Criminal Defense Lawyers in Hillsborough County
If you have been arrested for a misdemeanor or felony criminal offense in Hillsborough County, Florida, contact an experienced and aggressive criminal defense attorney with offices in downtown Tampa. At Sammis Law Firm, our six attorneys focus exclusively on criminal defense. The majority of our cases are in Hillsborough County, Florida, at the courthouses in Tampa and Plant City, FL.
We understand the benefits of litigating all viable motions to suppress and motions to dismiss, which often leads to the most favorable negotiations to resolve the case. Litigating those motions also sets the groundwork for the best outcomes at trial.
Contact us to find out what you might need to do right now to protect yourself against criminal prosecution. Call the Sammis Law Firm for a free initial consultation to discuss your misdemeanor or felony charge with an experienced criminal attorney. The free consultation can be conducted in the office or over the phone.
Call 813-250-0500 today.
Local Attorneys Devoted to Criminal Defense
Criminal cases in Hillsborough County are handled differently from other jurisdictions in Florida. Being familiar with the prosecutors, the judges, and the procedures in your particular courtroom can make all the difference in obtaining the best possible result in your criminal case.
- Read more about Violation of Probation cases in Hillsborough County, Florida.
- Read more about DUI cases in Hillsborough County, Florida, including breath test cases, refusal cases, and felony DUI cases.
- Read more about Drug crimes in Hillsborough County, Florida, including possession of marijuana, manufacture or cultivation of cannabis, possession of a controlled substance or drug trafficking.
- Read more about Domestic Violence cases in Hillsborough County, Florida, including domestic battery, domestic assault, and stalking charges.
- Read more about ways to resolve an outstanding Warrant for Arrest in Hillsborough County, FL.
Overview of Criminal Charges in Hillsborough County
- Track Your Hillsborough County Criminal or Traffic Court Cases
- How Many Courtrooms are in the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit?
- County Court Judges in Hillsborough County, FL
- Diversion Programs in Hillsborough County, FL
- Statistics on Hillsborough County, FL
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Additional Resources
Track Your Hillsborough County Criminal or Traffic Court Cases
Details of any traffic, misdemeanor, or felony case in Hillsborough County, Florida, can be viewed on the website for the clerk of court for the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit. If the individual was arrested on a criminal charge, then information about the arrest can be found on the website for the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office.
Visit the links below for information on pending court dates and details about the pending charges.
- Hillsborough County Criminal Cases
- Hillsborough County Jail Inquiry
- Hillsborough County Warrant Inquiry
The Sammis Law Firm, P.A., is located in Tampa, Hillsborough County, Florida. We focus exclusively on criminal defense.
Hiring an experienced criminal defense attorney who is familiar with the procedures and practices that are most common in your particular courtroom is the best way to fight the charges to achieve the best results possible.
Contact us for more information about our education, experience, and qualifications in fighting felony and misdemeanor cases in Tampa and Plant City, Hillsborough County, Florida.
Call (813) 250-0500 for more information.
How Many Courtrooms are in the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit?
Did you know that the 13th Judicial Circuit has seventy-one (71) courtrooms located in four different buildings? In downtown Tampa, the 13th Judicial Circuit has:
- thirty-five (35) courtrooms in the Edgecomb Courthouse;
- thirty-one (31) courtrooms in the Annex (located across the street from the Edgecomb Courthouse); and
- one (1) courtroom for traffic court is located across the street at 419 Pierce.
The 13th Judicial Circuit also has four (4) courtrooms at the Plant City Courthouse for civil, traffic, and misdemeanor cases.
County Court Judges in Hillsborough County, FL
If you are charged with a misdemeanor or traffic crime in Tampa, Hillsborough County, your case will be assigned to a particular division and judge based on the first letter of your last name. The judicial assignments can be found in Administrative Order A-2024-075 (Judicial Assignments) except for amendments via Administrative Order A-2025-015 and Administrative Order A-2025-004.
In Hillsborough County, there are 11 criminal divisions of the County Court, including Division “O.” Divisions “A,” “B,” “C,” “D,” “E,” “F,””G,” “O,” and “R” (trial division) are based in Tampa.
- Division “A” – The Honorable Jack Gutman –
- Division “B” – The Honorable Margaret R. Taylor
- Division “C” – The Honorable Miriam V. Valkenburg
- Division “D” – The Honorable Jeffrey M. Rich
- Division “E” – The Honorable Monique M. Scott
- Division “F” – The Honorable Frances M. Perrone for Domestic Violence Cases
- Division “O” – The Honorable Logan Murphy handles all First Appearance Cases in (Preliminary Proceedings or PP Court)
East County Division “X” and “X2” are based in Plant City. Effective January 6, 2025, Jeremy R. Griner is assigned to East County Criminal Division “X.” Effective January 6, 2025, Jeremy R. Griner is assigned to East County Criminal Division “X2.”
At Sammis Law Firm, our criminal defense attorneys are familiar with the local criminal procedures used in the courtrooms in Hillsborough County, many of which can be found in the administrative orders issued by the Chief Judge for the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit.
Diversion Programs in Hillsborough County, FL
To help first offenders avoid some of these harsh penalties for lower-level offenses, the State Attorney’s Offices throughout Florida have created various felony and misdemeanor diversion programs, including:
- adult pre-arrest diversion APAD;
- felony pre-trial intervention PTI;
- domestic violence pre-trial intervention DVPI;
- misdemeanor intervention program MIP; and
- DUI diversion program called RIDR.
Statistics on Hillsborough County, FL
Hillsborough County is composed of the cities of Tampa, Plant City, Temple Terrace, plus forty-seven (47) unincorporated areas. Hillsborough County is the fourth most populated county in Florida and accounts for over 6% of the State’s total population.
Hillsborough County covers over 1,200 square miles, including over 200 miles of coastline. According to the census estimate in 2010, the population was more than 1.2 million people. Hillsborough County’s population reported:
- 75.8% identified as White;
- 25.1% identified as Hispanic or Latino;
- 17.6% identified as Black;
- 3.6% identified as Asian;
- 0.6% identified as other races; and
- 2.3% identified as multiracial.
The 2010 Census figures indicate that:
- 51% of Hillsborough County’s population is female;
- 11.9% of the population is 65 years old or older; and
- 15% live below the poverty level.
Hillsborough County has a diversified economic base. The four largest employers in the public sector in Hillsborough County include:
- Hillsborough County School Board;
- University of South Florida;
- MacDill Air Force Base; and
- Hillsborough County government.
Major private-sector employers in Hillsborough County, FL, include:
- Verizon Communications Corporation (telecommunications);
- Publix Food Centers (supermarkets);
- Tampa Electric Corporation (electric utility);
- Bank of America (banking services);
- JPMorgan Chase (financial services);
- Busch Entertainment Corporation (tourist attraction);
- Amazon (e-commerce); and
- Tribune Company (newspaper publishing).
Frequently Asked Questions
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What should I do immediately after being arrested in Hillsborough County?
You should contact a criminal defense attorney before speaking to law enforcement or attending any court hearings. Early legal guidance can protect your rights, preserve evidence, and prevent costly mistakes. A free consultation can help you understand what to expect and what steps to take right away.
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Where are criminal cases heard in Hillsborough County?
Criminal cases are handled in 71 courtrooms across four buildings, mostly at the Edgecomb Courthouse and its Annex in downtown Tampa. Plant City also has dedicated courtrooms for misdemeanor, traffic, and civil matters. Your assigned courtroom depends on the charge type and the first letter of your last name.
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Which judges handle misdemeanor cases in Hillsborough County?
Hillsborough County has 11 county criminal divisions, each overseen by a specific judge based on alphabetical assignment. Domestic violence cases, first appearances, and East County cases have their own divisions and judges as well. Knowing the assigned division helps tailor strategy to that judge’s procedures and preferences.
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Can I look up my Hillsborough County criminal or traffic case online?
Yes, the Hillsborough County Clerk of Court website allows you to search charges, court dates, and case documents. The Sheriff’s Office website also provides jail and warrant inquiries. These tools help you track the status of your case and ensure you never miss a required appearance.
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How do diversion programs work in Hillsborough County?
Diversion programs like PTI, APAD, MIP, DVPI, and the RIDR DUI program allow eligible defendants to complete conditions in exchange for avoiding a conviction or having charges dismissed. These programs are designed for first-time or low-level offenders. An attorney can help determine your eligibility and negotiate your enrollment.
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Does our firm handle cases in Plant City as well as Tampa?
Yes. We appear regularly in both the Tampa courthouse and the Plant City courthouse and are familiar with the procedures and judges in each. Many criminal cases, especially misdemeanors and traffic charges, are heard in Plant City.
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Are our attorneys involved in local criminal defense organizations?
Yes. All Sammis Law Firm attorneys are lifetime members of the Hillsborough County Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (HCACDL). Membership provides continuing education, resources, and collaboration with other experienced defense attorneys.
Additional Resources
HCACDL (Hillsborough County Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers) – The attorneys at the Sammis Law Firm are all lifetime members of the HCACDL (Hillsborough County Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers). This organization was founded in 1979 to support criminal defense lawyers practicing in the criminal courtrooms in Tampa and Plant City. Attorneys in the organization practice in both state and federal courts. Membership benefits include a more united voice on issues of common concern, access to the discussion forums, and quality CLE seminars.
This article was last updated on Monday, May 5, 2025.
