Stechschulte Nell Law (StechLaw)
Tampa criminal-defense firm led by a former prosecutor, handling DUI, drug, and felony cases in Hillsborough County.
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DUIFelonies
Updated June 11, 2026
If you have been arrested or charged in Tampa, what you do in the first days matters, and so does who you hire. Cases here run through the Hillsborough County courts in the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit. Below are vetted Tampa firms, plus plain-English answers on how the process works, how long it takes, and what lawyers charge.
Criminal cases in Tampa are prosecuted by the State Attorney for the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit and heard in the Hillsborough County courthouse downtown. After an arrest, you have a first appearance within 24 hours where a judge sets bond, then an arraignment where you enter a plea. From there the case moves through discovery, motion hearings, and either a plea negotiation or trial. Florida's speedy-trial rule gives the state a limited window to bring you to trial: generally 90 days for a misdemeanor and 175 days for a felony, measured from arrest, though defendants often waive this when more time helps the defense.
DUI is one of the most common charges in Hillsborough County, and Florida treats it seriously. A first conviction can mean fines, license suspension, probation, and even jail, and there is a separate administrative process to fight your license suspension that has its own short deadline, usually 10 days from arrest. Drug possession, theft, domestic battery, and probation violations are also frequent. Each carries its own exposure, and an early defense move, like challenging a stop or search, can sometimes change the whole case before trial.
Most Tampa criminal defense lawyers charge a flat fee set by the type of charge rather than billing hourly. Misdemeanors and many first-time DUI cases commonly run $1,500 to $5,000, while felonies and any case that goes to trial run higher, often $5,000 to $25,000 or more depending on complexity and the number of hearings. Many firms split the fee into a pretrial amount and a separate trial amount. Most Tampa defense firms offer a free initial consultation, so you can ask about price before committing.
These firms are profiled in full, with practice focus and recognition, in our Top 10 Criminal Defense Lawyers in Tampa guide. Each is a real, independently listed FL firm verified across legal directories.
Tampa criminal-defense firm led by a former prosecutor, handling DUI, drug, and felony cases in Hillsborough County.
Tampa defense practice covering DUI, theft, drug, and violent-crime charges.
Tampa firm focused on DUI defense, misdemeanors, and sealing or expunging records.
DUI-focused Florida defense firm with a Tampa office handling impaired-driving and related charges.
Established Tampa firm handling serious state and federal criminal matters.
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