Best Hillsborough County Criminal Lawyers

If you’ve been charged with a crime in Hillsborough County, Florida, finding the right criminal defense attorney is crucial. The stakes are high and you need an experienced lawyer in your corner who knows the local courts and prosecutors and can build the strongest possible defense. I did a bunch of research to find the top-rated and most successful criminal defense firms in Hillsborough County. Here’s my take on the best of the best!

Musca Law

Located in Tampa and serving clients across Florida, Musca Law is one of the premier criminal defense firms in Hillsborough County. Their attorneys bring over 150 years of combined experience and have an impressive track record of positive case results. They handle everything from DUI to drug crimes, violent offenses, white-collar crimes, and more. A few key reasons I recommend them:

• Deep bench of experienced attorneys, including Jonathan Dingus (34 years experience), Derrick Smith (29 years), and founding partner John Musca (24 years).
• Responsive, friendly, and very helpful in explaining the legal process.
• Meticulous attention to detail in building a defense strategy.
• Aggressive in pursuing pre-trial motions to get charges dropped or reduced.

Musca Law offers free case evaluations and is definitely worth considering for criminal representation in Hillsborough County.

Joffe Law, P.A.

Joffe Law, P.A. is a boutique Tampa criminal defense firm focusing on providing personalized attention and representation to each client. Led by David Joffe, who has over 25 years experience, they handle cases ranging from misdemeanors to serious felonies. Some key strengths:

• Emphasis on open communication and keeping clients informed.
• Strong record of positive outcomes even on serious charges.
• Willingness to take cases to trial and not just pushing for plea deals.
• Focus on discrete legal strategies targeted to the specifics of each case.

If you want an attorney who will truly tailor the defense to your unique situation, Joffe Law is an excellent option.

Brian Palacios Law

For aggressive criminal defense representation from a former state prosecutor, I recommend attorney Brian Palacios. As a former prosecutor, he understands how the state builds cases against defendants. He uses that insider knowledge to exploit weaknesses and get charges reduced or dismissed. Here’s why to consider him:

• Over 12 years experience as both prosecutor and defense attorney.
• Excels at identifying procedural and evidentiary issues to challenge.
• Has experience taking cases all the way through trial if needed.
• Strong negotiator to get advantageous plea deals when appropriate.

For a lawyer with experience on both sides of criminal cases, look no further than Brian Palacios.

Law Office of Paulk & Paulk

For top-notch representation on state and federal criminal charges, I recommend the Law Office of Paulk & Paulk. Their focus is exclusively on criminal defense, and founding partners Dino Paulk and Courtney Paulk bring over 50 years combined experience. They handle everything from misdemeanors to serious violent crimes and drug trafficking. Why choose them?

• Their sole focus is criminal defense, not a side practice area.
• Particularly strong on federal charges and crimes crossing state lines.
• Courtney Paulk previously worked for the Hillsborough Public Defender.
• Dino Paulk is a go-to for DUI and drug crimes.

For a firm dedicated solely to criminal defense, the Law Office of Paulk & Paulk is an excellent choice.

Other Strong Choices

While those four firms are my top recommendations, Hillsborough County is home to many skilled criminal defense attorneys. Here are a few other excellent lawyers to consider:

• Randall Grantham – Former public defender with over 25 years experience.
• Melissa Donoho – Strong on DUI and drug cases.
• Grady Irvin, Jr. – Thorough investigator who uncovers weaknesses in the prosecution’s case.
• Lyann Goudie – Excellent at getting charges dismissed pre-trial.