Hillsborough County Criminal Lawyers

I am an attorney and a former C.P.A. born and raised in Florida. I have been fortunate enough to practice law in Lutz since 1983. My philosophy is to explain things in a language clients can understand, and I am committed to helping clients achieve their legal goals. Please call today for a phone consultation. (813) 949-2749

Nicole has resided in the Tampa Bay area for the last 20 years. She majored in criminology while attending Saint Leo University and interned with the United States Secret Service.

Upon graduation, Nicole attended Stetson University College of Law in Pinellas County, where she concentrated on trial advocacy. While attending school, she interned with the State Attorney’s Office for Pinellas County.

After law school, Nicole became the Assistant State Attorney for the Sixth Judicial Circuit for Pinellas County. During the three years, she was employed at the State Attorney’s Office, she prosecuted misdemeanors to serious crimes.

Nicole served as a...

Attorney Hillary Johnson is a former prosecutor who brings experience and exceptional legal knowledge to each case she tries. She holds a degree in communication from Florida State University and Juris Doctor from the Jones School of Law at Faulkner University in Montgomery, Alabama. While she was in law school, Ms. Johnson completed an internship with the State Attorney’s Office in Panama City. After graduation, she worked as an attorney with Florida’s Department of Children and Families before accepting a position at the State Attorney’s Office in Manatee County and Sarasota. It was while she was at the...

Amy Ruiz received her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in Marketing and International Economics from the University of Florida in 2000. She received her Juris Doctorate from the Florida State College of Law in 2004. While at Florida State, Ms. Ruiz was a member of the Journal of Transnational Law & Policy. She also participated in the Institute on World Legal Problems where she studied Comparative Constitutional Law at the University of Innsbruck, in Austria, with Associate Justice of the United States Supreme Court Antonin Scalia.

Upon graduating law school, Ms. Ruiz, a Tampa native, returned to Tampa and commenced...

Lee Pearlman was born and raised in Dillsburg, Pennsylvania, a small town just outside of Harrisburg.

He attended college at the University of Maryland, College Park where he received two bachelor of arts degrees and two minors. While in college he enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserve and served two years in the Military Police.

After college Lee moved to St. Petersburg where he attended Stetson University College of Law. While there Lee was a member of Stetson's top nationally-ranked Trial Team and Alternative Dispute Resolution Board. He was the recipient of the Ralph Harris Ferrel...

Michael C. Minardi is the Senior Partner at Minardi Law. For over 16 years, Michael has dedicated his practice to fighting for clients charged with cannabis crimes and advocating for cannabis law reform. His passion has driven him to learning and understanding medical cannabis laws in the State of Florida and throughout the country.

Michael’s practice represents clients in corporate cannabis consulting, application preparation, lobbying, forfeiture matters, and criminal matters. He has won many medical cannabis cases, including several landmark high-profile cases in Florida. He won the first and second jury trials in Florida presenting the medical necessity...

Jeff Thomas is a Tampa criminal defense lawyer at Thomas & Paulk, P.A. He is a Florida native and graduate of Stetson College of Law. Throughout his career, he has handled more than 3,500 criminal cases. He is experienced with non-jury cases, jury trials, and traffic cases.

I have been practicing law since 1992 when I began as a Assistant State Attorney in the Tampabay area, In 1996 I entered private practice in an effort to share my experience with clients seeking legal help. My background includes 10 years of law enforcement experience as a patrolmen, K-9 officer and organized crime detective. I was trained by the DEA in narcotics investigations and worked on local and Federal task force. My experience includes investigating fatal traffic crashes, K-9 handler, covert investigations, state prosecution and extensive criminal defense including traffic and serious felony trials. I have represented injured families...

I have dedicated my entire legal career to fighting for individuals in court. I am known as a fighter and trial attorney that will stand up for his clients.

If you have been injured or arrested call now to insure your rights are protected. 863-838-5549

http://www.FLCrimeDefense.com

We are a law firm based in the heart of Tampa with expertise in Family Law, Discrimination and Business Litigation. Our lawyers have collective experience of over 35 years handling cases just like yours. We are a boutique law firm focused on your rights and making sure that those rights are taken care of.

Our attorneys are able to provide the skills and expertise that may be found at larger firms without the overhead expenses many of these larger law firms typically pass on to its clients. We are passionate about helping to build our community and its businesses and work...

Omar Abdelghany is a criminal defense attorney practicing in Tampa Bay, Florida and the surrounding area. He graduated cum laude from California Western School of Law in San Diego, California. He is licensed with the Florida Bar and is also licensed in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida and the United States District Court for the Northern District of Florida. Omar's experience includes having completed a judicial externship with Justice Terry O'Rourke at the California Fourth District Court of Appeals and his having worked as a trial attorney at the Palm Beach Public Defender's Office....

Tampa Criminal Defense Attorney, Ben Stechschulte, is a board-certified expert in criminal trial law. He has been practicing in the Tampa Bay area for nearly 15 years and has tried over 60 cases to verdict.  His experience is both varied and comprehensive, which makes him uniquely qualified to aggressively and effectively defend his clients who are facing criminal charges or have been injured in an accident. Ben attended Stetson University College of Law, which is recognized as one of the top law schools in the country for trial advocacy.  After graduating in 2005, Ben served as a prosecutor in Hillsborough County.  Ben...

Tracee L. Ivins graduated from Florida State University with a Bachelor's Degree in Sociology. After graduation she worked for the State of Florida as a certified investigator, before deciding to pursue a law degree. As an attorney Ms. Ivins has handled files from inception all the way to a jury verdict. Her experience has included claims involving serious bodily injury, product liability injury and wrongful death arising from auto accidents, slip and falls, dog bites, negligent security, motorcycle and tractor trailer accidents.

Lawsuits including Negligence, Breach of Contract, Negligent Entrustment, Uninsured Motorist Insurance Claims, Under-Insured Motorists Insurance disputes, Wrongful Death, Bad...

Born and raised in Tampa, Drew attended Tampa Preparatory High School and then graduated from New College of Florida, The State’s Honors College, in Sarasota. During Law School at the University of Florida, Drew interned as a student law clerk for both State and Federal Judges in Tampa and worked as a certified legal intern at the Hillsborough County State Attorney’s Office.

At the State, Drew was able to conduct voir dire (jury selection) and prosecute criminal jury trials before he graduated from law school. It was during this later experience that he came to understand the invaluable...

Attorney Jackson Hilliard has lived in St. Petersburg and the Tampa Bay area for the past ten years. Mr. Hilliard received his Bachelor’s degree in 1988 from the University of Central Florida. He earned his law degree in 2006 from Stetson College of Law. He is a member of multiple associations, including the Florida Bar, Clearwater Bar, St. Petersburg Bar, the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, and the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyer. Mr. Hilliard is the leading attorney at his Clearwater law firm, Hilliard Law, P.L. At the firm, he provides Florida residents with criminal and DUI...

I have been dedicated to the practice of Criminal Law for over 30 years, with more than 100 jury trials to my credit. I have extensive experience in representing individuals charged or under investigation for State and Federal criminal charges as well as appeals. I am also admitted to practice in the State of Massachusetts in both the State and Federal Courts as well as the 11th and 1st Circuit Court of Appeals and the Supreme Court of the United States. I am a Certified Circuit Court and Federal Court Mediator. My practice areas include the Middle District...

Daniel J. Fernandez defends individuals charged with misdemeanor and felony criminal offenses throughout the Tampa Bay area and the State of Florida. With more than 30 years experience as a criminal defense attorney and hundreds of jury trials, Daniel earned tremendous accolades from judges, other lawyers, defendants and even jurors. Daniel started his legal career as a state prosecutor and became the chief of the Narcotics division before opening his own law practice in 1985. Daniel and members of his staff are fluent in Spanish and are available to answer questions you may have regarding a recent injury or...

Attorney Nadine Diaz is an instrumental driving force behind Darrigo, Diaz & Jimenez's continued success and ability to protect the rights and futures of the clients we represent. Backed by 30 years of experience and as a Board Certified Civil Trial Law Specialist by The Florida Bar, she brings a wealth of professional experience to her firm.

Now, she focuses her legal practice on personal injury law and criminal defense law.

Her proven trial skills make her a bold advocate for injured victims and families that need a voice in our civil justice system, and enable her to secure full and fair...

Caryna Fuller is your local legal advocate with a deep connection to the Tampa community that will fight for your rights. An experienced trial attorney with over 7 years as a seasoned prosecutor and the past 3 years specializing in personal injury claims. Fluent in Spanish, Caryna brings a diverse skill set, ensuring effective communication and representation.

American Dream Attorneys PLLC Immigration Lawyer Immigration Law Firm American Dream Attorneys is an immigration law firm that commenced operations in 2013 in Miami, Florida. Our lawyers are admitted to practice law in at least one state within the United States, and have experience handling cases and protecting both Federal and State rights. Whereas, U.S. immigration laws are applied in federal proceedings, the immigration lawyers at American Dream Attorneys are able to provide legal services to immigration clients located anywhere within the United States. American Dream Attorneys can also assist clients with immigration matters located outside of the U.S. Our...

The experienced Tampa criminal defense attorney at The Law Office of Timothy Hessinger is dedicated to protecting the rights and freedoms of the criminally accused. Attorney Timothy Hessinger was a former 15 year state prosecutor, and he was named as Prosecutor of the Year in 2004. Due to this past experience, our team is able to bring a well-rounded view of the criminal justice system to the table no matter what crimes our clients' cases involve. If you’ve been arrested, don’t hesitate a moment to contact our firm. We offer a free online case evaluation – take advantage today!

Brett is a Tampa native who graduated in 2009 from FSU College of Law – the top ranked law school in Florida. After passing the Bar, he immediately began working as a prosecutor at the State Attorney’s Office in Tampa. Brett prosecuted over 5,000 cases, including DUI’s, domestic violence, drug possession, drug trafficking, gun charges, and RICO cases. Most importantly, Brett tried over 100 cases to verdict during his time as a prosecutor. Armed with litigation experience, knowledge of the criminal system, and ambition, Brett opened his private practice in July of 2012. At Brett Metcalf, Criminal...

Matt Mueller is a former federal prosecutor with the U.S. Department of Justice in Washington, D.C. and Tampa and an experienced trial lawyer. He focuses his practice on white collar defense, including civil and criminal tax, securities, and health care matters, regulatory enforcement actions, grand jury investigations, and civil litigation. Matt represents a diverse array of clients in these sensitive and high stakes matters including doctors, accountants and accounting firms, health care and dental professionals, firms and individuals in the financial services and securities industries, as well as small business owners and entrepreneurs.

David Haenel protects the rights of the accused. His firm,The Law Place, has offices in Sarasota, Tampa, Orlando, and Clearwater but they represent people throughout the State of Florida. David is the former 2004 State of Florida DUI Prosecutor of the Year and has spent his entire legal career representing individuals charged with traffic and criminal traffic violations. David and his team of lawyers are relentless in their legal representation and are not satisfied until they have exhausted all possible defenses.

As a felony prosecutor for over a decade, Mr. Elsea saw how criminal cases are built from investigation through trial and sentencing on thousands of cases. Joel gained a greater understanding that people who are facing serious consequences against powerful forces in the courtroom need an experienced and effective voice.

I have lived in Tampa since 1968 and practiced law in the Tampa Bay area since 1996. I have conducted over 100 trials and handled thousands of cases. I have the experience to help you with your situation. Call me for your free initial consultation.

Stephen Higgins is a lawyer who advocates for his clients and works tirelessly on their behalf. For almost 20 years, he has devoted his practice to represent people charged with traffic and criminal traffic violations, as well as personal injury cases. As a member of The Law Place, Stephen and the team of lawyers work to achieve the best possible result for every client.

I am a licensed attorney admitted to practice in all immigration courts in the U.S. and state and federal courts in Florida and Puerto Rico. I have been licensed for 7 years and have more than 15 years of experience in the legal field. I have worked on hundreds of cases in immigration, criminal defense, civil litigation, family law, and estate planning. I am fully bilingual and am passionate about representing immigrants in the U.S. and Puerto Rico, or about defending the rights of my clients. I also support electric cooperatives in Puerto Rico to help transform Puerto Rico's energy...

Mr. David A. Faulkner received his undergraduate degree in criminal justice/criminology from Florida State University. He later attended law school at FSU and received his Juris Doctorate with honors. Mr. Faulkner has practiced law for over 21 years. He focuses in the areas of criminal law and family law. In addition to practicing law, Mr. Faulkner is also a Florida Class C Licensed Private Investigator as well as a Florida Supreme Court Certified Family Law Mediator.

Ms. George began her career as a defense attorney, defending claims made against the largest automobile insurance carrier in Florida and its insureds. Although she gained invaluable experience and knowledge in that position, she quickly realized that she would be better suited fighting for the rights of those who are injured instead of defending a billion dollar insurance carrier. Armed with the knowledge of how insurance carriers evaluate and defend claims, Ms. George joined a prominent Clearwater personal injury firm as a litigation attorney handling various types of cases including: car accidents (including those involving DUI/punitive damages), slip/trip...

Jenny M. Thomas has devoted the majority of her career to criminal defense and opposing domestic violence injunctions. She has conducted many jury trials in criminal cases through verdict and has more than seven years of experience fighting for individuals charged with a criminal offense. After completing her undergraduate degree at the University of Findlay in Ohio, Jenny graduated from law school at Stetson University College of Law in St. Petersburg, FL, in 2004. Prior to law school, Jenny worked as an adoption assessor and social worker in Ohio with special needs and high risk foster children....

Ashley Rector earned her Juris Doctor with a Certificate of Concentration in Advocacy from Stetson University College of Law in May 2013, after obtaining her Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from the University of Florida in May 2010. Ashley is an Associate at Todd Foster Law Group, where she focuses mainly on federal criminal defense. Ashley is an active member of the Herbert G. Goldburg-Ronald K. Cacciatore Criminal Law American Inn of Court, Hillsborough County Bar Leadership Institute class of 2015-2016, Florida Association of Women Lawyers, and Hillsborough Association of Women Lawyers.

Carlos has lived virtually all his life in Hillsborough County and has attended local schools and the University of South Florida and South Texas College of Law, where he earned his law degree. He has served Florida as an Assistant State Attorney (84-85), Assistant Public Defender (85-87) and subsequently in private practice since 1987 to present. As Special Court Appointed Counsel in Hillsborough, Pinellas, Manatee and Sarasota counties, as well as, in U.S. District Courts for the Middle District of Florida Middle, the U.S. Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeal, and the U.S. Supreme Court, his serve...

Judge Michael J. Scionti is a Circuit Court Judge with the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit in the State of Florida, who has served our community and country for over two decades, upholding the rule of law in and out of the courtroom, on and off the battlefield, and throughout all branches of government.

Judge Scionti is a Tampa native and lifelong resident of Hillsborough County. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice from Florida State University and his Juris Doctor from South Texas College of Law. Judge Scionti has held various positions of public trust as a...