Criminal Defense Lawyers

Aggressive Representation Protecting Your Constitutional Rights

If you are looking for criminal defense lawyers you can trust in the area of criminal law, we have the reputation, experience, and knowledge to handle your case. Since 1958, the criminal defense lawyers at Battaglia, Ross, Dicus & McQuaid, P.A. located in St. Petersburg have unmatched experience in both the State and Federal Criminal Justice System. Our lawyers are highly credentialed and there is not a law firm in Pinellas County that can compare to the reputation and resources that our lawyers bring to your case. Turn around this difficult time in your life and start heading in the right direction by hiring an experienced St. Petersburg criminal lawyer.

Our law firm has handled thousands of cases similar to yours throughout St. Petersburg, Tampa, Clearwater and the state of Florida. We are here to guide you through a complicated court system with the ultimate goal of helping you solve the problems that you face today. We will strive to find ways to best advance your cause. Our representation will be fair, unbiased and affordable.

As criminal trial lawyers with decades of criminal law experience in the Tampa Bay area, our scope of the criminal law practice is extensive, ranging from the investigation, arrest, bond, plea or trial, sentencing, appeal, and post-conviction relief. We treat each matter on an individual basis, aggressively representing your interest and protecting your constitutional rights while striving for an appropriate resolution.

Learn more about Our Approach to Handling Criminal Law Cases.

Criminal Defense Lawyers Practice Areas

Our St. Petersburg criminal defense lawyers have successfully handled a full range of criminal matters including these common areas:

The use of drugs and controlled substances has become an epidemic in Pinellas County and throughout the Tampa Bay area. The effect of this addiction continues to destroy lives and families daily. Fortunately, our criminal defense lawyers have seen every type of case imaginable. While we always first look for a defense to the charge, we keep in mind that many people suffering from addiction need to treat the underlying problem, or they will be right back in trouble. We are familiar with the types of treatment programs available and the different drug courts. Jails and prisons are full of people found with drugs who simply have an addiction. Our goal is to make sure that if a client needs help, he or she gets that help rather than being put in jail or getting a felony conviction. Contact Battaglia, Ross, Dicus & McQuaid today to speak with a drug possession attorney.

Drug sale and trafficking charges are serious offenses. The State Attorney’s Office in Pinellas County vigorously prosecutes these types of cases. If you have been accused of selling narcotics or in possession of a trafficking amount, you are in serious risk of jail or prison. Our St. Petersburg criminal defense lawyers have handled every type of narcotics case and are prepared to aggressively defend you. There are many defenses to sale charges and we always press on the weak points of the charge. Sale charges that are not done directly to an officer are always difficult to prove, especially when an informant is involved. Likewise, trafficking charges are often overcharged and unfair. You would be amazed how many people are charged with trafficking and then when I have the drugs independently weighed, the weight is actually below the trafficking limit. In any event, while trafficking charges are serious and carry minimum mandatory penalties, there are ways to defend these cases.

DUIs are one of the most common charges in Pinellas County due to the zero-tolerance policy by law enforcement and the State Attorney’s Office. Pinellas County has one of the most aggressive prosecutions of DUI charges in the state of Florida and often has one of the highest conviction rates. An arrest for DUI can happen to anyone at any time and we are often hired by many clients who have never been in trouble before. We aggressively defend DUIs and with the appropriate techniques, often avoid convictions. Contact Battaglia, Ross, Dicus & McQuaid, P.A. and speak with a DUI attorney about your case.

The most common domestic violence charge is domestic battery. If the police are called to a home and either party claims that a battery occurred, the police are required to arrest. Many clients involved in a domestic violence case have never been arrested before and this causes tremendous repercussions. Our criminal defense lawyers have handled all types of domestic cases and will be able to advise on how to get the charges dismissed or perhaps reduced to a lesser charge.  Contact us today and speak with one of our attorneys who specialize in domestic battery.

Battery and assault charges can range from misdemeanors to serious felonies. These charges often depend on the extent of the injury and the willingness of the victim to prosecute. Simple misdemeanor battery charges can become felonies if someone has a prior battery conviction, if the victim was over 65, if a weapon was used or if the injury becomes serious. In those extreme situations, the battery becomes a felony battery or aggravated battery. Likewise, an assault becomes a felony if a weapon or firearm is alleged to have been used. In those situations, the assault charge becomes an aggravated assault. Speak with a domestic battery attorney today, we will provide you with a free case evaluation.

Sex crimes are extremely serious and even the allegation of a crime can have life-changing consequences. Many of the sex crimes we see as criminal defense lawyers involve date rape or sex with an unconscious person. The defendants in these cases are usually young men either in high school, college or early twenties. Rarely do we handle violent sex-related crimes. Over the past decade, we have seen a rise in charges relating to traveling to meet a minor. These traveling charges involve the use of a cell phone or computer to contact a victim or even a detective posing as a victim. They carry harsh penalties, prison and sex offender designations for those convicted.

The penalties for prostitution charges have increased over time in an effort to deter the activity. Most solicitation charges arise from stings where female undercover officers pose as prostitutes luring in unsuspecting men. These officers are often very manipulative with the men they arrest and there are many defenses to these charges. However, even though solicitation for prostitution is a misdemeanor, the State Attorney’s Office in Pinellas County has been aggressively pursuing fines of $5,000.00. Therefore, a St. Petersburg criminal defense lawyer should be contacted immediately after an arrest.

Violations of probation can happen for both misdemeanors and felonies. If our criminal defense lawyers have handled the underlying crime, we can easily handle the VOP. If you were placed on probation by another violation of probation attorney and are in trouble for a technical VOP or a new charge, we can take over the entire case.

Firearms and weapons cases are always aggressively reviewed by prosecutors. Gun charges are always the most serious of this area. A criminal defense lawyer may be able to challenge the ability of the State to prove the possession of the firearm or weapon and get the charge dropped or dismissed. Recently, many law enforcement agencies have started checking firearms for fingerprints or touch DNA, which has made these defensive issues much more complicated.  It’s important to speak with a gun and weapon charges attorney and take the proper steps to protect your future.

Traffic citations are often defended in north or south county traffic court. These charges are often driving on a suspended license, leaving the scene, racing or DUI. They are misdemeanors but can carry driver’s license suspensions and fines.

White collar crimes are a term used for many fraud or theft cases. They are often financial crimes involving a paper trail. The layperson’s term for many white collar crimes done by an employee is embezzlement. Our criminal defense lawyers are sophisticated and able to understand cases involving financial documents. Most of our lawyers have extensive civil backgrounds so they are familiar with accounting and document production. We believe our experience handling both civil and criminal matters make us unique in the criminal defense field and suited for these types of cases.  Contact Battaglia, Ross, Dicus & McQuaid and speak with one of our white collar crimes attorneys.