By Ashley Robinson Facing a criminal charge in Hillsborough County — whether a state misdemeanor, a serious felony, or a federal indictment in the Middle District of Florida — carries consequences that can permanently alter your career, your freedom, and your family. Tampa’s criminal courts are among the busiest in Florida, handling everything from DUI and drug offenses to complex federal white-collar prosecutions and capital murder cases.
The difference between an experienced, well-regarded criminal defense attorney and an average one is often the difference between charges being dismissed and a conviction. After thorough research into attorney credentials, client feedback, peer ratings, and professional recognition, here are five of the most highly regarded criminal defense attorneys serving Tampa:
1. Rocky Brancato — The Brancato Law Firm, P.A.
- Address: 620 E Twiggs St Ste 205, Tampa, FL 33602, United States
Rocky Brancato brings over 25 years of Tampa Bay criminal defense experience built across every level of the system. Before founding his own firm in 2025, he served as Chief Operations Officer and Chief Assistant Public Defender at the Hillsborough County Public Defender’s Office — one of Florida’s largest criminal defense agencies — where he led more than 100 attorneys and personally tried over 150 jury trials to verdict, including death penalty cases.
Why Clients Choose Him:
- AV Preeminent rated by Martindale-Hubbell, selected to Super Lawyers, and holds perfect 10.0 ratings on both Justia and Avvo — a rare combination of peer-recognized legal excellence and verified client satisfaction confirming his standing at the top of Tampa’s criminal defense bar.
- Death-qualified to defend capital cases in Florida — the most demanding designation in criminal law, requiring demonstrated experience, knowledge, and judicial approval to represent defendants in cases where the state is seeking execution.
- Former police academy instructor who trained officers on criminal procedure and courtroom testimony, giving him unique insight into how law enforcement builds cases and where investigative errors can be strategically challenged to benefit clients.
2. Brunvand, Wise & Farinella Law Group
- Address: 502 E. Tyler Street, Tampa, FL 33602 | Phone: (813) 521-8069
Bjorn Brunvand and J. Jervis Wise are both Florida Board Certified Criminal Trial Attorneys — a distinction earned by fewer than a small fraction of eligible Florida lawyers. Brunvand holds the additional distinction of being nationally board certified. Together, the founding partners bring more than 60 years of combined criminal defense experience in state and federal courts, with a team approach that draws on former public defender backgrounds and deep familiarity with the Tampa Bay judicial system.
Why Clients Choose Them:
- Dual board-certified criminal trial lawyers leading the firm — Florida board certification in criminal trial law requires rigorous testing, peer evaluation, and a demonstrated record of jury trial experience, placing Brunvand and Wise among an elite tier of practitioners in the Tampa Bay area.
- Bjorn Brunvand is admitted to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court and numerous federal district courts, reflecting a breadth of federal court access and appellate capability rarely matched at the local level, and is consistently selected to Super Lawyers in the white-collar crime category.
- FindLaw client reviews consistently describe the team as consummate professionals who deliver in high-profile and high-stakes cases, with multiple clients noting that Brunvand personally handled matters where other attorneys had failed or offered little hope.
3. O’Brien Hatfield, P.A.
- Address: 511 W Bay St Suite 330, Tampa, FL 33606, United States | Phone: (813) 440-2347
Led by Mark J. O’Brien — a nationally recognized federal criminal defense attorney and former Miami prosecutor — O’Brien Hatfield is one of the few Tampa-based firms with genuine coast-to-coast federal criminal defense reach. With offices in Tampa, Orlando, Miami, and Montana, the firm represents individuals and corporations in federal criminal cases both statewide and nationwide, handling everything from white-collar investigations to drug trafficking, public corruption, and criminal appeals.
Why Clients Choose Them:
- A 5.0 Superb rating across verified client reviews on Avvo, with 2025 and 2026 clients consistently describing the team as aggressive, deeply responsive, and capable of achieving case dismissals even before charges are formally filed — a level of pre-indictment intervention that requires genuine federal defense experience.
- Victoria Hatfield leads state court defense and has secured multiple trial acquittals, while the firm’s support team includes a former DEA agent, a former IRS criminal investigator, a former U.S. Probation Officer, and a former Tampa police detective — a uniquely comprehensive investigative infrastructure.
- Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for private case reviews, with a client base that spans doctors, lawyers, politicians, business executives, law enforcement officers, military members, and professional athletes — clients who cannot afford anything less than the best available representation.
4. Mike G Law — Michael Gonzalez
- Address: 1000 N Ashley Dr #520, Tampa, FL 33602, United States
Michael Gonzalez, known professionally as Mike G, is a former Assistant State Attorney who spent years as a prosecutor in Tampa Bay before switching to criminal defense. With over 25 years of courtroom experience and an AV Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell, he has built a reputation for combining prosecutorial-level case insight with genuine personal accessibility that few defense attorneys offer.
Why Clients Choose Him:
- AV Preeminent rated — earned through peer evaluation by judges and fellow attorneys who consistently rate his legal ability and ethical standards at the highest available level — supported by a 4.6-star Google and review average reflecting consistent real-world client satisfaction.
- Former Assistant State Attorney background gives him a precise understanding of how prosecutors assess evidence, prepare charges, and decide whether to offer plea arrangements — insight that directly translates to more effective pre-trial negotiations and motion strategy for clients.
- Serves Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco, Polk, and Hernando counties, answers client calls and texts 24 hours a day, and offers Spanish-language services — making him broadly accessible across the Tampa Bay region for clients who need immediate, direct attorney contact rather than staff screening.
5. Sammis Law Firm, P.A.
- Address: 1005 N. Marion Street, Tampa, FL 33602 | Phone: (813) 250-0500
Founded in 2008 by Jason and Leslie Sammis — both University of Florida College of Law graduates — Sammis Law Firm is a Tampa criminal defense practice that operates exclusively in criminal defense across Hillsborough, Pinellas, and Pasco counties. The firm’s six-attorney team handles felony, misdemeanor, and DUI cases with a scholarly, motion-focused approach and a downtown Tampa office just blocks from the Hillsborough County Courthouse.
Why Clients Choose Them:
- Exclusive criminal defense focus across a six-attorney team, all of whom concentrate solely on criminal matters — meaning clients benefit from depth of case-specific experience rather than a generalist firm dividing attention across multiple practice areas.
- Active members of the Hillsborough County Bar Association, the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, and the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers — professional memberships that keep the firm current on legislative changes, case law developments, and evolving defense strategies in Florida’s courts.
- Client reviews highlight the firm’s thorough pre-trial motion practice, same-day consultation availability, and ability to win dismissals and charge reductions in serious felony cases, including a notable stand-your-ground case that resulted in full dismissal after charges had been pending for two years.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What should I do immediately after being arrested in Tampa?
Invoke your right to remain silent and ask for an attorney before answering any police questions. Anything you say to law enforcement before speaking with a defense attorney can be used against you in court, and early statements frequently shape the direction of prosecution.
Q. What is the difference between a state and federal criminal charge in Tampa?
State charges are prosecuted in Hillsborough County courts under Florida law. Federal charges are prosecuted in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida and carry strict sentencing guidelines, limited parole options, and lengthier investigation timelines — requiring an attorney with dedicated federal court experience and admission to federal practice.
Q. Can criminal charges be dropped before going to trial in Florida?
Yes. Charges can be dismissed by the prosecutor for insufficient evidence, resolved through pre-trial diversion, or dropped following successful pre-indictment negotiations. The earlier a qualified attorney is involved, the greater the opportunity to prevent formal charges from being filed at all.
Q. What does "board certified" mean for a criminal trial attorney in Florida?
Florida Board Certification in criminal trial law is awarded by The Florida Bar to attorneys who demonstrate significant jury trial experience, pass a rigorous written examination, and receive positive peer evaluations. Fewer than 2% of Florida attorneys hold board certification in criminal trial law.
Q. How long does a criminal case typically take in Hillsborough County?
Misdemeanor cases often resolve in weeks to a few months. Felony cases can take six months to over a year depending on the complexity of discovery and the number of pre-trial motions filed. Federal cases in the Middle District of Florida can take considerably longer, particularly those involving financial crimes or multi-defendant indictments.
Q. Can a criminal record be sealed or expunged in Florida?
Florida permits sealing or expungement of qualifying criminal records for individuals with no prior convictions and charges that meet statutory eligibility requirements. An attorney can evaluate your record, assess eligibility, and manage the process through the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.