Criminal Defense Attorneys in Tampa, FL

Every year, more than five hundred thousand (500,000) criminal charges are filed in the courts across Florida. Many people accused of a crime have no prior record and never imagined being accused of a crime.

Although law enforcement officers and prosecutors have tremendous resources, some people who commit crimes are never caught. Some accused may be found “not guilty” due to technicalities or other issues. Conversely, innocent people may be wrongfully convicted of a crime they did not commit.

Since the criminal justice system is so complex and unpredictable, you need an experienced criminal defense attorney to protect your rights by taking advantage of established procedures and safeguards. Those procedures and safeguards include the presumption of innocence, the right to a jury trial, and the prosecutor’s burden of proving the accusation beyond all reasonable doubt.

At Sammis Law Firm, our attorneys can guide you through the process as we build the strongest possible defense. By focusing exclusively on criminal defense in the greater Tampa Bay area, we can spot issues and raise defenses others might miss.

Visit our main office in downtown Tampa, FL, just a few blocks from the courthouse. We also have offices in New Port Richey in Pasco County and Clearwater in Pinellas County, FL.

We provide a free consultation to discuss the case over the phone, using Zoom, or during a face-to-face consultation in our office. Same-day consultations are available upon request. During the consultation, we can discuss the facts of the case, the best defenses, and how to protect your legal rights.

Our normal business hours are Monday through Friday between 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. If you need help on the weekend or after business hours, leave a message with our answering service so that we can call you back.

Begin your defense today. Call 813-250-0500.

Innovative Defenses Win Cases

We take a scholarly approach to litigating pre-trial motions. Good things happen when criminal defense attorneys file pre-file motions, including:

motions to suppress evidence illegally obtained;
motions to exclude irrelevant or prejudicial evidence; or
motions to dismiss the charge because of insufficient evidence.

Even if the court doesn’t grant the pre-trial motion, the attorney often gains valuable information during the motion hearing. That information can be used to negotiate a better pre-trial settlement offer before trial or fight the case at trial.

If you were falsely accused, the best result is getting the charges dropped by the prosecutor or dismissed by the trial court. In some cases, a plea can be negotiated before trial for a less serious charge.

Depending on how the case is resolved, you may be eligible to seal or expunge the criminal record history and mug shot so that it disappears from public view.

Extraordinary results require extraordinary efforts at each stage of the case. We work with seasoned private investigators and top experts while maintaining affordable attorney fees and costs.

Representing Professionals Accused of a Crime

The six (6) attorneys at Sammis Law Firm take a full-service approach to criminal defense while addressing the collateral consequences that might occur because of the accusation. As a result, we also represent clients during disciplinary actions or civil asset forfeiture proceedings.

The stakes are even higher for anyone holding a professional license, including:

healthcare professionals (nurses and physicians);
teachers and certified educators;
attorneys and law school students;
members of the military; and
law enforcement officers.

Most employers are permitted to fire an employee after a criminal accusation or arrest, even if they are never convicted of a crime.

For some professionals, their employment contract requires them to report any arrest to their employer. If your job requires a top-level security clearance, you might be placed on administrative leave and subjected to a separate investigation.

Florida Statute 893.11 requires that a person convicted of certain types of drug crimes be subject to the emergency suspension of any professional license issued by the State of Florida that authorizes practicing a trade or profession.

Even high school and college students face additional consequences. The educational institution might take disciplinary action to expel the student or change their placement, even if the incident occurred off-campus.

Finding the Right Attorney in Tampa, FL

Being accused of a crime can be an overwhelming experience. Most people feel lost, confused, and scared. When dealing with criminal accusations, stress is inevitable. A skilled and experienced criminal defense attorney will help you develop the best possible defense.

When the stakes are high, an experienced criminal justice attorney at Sammis Law Firm can help you fight the charges. After an accusation of criminal wrongdoing, we understand that your livelihood, liberty, and good name are on the line.

Whether you are charged with a felony, misdemeanor, DUI, or probation violation, we can help. In state or federal court, we also represent clients if their money or property is seized for a civil asset forfeiture proceeding.

Active in the legal community, the attorneys at Sammis Law Firm are members of the National Association for Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL), Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (FACDL), Hillsborough County Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (HCACDL), and Criminal Law Section of the Florida Bar.

Contact the attorneys at Sammis Law Firm for a free immediate phone or office consultation.

Call 813-250-0500 today.