Tampa Criminal Defense Blog

Being arrested is one of the most stressful and disorienting experiences a person can go through. Whether it’s your first encounter with the criminal justice system or not, the first 24 hours after an arrest are critical. The decisions you make during this time can significantly impact the outcome of your case.

When you’re facing a criminal investigation or arrest in Florida, one legal concept shows up again and again: probable cause. It is one of the most important standards in criminal law, and one that often determines whether law enforcement actions are lawful or unconstitutional.

When you are charged with a crime in Florida, the single most important protection you have is the State’s burden of proof. At Hunt Law, we make sure every client understands this fundamental principle: you are presumed innocent, and the prosecution must prove your guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

If you are facing criminal charges in Tampa or anywhere in Florida, one of your most important constitutional protections is the right to confront the witnesses against you. This right comes from the Sixth Amendment to the United States Constitution, commonly referred to as the Confrontation Clause.

If you or a loved one is facing serious criminal charges in Florida, one critical issue that can arise is competency to stand trial. In a recent decision from Florida’s Second District Court of Appeal, Leeks v. State, the court addressed an important procedural question: what happens when a trial court finds a defendant competent, but fails to put that finding in writing?

For criminal defendants and defense attorneys alike, postconviction litigation under Florida Rule of Criminal Procedure 3.850 is a critical, but often misunderstood, stage of a case. In Mejia v. State, the Florida Second District Court of Appeal issued a significant opinion clarifying when a postconviction court must address claims raised in a motion, and when it does not.

Florida law provides a detailed framework that judges must follow when making bail decisions. This blog post explains Florida’s bail determination statute (Fla. Stat. § 903.046) in clear, practical terms so you understand what to expect and how an experienced Tampa criminal defense attorney can help.

On 04/29/2026 a Hillsborough County Court Judge granted our Motion to Dismiss on the grounds that our client's Constitutional Right to a Speedy Trial had been violated.

If you have been arrested in Tampa or anywhere in Florida, you have likely heard that you are entitled to a “speedy trial.” Many people assume that means the government must bring their case to trial within a strict deadline. In Florida, however, there are actually two different speedy trial protections:

At Hunt Law, we regularly speak with individuals in Tampa and throughout Hillsborough County who were arrested, or became targets of an investigation, after voluntarily speaking with law enforcement. Whether police contact you about allegations involving DUI, domestic violence, theft, drug crimes, assault, sex crimes, or other criminal allegations, understanding your constitutional rights is critical.

If you or a loved one has been arrested in Tampa or anywhere in Florida, one of the first questions is often: “Will I be able to bond out of jail?” In many cases, the answer is yes. However, under Florida law, certain defendants may be held in jail without bond through a process known as pretrial detention.

If you’ve been arrested for DUI in Tampa or anywhere in Florida, one of the most important laws that will immediately affect your case is Florida’s Implied Consent Law, codified in Florida Statute § 316.1932. Understanding how this law works, and the consequences of refusing testing, is critical to protecting your driver’s license and your defense.

If you are facing criminal charges in Tampa or anywhere in the Tampa Bay area, one of the most important distinctions you will hear from your attorney is the difference between an “adjudication of guilt” and a “withhold of adjudication.” At Hunt Law, this distinction is critical. It can affect your criminal record, your civil rights, your employment opportunities, and even your eligibility for sealing or expungement.

If you’ve been charged with a first-time DUI in Hillsborough County, Florida, you may have heard about the Reducing Impaired Driving Recidivism (RIDR) program. This diversion-style initiative, created by the Office of the State Attorney for the 13th Judicial Circuit, can provide a path to avoid a DUI conviction, but only if you meet strict eligibility requirements and complete specific conditions.

In Edwards v. State, the Florida Second District Court of Appeal addressed an important procedural issue in violation of probation (VOP) cases, clarifying that a defendant cannot enter a “plea” to a violation of probation, even though courts and practitioners sometimes use that terminology loosely.

For individuals in Tampa and throughout Hillsborough County, understanding the difference between sealing and expungement (and knowing how to properly pursue each) is critical. Just as important is having an experienced Tampa criminal defense attorney guide you through the process to avoid costly mistakes and delays.

If you are arrested for DUI in Florida, your driver’s license can be immediately suspended, even before your criminal case is resolved. This is known as an administrative license suspension (ALS), and it is handled by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV), not the criminal court.

If you or a loved one has been arrested in Hillsborough County, one of the first and most important steps in the process is the first appearance hearing. Understanding how this hearing works can make a critical difference in protecting your rights and securing a favorable outcome.

If you’re facing felony charges in Florida, one of the most important, and often misunderstood, factors in your case is the Criminal Punishment Code (CPC) scoresheet. This document plays a critical role in determining the sentence you may face if convicted.

If you’ve been charged with a crime in Florida, the potential consequences extend beyond jail or probation. Under Florida Statute 775.083, courts are authorized to impose significant financial penalties, often in addition to other punishments. These fines can quickly add up, and understanding how they work is critical to protecting your rights and your future.