Tampa Criminal Lawyer

If you have been arrested or are currently the subject of an investigation by law enforcement in the Tampa area, your future and freedom may be on the line. What you do now will most likely have a significant impact on the outcome of your case. Gaining more information on the subject will help you make the right choices about retaining legal counsel and addressing your charges in general. At Thomas & Paulk, P.A. we are here to help you in this difficult time. We built this website to offer you and people in all walks of life information about criminal offenses, criminal defense and our firm's services in this field. With a Tampa criminal attorney from our offices at your side, you can face this matter head on to seek a positive resolution.

About Our Criminal Defense Services in Tampa

To learn more about the criminal defense cases we handle in Tampa, please review the below information or click on any of the links listed. This is your opportunity to find out more not only about our areas of practice but also about the different penalties that may be imposed for these various offenses, your legal rights and how an attorney can assist you in resolving these matters in a swift and effective manner.

Driving Under the Influence
Driving under the influence, or DUI, is a serious crime that may result in license suspension as well as jail time and heavy fines for a convicted defendant. A driver may also face increased insurance costs and other issues if found guilty, even for a first-time DUI. Read more about DUI.

White Collar Crimes
A white collar crime is a criminal offense that typically occurs in a business environment or involves finances or politics. Some examples include embezzlement, identity theft, fraud and money laundering. These cases require an attorney with a great deal of resources to counteract state or federal investigations. Read more about white collar crimes.

Drug Crimes
Drug crimes may be charged at a state or federal level. These offenses relate to controlled substances, ranging from illegal narcotics such as cocaine to prescription medication such as oxycodone. Though the specific penalties may vary depending on the type and amount of drug, these are serious offenses that may have lasting consequences for a convicted offender. Read more about drug crimes.

Theft Crimes
Theft may be a misdemeanor or felony offense, depending on the amount of property involved, the manner in which the offense was allegedly committed, and the defendant’s criminal record. A theft crime involves the intentional taking or misappropriating of another’s property by force, deception or without the owner’s knowledge or consent. Read more about theft crimes.

Federal Crimes
Federal crimes are typically more serious than offenses charged at a state level, with harsher penalties and less leniency in sentencing due to Federal Sentencing Guidelines. Some examples include mail and wire fraud, government fraud and interstate drug trafficking. Read more about federal crimes.

Violent Crimes Lawyer
Violent crimes, such as assault, manslaughter, murder and attempted murder, involve the use or threat of violence or physical force against another person. Many violent crimes are charged as felonies in Tampa, with harsh penalties if a defendant is convicted. Read more about violent crimes.

Domestic Violence
Due to the harsh consequences of a conviction and the fact that the prosecuting attorney will have the sole discretion of deciding whether to press charges, domestic violence charges are some of the most serious cases that our firm handles. These involve violence or abuse between family members, spouses, ex-spouses and people who live together. Read more about domestic violence.

Tampa Juvenile Crimes
When a minor is accused of committing a crime, he or she will face legal proceedings in juvenile court. Our firm provides experienced defense counsel to minors facing juvenile crimes of all kinds, including graffiti, gang-related offenses, weapons charges, drug crimes and more. Read more about juvenile crimes.

Three Strikes Crimes
Under our state’s Three Strikes Law, a defendant who is convicted of a violent felony offense may receive a “strike” on his or her criminal record. A second strike will result in enhanced penalties and a third strike may result in life imprisonment. Read more about three strikes crimes.

Sex Crimes
Due to their nature, sex crimes are some of the most serious criminal offenses that a person may be accused of committing. Our firm represents defendants throughout Tampa in the face of sex offense allegations, investigations and charges. Read more about sex crimes.

Pre-File Investigations
Even before a defendant has been formally charged with a crime, there is much that a criminal attorney may be able to do to help. Our firm offers experienced and aggressive pre-file investigation services to help clients avoid criminal charges in the first place. Read more about pre-file investigations.

Expungements
If you have a criminal record and are interested in finding out whether you can seal or clear your record, you can discuss expungement with a lawyer at our firm. This can open up employment and educational opportunities for you. Read more about expungement.

Tampa DUI Attorneys
Our firm represents drivers in the Tampa area who have been arrested and charged with DUI. Our experience in challenging the physical evidence and arresting officer testimony associated with these cases gives our clients a distinct edge in the criminal courtroom and at their DHSMV hearings. Read more about our Tampa DUI attorneys.

Tampa Warrants
Has a warrant been issued for your arrest? You can challenge a bench warrant (issued for a failure to appear in court, failure to pay a fine or other violated court order) or arrest warrant (issued if you are accused of committing a crime) with the help of a competent criminal lawyer. Read more about warrants.

Internet Crimes
Internet crimes, or cyber crimes, involve various criminal offenses committed over or using the internet. Offenses of this nature have become exceedingly prevalent in recent years as more and more business and financial transactions take place online. Read more about internet crimes.

Military Crimes
If you or a loved one is in the military, you will face specific legal proceedings if you are arrested or are accused of committing any type of criminal offense. We offer experienced counsel at court-martial proceedings and more. Read more about military crimes.

Assault & Battery
Assault and battery are violent crimes that involve the attempt, threat or act of physical violence against another person. Unwanted touching may also be considered a form of battery, depending on the circumstances of the case. Assault and battery may be charged as misdemeanors or felonies. Read more about assault and battery.

Burglary
Burglary, sometimes referred to as breaking and entering, is an offense that involves unlawfully entering another’s property with the intent of committing theft or a felony offense. Read more about burglary.

Violation of Restraining Order
A restraining order is a court order that prohibits the person named from contacting or coming within a certain distance of another person, usually a victim of domestic violence, harassment or stalking. If a person violates a restraining order, this may result in their arrest and the enforcement of harsh penalties if they are found guilty. Read more about restraining order violations.

Extradition
When a person faces criminal charges in another state, that state may initiate extradition proceedings to have the person returned to that state to face criminal proceedings. If you are facing extradition, it is crucial to act quickly and involve a lawyer who can protect your legal rights and possibly help you avoid this outcome. Read more about extradition.

Aiding / Abetting
When a person is accused of helping another commit a crime, he or she may be charged with aiding and abetting. Even if the accused played a minor role, this can have serious consequences. Read more about aiding and abetting.

Conspiracy
A defendant may face conspiracy charges if he or she allegedly agreed to commit a crime with another person and made some step toward the completion of the criminal act, even if the crime did not actually take place. Depending on the case, a defendant convicted of conspiracy may face the same penalties as actually committing the crime. Read more about conspiracy.

Hit & Run
When a driver is involved in an auto accident, even one that he or she did not cause, the driver is legally required to stop and remain at the scene to exchange contact and insurance information with the other party or parties involved. Leaving the scene of an accident may be charged as a misdemeanor or a felony in Tampa. Read more about hit and run.

Perjury
Perjury is the criminal act of making false statements while under oath. For example, a witness in a criminal trial who intentionally lies during his or her testimony may face perjury charges for corrupting the legal process. Read more about perjury.

Stalking
Repeatedly following, contacting and/or harassing another person may constitute the criminal act of stalking. Restraining orders are often filed in these cases, and a suspected stalker may also face criminal charges. Read more about stalking.

Obstruction of Justice
A defendant may face obstruction of justice charges for allegedly interfering with or attempting to interfere with the administration of justice. Evading the police, giving false testimony, failing to report a crime or bribing a witness may all be considered forms of obstructing justice. Read more about obstruction of justice charges.

Probation Violation
A defendant may be granted probation in lieu of jail time, allowing his or her conditional release into society. If a probationer is accused of violating the terms of his or her probation in some way (failing to report to the probation officer, committing a new crime, failing a drug test, etc.) probation may be revoked and the alleged offender may face imprisonment. Read more about probation violations.

We also welcome you to call our offices at your earliest convenience to talk to a professional about your unique concerns or to schedule an in-person consultation. You can find out more about your particular case and options.

Contact a Tampa criminal defense attorney today.