Tampa Criminal Defense Lawyer

A Tampa criminal defense lawyer protects the rights of people facing arrest, criminal charges, and investigations in Hillsborough County, where a conviction can result in jail time, fines, probation, license consequences, and a permanent record.

Lopez Law Group represents people facing misdemeanor and felony charges throughout Tampa, Hillsborough County, and the surrounding area. Our criminal defense attorneys handle DUI defense, drug offenses, domestic violence charges, theft crimes, violent offenses, probation violations, juvenile cases, and post-conviction matters, including expungement and record sealing.

Call Lopez Law Group at (727) 933-0015 for a free criminal defense consultation.

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Table of Contents

• Why Hire a Tampa Criminal Defense Lawyer at Lopez Law Group?
• What Happens After an Arrest in Tampa or Hillsborough County?
• Tampa DUI Defense Lawyers
• Drug Crime Defense Lawyers in Tampa
• Tampa Domestic Violence Defense Attorneys
• Tampa Theft and Property Crime Defense Lawyers
• Violent Crime Defense Attorneys in Tampa
• Misdemeanor vs. Felony Charges in Tampa Criminal Cases
• What to Do If a Family Member Has Been Arrested in Tampa
• Expungement and Record Sealing in Tampa
• FAQs for Tampa Criminal Defense Attorneys
• Talk to a Tampa Criminal Defense Attorney Now

Why Hire a Tampa Criminal Defense Lawyer at Lopez Law Group?

The Hillsborough County criminal system moves quickly, and the State Attorney’s Office does not pause because someone is still trying to understand the charges, the bond conditions, or the next court date. Court dates are set, discovery is exchanged, and plea offers are made on a timeline that may favor the prosecution.

A defendant without legal representation is navigating that system alone, often without understanding the charges, the potential penalties, or the defense options available.

Lopez Law Group’s Tampa criminal defense attorneys respond to that urgency:

• We accept calls and begin case evaluation immediately, including after hours and on weekends, because arrests do not wait for business hours
• We appear at first appearances and bond hearings in Hillsborough County to argue for release conditions that allow the client to return to work and family
• We investigate the facts, review police reports and body camera footage, and identify constitutional issues that may affect the admissibility of evidence
• We negotiate with prosecutors from a position of preparation, not desperation, pursuing reduced charges, diversion programs, or dismissal when the facts support it
• We take cases to trial when the prosecution’s offer does not serve the client’s interests

Familiarity with the Hillsborough County courthouse, the local State Attorney’s Office, and how cases move through the system affects strategy at every stage. Our attorneys practice in these courtrooms regularly and understand the procedural landscape that shapes how criminal cases are resolved in Tampa.

What Happens After an Arrest in Tampa or Hillsborough County?

An arrest in Tampa triggers a sequence of events that moves quickly. Understanding what happens at each stage helps defendants and their families make better decisions about legal representation.

Booking, First Appearance, and Bond in Hillsborough County

After an arrest, the defendant is booked at the Hillsborough County jail and typically appears before a judge within 24 hours for a first appearance hearing. At that hearing, the judge determines whether probable cause exists for the arrest, sets bond conditions, and may impose restrictions such as no-contact orders or travel limitations.

Having an attorney present at first appearance may affect the bond amount, the conditions of release, and whether the defendant goes home or stays in custody while the case proceeds.

Arraignment, Discovery, and Pretrial Defense Strategy

At arraignment, the defendant enters a formal plea. The pretrial phase that follows involves discovery, motion practice, depositions, and negotiation. This is where the defense builds its case, challenges the prosecution’s evidence, and evaluates whether suppression motions, dismissal arguments, or trial preparation best serve the client.

Trial, Plea Negotiations, and Sentencing

Many criminal cases in Hillsborough County are resolved through negotiation rather than trial. Plea negotiations may result in reduced charges, lesser penalties, or alternative sentencing options such as diversion programs, probation, or community service in place of jail time. The strength of the defense’s position, the quality of the evidence, and the specific circumstances of the case all influence what the prosecution is willing to offer.

Not every plea offer serves the defendant’s interests. An attorney evaluates whether the offer is reasonable given the strength of the state’s case, the potential penalties at trial, the long-term consequences of a conviction, and whether the defendant would like to proceed to trial.

If the case proceeds to trial, the prosecution must prove every element of the charge beyond a reasonable doubt. The defense challenges the state’s evidence, cross-examines witnesses, and presents its own case when the facts warrant it.

If the case results in a conviction, sentencing follows under Florida’s statutory guidelines, and the defense advocates for a favorable outcome permitted by law.

Tampa DUI Defense Lawyers

DUI charges in Florida carry penalties under Florida Statutes § 316.193 that escalate with each offense and increase significantly when aggravating factors are present. A first DUI conviction may result in fines, license suspension, probation, community service, and potential jail time. Subsequent offenses, DUI with property damage or injury, and DUI with a blood alcohol level of .15 or higher all carry enhanced penalties.

How DUI Cases Are Challenged

DUI defense focuses on every step of the encounter between the defendant and law enforcement. Common defense strategies include:

• Challenging the legality of the traffic stop itself, since an officer must have reasonable suspicion of a traffic violation or criminal activity to initiate the stop
• Questioning the administration and reliability of field sobriety exercises, which are subjective and affected by medical conditions, road conditions, and officer training
• Challenging the accuracy and maintenance records of breathalyzer equipment
• Examining whether the officer followed proper procedures for blood or urine testing
• Evaluating whether the defendant’s constitutional rights were respected throughout the encounter

A DUI charge does not automatically result in a conviction. The prosecution must prove the case, and the evidence behind a DUI arrest frequently contains weaknesses that a defense attorney identifies and challenges.

Drug Crime Defense Lawyers in Tampa

Drug offenses in Florida range from misdemeanor possession to felony trafficking charges under Chapter 893 of the Florida Statutes, which classifies controlled substances into schedules and establishes the penalties associated with each offense.

The type and quantity of the substance, the location of the offense, and whether the prosecution alleges intent to sell or distribute all affect the severity of the charges and the available defense strategies. Drug charges our attorneys handle include:

• Possession of controlled substances
• Possession of drug paraphernalia
• Possession with intent to sell or distribute
• Drug trafficking
• Prescription drug offenses

The Fourth Amendment protects individuals from unreasonable searches and seizures. Evidence obtained through an illegal search may be suppressed, which may result in reduced charges or dismissal. An attorney evaluates the circumstances of the search and determines whether a motion to suppress is warranted.

Tampa Domestic Violence Defense Attorneys

A domestic violence allegation in Florida triggers consequences that begin before a conviction ever occurs. The defendant is typically arrested, a no-contact order is imposed, and the accused may be removed from the home. These immediate consequences affect housing, employment, child custody, and daily life while the case is pending.

Florida Statutes § 741.28 defines domestic violence broadly, covering assault, battery, stalking, kidnapping, and other offenses committed against a household or family member. Defending against these charges requires careful investigation of the circumstances, witness statements, and any physical evidence. False allegations, mutual aggression, and self-defense are all recognized defenses that may apply depending on the facts.

Tampa Theft and Property Crime Defense Lawyers

Theft charges in Florida are classified under Florida Statutes § 812.014 based on the value of the property involved. Petit theft involves property valued under $750 and is generally charged as a misdemeanor. Grand theft involves property valued at $750 or more and is charged as a felony, with penalties increasing at higher value thresholds.

Related property crimes include burglary, robbery, shoplifting, fraud, and dealing in stolen property. Each carries its own elements, potential penalties, and defense strategies.

A Lopez Law Group criminal defense attorney in Tampa evaluates the evidence, challenges the prosecution’s valuation and identification of the defendant, and pursues the strongest available defense.

Violent Crime Defense Attorneys in Tampa

Violent crime charges including assault, aggravated assault, battery, aggravated battery, and weapons offenses carry serious penalties in Florida, including mandatory minimum sentences for certain offenses. These cases often involve conflicting accounts from witnesses, disputed facts about who initiated the confrontation, and questions about self-defense.

Florida’s Stand Your Ground law under Florida Statutes § 776.012 provides an affirmative defense when the defendant reasonably believed that force was necessary to prevent imminent death or great bodily harm.

Whether Stand Your Ground applies depends on the specific facts, and raising the defense usually involves a pretrial hearing where the defense must first make a prima facie self-defense immunity claim, after which the state must overcome that claim by clear and convincing evidence.

Misdemeanor vs. Felony Charges in Tampa Criminal Cases

Florida classifies criminal offenses into misdemeanors and felonies, and the distinction determines the potential penalties, the court that handles the case, and the long-term consequences of a conviction.

A misdemeanor is punishable by up to one year in county jail. A felony is punishable by more than one year in state prison. Within each category, Florida assigns degrees that carry progressively more severe maximum penalties:

These are statutory maximums under Florida Statutes § 775.082 and § 775.083. Actual sentencing depends on the offense, the defendant’s prior record, Florida’s Criminal Punishment Code, and whether mandatory minimums apply.

Some offenses also carry collateral consequences beyond the criminal sentence, including loss of voting rights, professional license restrictions, immigration consequences, and sex offender registration requirements.

What to Do If a Family Member Has Been Arrested in Tampa

If a family member has been arrested, gathering key information before calling an attorney makes the first conversation more productive and allows the attorney to begin working on the case immediately.

Information to have ready when you call us includes:

• The arrested person’s full legal name and date of birth
• The jail or detention facility where they are being held
• The booking number, if available
• The charges listed on the arrest report or booking sheet
• Current bond status, including whether bond has been set and the amount
• The next scheduled court date, if one has been communicated

Bond information and booking details for Hillsborough County arrests are available through the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office inmate search. Having this information ready when you contact Lopez Law Group allows our attorneys to evaluate the situation, advise on bond options, and begin preparing for the first court appearance without delay.

Call (727) 933-0015 for a free criminal defense consultation.

Expungement and Record Sealing in Tampa

A criminal record affects employment, housing, professional licensing, and future opportunities long after the case is resolved. Florida law allows certain records to be sealed or expunged, but eligibility depends on the charge, the disposition of the case, and the defendant’s criminal history.

Sealing restricts public access to the record but does not destroy it. Expungement physically destroys the record, with limited exceptions for law enforcement and certain government agencies.

Not every case qualifies, and the application process requires a certificate of eligibility from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement before the court petition may be filed. An attorney evaluates eligibility and handles the process from application through the court hearing.

FAQs for Tampa Criminal Defense Attorneys

Should I Talk to the Police Before Hiring a Lawyer?

No. You have the right to remain silent and the right to an attorney under the Fifth and Sixth Amendments. Anything you say to law enforcement may be used against you. Politely decline to answer questions and contact a criminal defense attorney before making any statements.

Can a Lawyer Help Before Charges Are Formally Filed?

Yes. Pre-charge intervention may affect whether charges are filed at all, what charges the prosecution pursues, and whether the case is diverted out of the criminal justice system. An attorney who is involved early may present mitigating information to the prosecutor, preserve favorable evidence, and protect the client’s rights during the investigation.

Can I Get My Case Dismissed If the Police Searched Me Illegally?

Evidence obtained through an illegal search may be suppressed under the Fourth Amendment, meaning the prosecution cannot use it at trial. If the suppressed evidence is central to the state’s case, the result may be reduced charges or dismissal. An attorney evaluates the circumstances of the search and determines whether a motion to suppress is warranted.

What Is the Difference Between a Misdemeanor and a Felony in Florida?

A misdemeanor is punishable by up to one year in county jail. A felony is punishable by more than one year in state prison. Florida classifies offenses into degrees within each category, with penalties increasing based on the severity of the charge and the defendant’s prior record.

How Much Does a Tampa Criminal Defense Lawyer Cost?

Fees depend on the complexity of the case, the severity of the charges, and whether the matter is resolved through negotiation or proceeds to trial. Lopez Law Group offers free criminal defense consultations so that potential clients may discuss their situation and understand the fee structure before making a commitment.

Talk to a Tampa Criminal Defense Attorney Now

The time between an arrest and the resolution of a criminal case is when the most important decisions are made. Who represents you, how the evidence is challenged, and whether constitutional violations are identified all shape the outcome. Waiting to act gives the prosecution more time to build its case and narrows the defense options available.

Lopez Law Group’s criminal defense attorneys serve individuals facing charges throughout Tampa and Hillsborough County. Free consultations are available. Call (727) 933-0015 to discuss your case and next steps.

CALL FOR A CASE EVALUATION