Criminal Defense in Pinellas County 

Each year, prosecutors with the Office of the State Attorney in Pinellas County, FL, handle more than 130,000 criminal prosecution referrals in misdemeanor cases, felony cases, and juvenile delinquency cases.

In Florida, felony offenses have a possible sentence of more than one year in prison. Most misdemeanors are classified as either a first degree misdemeanor or a second degree misdemeanor. A first degree misdemeanor is punishable by up to one year in jail and a $1,000 fine. A second degree misdemeanor is punishable by up to 60 days in jail and a $500 fine.

Felony and misdemeanor criminal cases are prosecuted at the Pinellas County Justice Center (CJC) Courthouse on 49th Street in Clearwater.

Criminal Defense Attorneys in Pinellas County, FL

If you are being prosecuted for a crime in Pinellas County, contact an experienced criminal defense attorney at Sammis Law Firm, P.A. Our criminal justice attorneys represent clients charged with misdemeanor and felony offenses during each stage of their criminal case, including:

• the first appearance advisory hearing within 24 hours of their arrest;
• emergency bond hearings;
• pre-file investigations;
• arraignment after formal charges are filed;
• pre-trial conferences;
• motion hearings to dismiss the charges or suppress or exclude evidence; and
• the bench or jury trial.

We can help you decide how to fight the accusation or resolve the case before trial. Our attorneys fight cases throughout Pinellas County after an arrest in any of the 24 incorporated municipalities, including St. Petersburg, Gulfport, Pinellas Park, Clearwater, Safety Harbor, Dunedin, Seminole, Tarpon Springs, St. Pete Beach, or Largo, FL.

Contact us for an initial consultation to discuss the criminal charges pending against you, the typical penalties imposed, and the best way to aggressively fight the criminal charges. Visit the Pinellas office of Sammis Law Firm at 14010 Roosevelt Blvd, Suite 701, Clearwater, FL 33762-3820.

Don’t face the judge alone. Contact our experienced criminal defense lawyers in Pinellas County, FL.

Call 727-210-7004. 

Overview of Criminal Charges in Pinellas County

• Types of Criminal Justice Cases in Pinellas County
• Fighting a DUI Case in Pinellas County, FL
• Track Your Felony, Misdemeanor, or Traffic Case in Pinellas County, FL
• Frequently Asked Questions

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Types of Criminal Justice Cases in Pinellas County

We created our website to provide general information about particular criminal charges in the Sixth Judicial Circuit in Pinellas County. At Sammis Law Firm, our attorneys represent men and women charged with both felony and misdemeanor offenses, including:

• Criminal Traffic Crimes
  • Drunk driving or driving under the influence (DUI) ;
  • Reckless driving;
  • Driving while license suspended;
  • Habitual traffic offender (HTO) revocations and driving while license revoked as a habitual traffic offender;
• Violent Crimes
  • Domestic violence battery;
  • Domestic violence includes interference with a 911 case, stalking, or violation of a domestic violence restraining order or protective order;
  • Child Abuse or Aggravated Child Abuse cases;
  • Rape or Sexual Battery;
• Probation
  • Violation of Probation cases in felony and misdemeanor cases;
  • Violation of Pretrial Release in felony and misdemeanor cases;
  • Early Termination of Probation, Community Control or House Arrest;
• Seal or Expunge a Criminal Record, including information about the arrest, arrest photos, police reports, and information in the clerk’s file at the courthouse and online websites for Clearwater, Pinellas County, FL;
• Drug Crimes
  • simple possession of marijuana or controlled substances;
  • possession with intent to sell;
  • sell and delivery; or
  • drug trafficking;
• Theft crimes include shoplifting, petit theft, grand theft, embezzlement, employee theft, scheme to defraud, and fraud;
• Extradition to Pinellas County on a Fugitive Warrant;
• Resolving an outstanding warrant, including a bench warrant, an arrest warrant, or a capias for your arrest after a failure to appear or failure to comply with a court order.

The Pinellas County Criminal Justice Center handles cases differently than in other counties, particularly pre-file felony investigations, violation of probation cases, and emergency bond hearings. Contact us to discuss what you might need to do to protect your rights and increase your chances of finding the best resolution to your case.

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Fighting a DUI Case in Pinellas County, FL

After an arrest for DUI, you will typically have two cases pending against you.

• First, you must answer the criminal charge of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs (DUI) at the Pinellas County Justice Center Courthouse in Clearwater, FL.

• Second, if you have a civil case against you related to the administrative suspension of your driver’s license (regardless of the outcome of your criminal case), you only have 10 days to request a formal review hearing to fight the administrative suspension of your Florida driver’s license.

We represent clients charged with the following types of DUI offenses:

1. Refusal to submit to a chemical test;
2. Breath test on the Intoxilyzer 8000;
3. Blood test; or
4. Urine Test.

Read more about the punishments and penalties that result after a DUI conviction depending on how the crime is charged, including:

1. First, Second, Third, or Fourth DUI conviction;
2. DUI with a BAC of over .15 or a child passenger;
3. DUI with property damage after a vehicle crash;
4. DUI with non-serious personal injury; and
5. Felony DUI with serious personal injury.

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Track Your Felony, Misdemeanor, or Traffic Case in Pinellas County, FL

Pinellas County Criminal Cases and Traffic Infractions – Search here to research your case on the Clerk of Court Website to find information about your next court date, the judge assigned to your case, motions, and other legal pleadings filed in your case, or the disposition of an old case.

Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office Jail Inquiry – Research your case here to find the information available immediately after an arrest, including the bond and booking number for any person arrested. Major Alexis Davis commands the Detention and Corrections Bureau of the Sheriff’s Office for Pinellas County through six major divisions, including Inmate Healthcare, Central, South, North, Corrections Special Operations, and Support. The inmate population typically exceeds 3,000 inmates at any given time.

Office of Justice Coordination in Pinellas County – The Office of Justice Coordination provides research and development services focused on securing grants. The office also monitors and evaluates the effectiveness of justice programs within Pinellas County. Yashira Gonzalez currently serves as the Justice Coordination Manager.

Pinellas Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers – The Pinellas Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (PACDL) is an affiliate of the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (FACDL), the only statewide organization in Florida dedicated solely to the criminal defense attorney. The organization has existed for over 40 years. About 20 years ago the name was changed from “Criminal Defense Lawyers of Pinellas County” to “Pinellas Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.” The members of PACDL include both public defenders and private criminal defense attorneys practicing in Pinellas County, Florida. The organization provides networking opportunities at monthly meetings and yearly events, resources, educational seminars, opportunities to earn continuing legal education credits (CLEs).

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Frequently Asked Questions