ Brien when I was facing a minimum 10 years to life in federal prison for a 16 person drug conspiracy stretching from Georgia to Florida. My bond hearing was 48 hours after my arrest and Mark arrived at the bond hearing fully prepared in such a short time and I was released from jail. He even visited me at the jail in the 48 hours I spent in custody. He was on it from the start.
I was then indicted one month before my destination wedding in Jamaica. Upon my release from jail, Mark immediately began working on a motion so that I could travel to my destination wedding that was already paid for and that all of our friends and family had already booked their travel to attend. The motion was approved even though no one thought it would be and Mark ordered his private investigator to travel with us to protect us. Mark’s private investigator was wonderful and became a part of the family of course.
Fast forward to coming back home and back to the terrible reality of dying in federal prison because of this federal indictment. Mark’s assistant Jeanette was absolutely wonderful and was available whenever we had questions and wanted to schedule meetings with Mark. It was genuine heartfelt customer service that we received from Jeanette at all times. She understood that this was the hardest time of our lives and was willing to help at any time of day or night. Mark, Jeanette, and his paralegal Chelsea and his entire office were always responsive via phone and email. Mark responded back to emails in well less than 24 hours which is commendable considering he’s such a high profile lawyer.
I met with Mark for trial preparation multiple times, and eventually we made our way out of state to Georgia for the federal criminal jury trial.
We arrived at the courthouse for jury selection and Mark was ever so attentive. It was obvious that Mark had done his homework, had my best interests at heart, and wasn’t intimidated to be going up against the Unites States government.
It was apparent that Mark and my entire family were judged and treated differently in a different state where people had already classed me as guilty. As the trial began, Mark took notes and never missed a beat. Mark’s strategy and execution and style were impeccable. The cross-examination captured every detail and definitely sparked the jury’s interests because it was so captivating. Mark’s closing statement gave my entire family goosebumps. It was like a movie.
Mark debriefed my family each day during lunch break, at the end of every day of trial, and also after the jury was released to deliberate. When I say this is the lawyer that you need, I mean it deeply. And after the jury started deliberating, Mark kept it extremely professional answering our questions while still personally checking up on my family and reassuring us all that everything was going to work out.
In addition to Mark, Mark’s entire law office reached out to my wife during the trial with their support and let us know that they were praying for us. During the most difficult time ever faced in all of my life, it felt comforting to have these folks in my corner. You are not just hiring a lawyer. You are hiring a team who personally and professionally cares about you. After the federal judge read the jury instructions and we were in recess, I sat outside of the courtroom with my head down and knees shaking. I know Mark saw it, but he never made me feel bad or ashamed to be scared. To say that my family and I were petrified about the future being in the hands of 12 complete strangers from a different state is an understatement. Mark sat across from me, looked me in the eye, and told me while he would not lie and tell me he knows what I was feeling, but he said he empathized with me. He even said that he was nervous too and the day he stopped being nervous is the day he stops defending people because that is the day that he knows he does not care anymore. As we continued to wait and it felt like forever, Mark repeatedly walked by and gave me a reassuring pat on my shoulder or a tap on my head. He truly cares.
One funny story: after one of the breaks, one of the US Marshall court officers asked Mark which city he was based in in Florida and was telling him about his son’s needs. Mark was so good that he was already being recruited even before the Not Guilty Verdicts by courtroom security officials!
We were called back in the courtroom twice with jury questions. The questions showed that my jury was closely considering Mark’s arguments and that there was doubt about if the government proved its case.
After one hour and fifteen minutes, the jury came back with NOT GUILTY VERDICTS on all counts! Mark thanked the judge, and even shook hands with the government, and we as a family all walked out of that courtroom together shaking with joy but with our heads held high! After the jury was released even the judge complimented Mark on the wonderful job that he did! The way that Mark conducted himself in the courtroom was undeniably the closest you can ever get to perfection.
Mark is extremely professional and personable with people. The jurors liked him. The court staff liked him. Even the prosecutors and agents seemed to like and respect him because he was always professional when battling them. More importantly, Mark was excited for me and my family and the passion that he has for his job as a trial lawyer is what you really and truly need in a lawyer.
There is absolutely nothing that I can do that would be enough to thank Mark for literally saving my life. As we walked outside of the courthouse, my father in law was so happy that he told Mark, “I have to change your name in my cell phone to JC or Jesus Christ, because you just saved a life, in fact, you just saved the lives of an entire family!”
My family and I are so impressed with Mark’s professionalism, demeanor, and energy from that first scary day we met in a federal courthouse in Orlando, Florida to the amazing last day we hugged him goodbye standing outside a federal courthouse in Brunswick, Georgia. Thank you Mark for giving me back my life and making it possible for me to have a future!!!”
- Andrew Jackson, United States of America v. Andrew Jackson, 2:18-CR-14-LGW-BWC, Southern District of Georgia, Brunswick Division
Office Locations
Since 1997, the "Lead Counsel Verified" status has been granted to attorneys who possess:
- The Right Professional Experience
- A Spotless Record
The following attorneys at this firm are Lead Counsel Verified:
Mark J. O'Brien
This attorney practices in Florida and is Lead Counsel Verified in the following practice areas:
Practice Area | Year |
---|---|
Criminal Defense | Since 2020 |
Federal Criminal Law | Since 2020 |
Criminal Defense | Since 2020 |