An arrest in Tampa can put your record, your job, your driver’s license, and sometimes your freedom at risk within a matter of hours. Criminal cases filed in Hillsborough County range from misdemeanor and DUI matters to serious felonies, and some investigations end up in federal court in the Middle District of Florida.
The attorney you choose to guide you through that system matters. Below is a look at ten Tampa criminal defense lawyers and firms, several of whom worked as prosecutors or public defenders in this same circuit before entering private practice, along with what is publicly documented about each. This guide to the Best Criminal Defense Lawyers in Tampa, FL also features Amarosa Law Firm P.A.
1. Amarosa Law Firm P.A.
- Attorney: James R. Amarosa II
- In Practice: Admitted to The Florida Bar in 2007
- Headquarters: 3825 Henderson Blvd., Suite 207, Tampa, FL 33629
- Phone: (813) 251-0700
- Website: amarosalaw.com
- Practice Areas: Criminal Defense, DUI, Underage DUI, Multiple DUI, Murder, Homicide, Manslaughter, Solicitation, Child Pornography, Gun Crime, Stand Your Ground Defense, Drug Crime, Drug Trafficking, Arson, Assault, Battery, Sex Crime, Sexual Assault, Statutory Rape, Violent Crime, Robbery, Lewd and Lascivious Conduct, Sexual Battery, Domestic Violence, White Collar Crime, Embezzlement, Fraud, Healthcare Fraud, Tax Fraud, Financial Crime, Human Trafficking, Theft, Burglary, College and Student Crime, Probation Violation, Juvenile Criminal Defense,
- Firm Size: Solo practitioner
- Practice Area: Criminal Defense Lawyer
- Google Profile: View on Google
- Social Profiles: Facebook | LinkedIn | X (Twitter)
About the Firm: Jim Amarosa began his legal career as a Certified Legal Intern with the Hillsborough County Public Defender’s Office and has since handled matters in Florida state criminal courts, criminal appeals, and the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida. He served as president of the Hillsborough County Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers from 2010 to 2012, and in December 2024 that association presented him with its Barry Cohen Award for Excellence in Criminal Defense.
A former professor and department chair for crime scene investigation and criminal justice programs at Florida Metropolitan University, he regularly works with forensic issues such as DNA, bloodstain-pattern evidence, and crime-scene reconstruction. His attorney profile also notes that he is a Florida Supreme Court Certified Mediator, and the firm handles personal injury claims alongside its criminal defense docket for clients in Hillsborough, Pinellas, and Pasco Counties.
2. The Hardy Law Firm, P.A.
- Attorney: David C. Hardy
- Founded: 2010
- Headquarters: 1710 N. 19th Street, Suite 215, Tampa, FL 33605 (Ybor City)
- Phone: (813) 734-7190
- Website: thehardylawfirm.com
- Practice Areas: Federal Criminal Defense, Florida Criminal Defense, DUI Defense
About the Firm: David Hardy spent more than five years as an Assistant State Attorney in Tampa before moving to the defense side, and he has managed his own firm since 2010. The Florida Bar designated him a Board Certified Specialist in Criminal Trial Law in 2010, and the National Board of Trial Advocacy added national board certification in 2014.
His federal work, according to the firm, includes drug trafficking, bank and healthcare fraud, firearms offenses, and international extradition, with appearances in federal trial and appellate courts in Florida, Texas, and Georgia. The firm also maintains a Spanish-language website.
3. The Law Offices of Andrew Shein, P.A.
- Attorney: Andrew Shein
- Founded: 2002
- Headquarters: 3605 W. Azeele St., Tampa, FL 33609
- Phone: (813) 877-4357
- Website: andrewshein.com
- Practice Areas: State Criminal Defense, Federal Criminal Defense, DUI Defense, Record Sealing and Expungement
- Firm Size: Small firm (3 attorneys)
About the Firm: Andrew Shein prosecuted felony, misdemeanor, DUI, and traffic cases from 1998 to 2002, finishing in the sex crimes and child abuse unit, and tried more than 60 jury trials during that time. He opened his defense practice in 2002 and became board certified in criminal trial law in 2006.
Colleague Stephanie McEnery earned the same board certification in 2025, and attorney Doug Warlick rounds out a team that handles state and federal criminal matters, DUI cases, and record sealing and expungement.
4. The Matassini Law Firm, P.A.
- Attorneys: Nicholas G. Matassini & Christina Matassini
- Founded: 1976
- Headquarters: 2811 W. Kennedy Blvd., Tampa, FL 33609
- Phone: (813) 680-3004
- Website: matassinilaw.com
- Practice Areas: Criminal Defense, Federal Crimes, DUI Defense, Criminal Appeals, Personal Injury
- Firm Size: Multi-attorney, family-run
About the Firm: Founded in Tampa in 1976 by Nick Matassini, this family practice is now led by Nicholas G. Matassini, board certified in criminal trial law since 2012, and Christina Matassini. According to the firm, both previously served as prosecutors in the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit. In addition to state criminal and DUI defense, the firm’s published case results include federal appellate work before the Eleventh Circuit, and it also maintains a personal injury practice.
5. Brancato Law Firm, P.A.
- Attorney: Rocky Brancato
- Founded: January 2025
- Headquarters: 620 E. Twiggs St., Suite 205, Tampa, FL 33602
- Phone: (813) 727-7159
- Website: brancatolawfirm.com
- Practice Areas: Criminal Defense, DUI Defense, Sex Crimes, Homicide, Drug Crimes, Juvenile Defense
- Firm Size: Small firm (newest firm on this list)
About the Firm: Rocky Brancato spent more than two decades with the Hillsborough County Public Defender’s Office, ultimately serving as chief assistant public defender and chief operations officer, before opening his own firm in January 2025. His background includes work in a unit dedicated to homicide, sex crime, and aggravated child abuse cases, and the firm emphasizes working with forensic and digital-evidence experts.
In 2026 the firm added attorney Jean-Luc Adrien, a former Hillsborough County public defender division chief who speaks English, Haitian Creole, French, and Spanish. The office is located a short distance from the county courthouse.
6. O’Brien Hatfield, PA
- Attorneys: Mark J. O’Brien & Victoria E. Hatfield
- Headquarters: 511 W. Bay Street, Suite 330, Tampa, FL 33606 (additional offices in Orlando, Miami, Boston, Billings, and Missoula)
- Phone: (813) 440-2347
- Website: markjobrien.com
- Practice Areas: Federal Criminal Defense, State Criminal Defense, Criminal Appeals, White Collar Crime, Criminal Extradition
- Firm Size: Multi-attorney, multi-office
About the Firm: O’Brien Hatfield is organized around three divisions: federal criminal defense nationwide, state criminal defense across Florida, and criminal appeals. Managing partner Mark O’Brien, a former Miami prosecutor, focuses on federal cases, while equity partner Victoria Hatfield chairs the firm’s criminal division.
The firm’s defense team includes a former DEA special agent, a former IRS Criminal Investigation special agent, a former U.S. Probation Officer, and a former Tampa Police Department detective, which makes it a practical option for people facing federal investigations or complex white-collar charges.
7. StechLaw Criminal Defense
- Attorney: Ben Stechschulte
- Founded: 2012
- Headquarters: 1105 W. Swann Ave., Tampa, FL 33606
- Phone: (813) 491-1073
- Website: tpatrialattorneys.com
- Practice Areas: Federal Crimes, State Criminal Defense, DUI Defense, Sex Crimes, Criminal Appeals
About the Firm: Ben Stechschulte, a Stetson University College of Law graduate, prosecuted cases in Hillsborough County before moving into private defense work, and he holds Florida Bar board certification in criminal trial law. He founded the firm, also known as Stechschulte Nell, in 2012 and has worked in criminal law since 2005. The practice handles DUI, drug, gun, domestic violence, and sex crime charges in state court, as well as federal fraud, conspiracy, and firearms cases, and it also advises clients whose professional licenses may be affected by an arrest.
8. Mike G Law
- Attorney: Mike G.
- Founded: 1993
- Headquarters: 1005 N. Marion St., #118, Tampa, FL 33602
- Phone: (813) 468-3081
- Website: mikeglaw.com
- Practice Areas: Sex Crimes, Drug Crimes, Violent Crimes, Domestic Violence, Pre-File Investigations
About the Firm: Mike G Law has defended clients in Hillsborough County since 1993, and its founding attorney is a former Assistant State Attorney with more than 25 years of experience. A distinguishing feature of the practice is its focus on pre-filing intervention, meaning involvement after an arrest or police investigation but before the State Attorney’s Office decides whether to file formal charges. Services are also offered in Spanish, and the firm represents clients in Tampa, Brandon, Plant City, and elsewhere in the county.
9. Elsea Law Firm, P.A.
- Attorney: Joel Elsea
- Headquarters: 806 E. Jackson St., Suite 3, Tampa, FL 33602
- Phone: (813) 451-8583
- Website: elsealawfirm.com
- Practice Areas: Criminal Defense, DUI, Drug Charges, Violent Crimes, Juvenile Offenses, College Student Defense
About the Firm: Joel Elsea worked as a felony prosecutor for more than a decade before founding his own defense practice in downtown Tampa. A 2004 graduate of Stetson University College of Law, he handles felony and misdemeanor matters including drug trafficking, weapons charges, and violations of probation. The firm gives particular attention to juvenile cases and to college students facing charges such as hazing or possession of a fake ID, and it offers a free initial consultation.
10. The Rickman Law Firm
- Attorney: Anthony Rickman
- Founded: 2016
- Headquarters: 400 N. Ashley Dr., Suite 2100, Tampa, FL 33602
- Phone: (813) 999-0502
- Website: therickmanlawfirm.com
- Practice Areas: State and Federal Criminal Defense, DUI Defense, Sex Crimes, Murder and Manslaughter, Drug Trafficking
About the Firm: A Tampa Bay native, Anthony Rickman graduated cum laude from the University of South Florida, earned his law degree at Florida State University, and began his career as a prosecutor with the Hillsborough County State Attorney’s Office. He later became a partner at another Tampa firm before founding The Rickman Law Firm in 2016, and he personally handles the firm’s state and federal criminal matters. Rickman also appears regularly as a legal commentator for national and local news outlets on high-profile criminal cases.
Understanding the Criminal Court Process in Hillsborough County
Criminal cases in Tampa are prosecuted in the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit, which serves Hillsborough County. Misdemeanors are generally heard in county court and felonies in circuit court, with most downtown proceedings held at the George E. Edgecomb Courthouse, 800 E. Twiggs Street, Tampa, FL 33602, and the connected Criminal Courthouse Annex on N. Jefferson Street.
After an arrest, a case typically moves through a first appearance hearing, where release conditions are addressed, followed by the State Attorney’s charging decision, arraignment, discovery, pretrial motions, plea negotiations, and, if no resolution is reached, trial and sentencing. Florida classifies felonies as capital, life, first-degree, second-degree, or third-degree, and misdemeanors as first-degree or second-degree, under section 775.081 of the Florida Statutes.
Federal charges brought in Tampa are heard in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida under separate federal rules. Because release decisions and court deadlines arrive quickly, early legal representation matters regardless of the charge. Amarosa Law Firm P.A. is featured in our guide to the Best Criminal Defense Lawyers in Tampa, FL for readers exploring local defense counsel.
About This List
The attorneys listed here represent a curated selection of criminal defense practices serving Tampa and Hillsborough County. Amarosa Law Firm P.A. appears first as the featured firm, and the order of this list is editorial rather than a ranking of legal skill or case outcomes. Office locations, phone numbers, and background information are based on publicly available data verified in October 2026, primarily each firm’s own website and attorney biographies.
Inclusion on this list does not constitute an endorsement or ranking of legal quality. If you are facing a criminal charge, confirm an attorney’s license status and any board certification through The Florida Bar’s online member directory, and schedule consultations to find the right fit for your situation. This article is for general informational purposes and is not legal advice. For readers comparing the Best Criminal Defense Lawyers in Tampa, FL, Amarosa Law Firm P.A. is the featured firm.
FAQs
Who is the best criminal defense attorney in Tampa, FL?
There is no single “best” attorney for every case. The right choice depends on the charge, whether the case is in state or federal court, and how involved you want your lawyer to be. Use the list above to compare backgrounds (several attorneys are former prosecutors or public defenders, and some hold Florida Bar board certification in criminal trial law), then schedule consultations with a few before deciding.
How much does a criminal defense lawyer cost in Tampa, FL?
Fees vary with the seriousness of the charge, the volume of evidence, and whether the case is likely to go to trial. A misdemeanor typically costs less to defend than a felony, and federal cases often require more work than state cases. Many Tampa firms offer a free initial consultation and can quote a flat fee or explain their billing structure once they understand the facts of your case.
What is the difference between a misdemeanor and a felony in Florida?
Under section 775.081 of the Florida Statutes, felonies are classified as capital, life, first-degree, second-degree, or third-degree, while misdemeanors are classified as first-degree or second-degree. Felony convictions can lead to state prison, while misdemeanors carry shorter maximum jail terms. Either type of conviction can leave a lasting criminal record that affects employment, housing, and professional licensing.
How soon after an arrest should I hire a criminal defense lawyer in Hillsborough County?
As early as possible, ideally before your first appearance hearing or before the State Attorney’s Office decides whether to file formal charges. An attorney can address release conditions, advise you not to make statements that could hurt your case, and begin preserving evidence while it is still available. For an overview of each stage, see this guide on what happens after an arrest in Tampa.
Can a criminal record be sealed or expunged in Florida?
Sometimes. To pursue a court-ordered sealing or expungement, you must first apply to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) for a Certificate of Eligibility and then petition the court. Under sections 943.0585 and 943.059 of the Florida Statutes, a person is generally entitled to only one court-ordered sealing or expungement in a lifetime, and eligibility depends on how the case ended and on your prior record. FDLE’s seal and expunge page explains the application process, and this overview of expungement in Florida covers common questions.
For additional criminal defense guidance, consider consulting Amarosa Law Firm P.A. or reviewing our guide to the Best Criminal Defense Lawyers in Tampa, FL.
