Hillsborough County Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving Tampa, Brandon & Plant City

If you have been arrested in Hillsborough County, or a detective has called asking you to “come in and talk,” the next few hours and days matter. Attorney Ron Frey of The Frey Law Firm, LLC defends people in Hillsborough County’s state courts and in federal court in Tampa, from our office on East Twiggs Street in downtown Tampa.

Before you answer questions or make any decisions, call. Your first consultation is free and confidential: (813) 775-2276 or toll-free (844) 766-3739. Rapid response, 24/7.

Hillsborough County Courts: The Thirteenth Judicial Circuit

Hillsborough County makes up Florida’s Thirteenth Judicial Circuit on its own. Felony cases are heard in Circuit Court, and misdemeanors and criminal traffic cases, including most DUI charges, are heard in County Court. The Office of the State Attorney for the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit prosecutes state charges.

Most criminal cases in the county are handled in downtown Tampa:

• Criminal Courthouse Annex, 401 N. Jefferson Street, where the felony divisions sit
• George E. Edgecomb Courthouse, 800 E. Twiggs Street, the circuit’s main courthouse
• Pat Frank Courthouse, 419 N. Pierce Street, home of civil traffic court
• Plant City Courthouse, 301 N. Michigan Avenue, Plant City

Our office at 625 E. Twiggs Street, Suite 101A, is on the same street as the Edgecomb Courthouse and a short walk from the downtown courthouses. That makes it easy to meet before or after a hearing.

Who Makes Arrests in Hillsborough County

Several agencies make arrests in the county, and which one is involved depends on where it happened:

• Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office covers unincorporated Hillsborough, including Brandon, Riverview, Valrico, and Seffner.
• Tampa Police Department, Temple Terrace Police Department, and Plant City Police Department cover their own cities.
• Federal agents may also be involved, especially in computer, fraud, and drug investigations.

Most people arrested in the county are booked at the Sheriff’s Orient Road Jail, 1201 Orient Road, which handles intake for more than two dozen law enforcement agencies. The Sheriff also runs the Falkenburg Road Jail. Under Florida’s rules, a person who is held must see a judge within 24 hours of arrest for a first appearance, where release conditions are addressed. Having a lawyer involved before that hearing gives you someone speaking for you from the start.

First-Time Offender Programs in Hillsborough County

Many of the people who call us have never been in trouble before. In Hillsborough County, the State Attorney’s Office runs programs that may apply to some first-time cases:

• Adult Pre-Arrest Diversion (APAD) for certain misdemeanors, for people with little or no record. If the person completes the program, no charges are filed.
• Misdemeanor Intervention Program (MIP) for first-time misdemeanor offenders. It requires the State Attorney’s consent.
• Pretrial Intervention for certain first-time felony cases, supervised by the Department of Corrections.

None of these is automatic. Eligibility depends on the charge, your history, and the prosecutor’s decision, and the early steps in a case can affect your options. Learn more about our first-time offender defense.

Charges We Defend in Hillsborough County

Attorney Frey represents people in Tampa and throughout Hillsborough County on a wide range of state and federal charges, including:

• Computer and internet crimes, a major part of his practice, often involving people with no prior record
• AI-related investigations, including deepfakes, AI-generated content, and AI-assisted fraud
• DUI and traffic offenses
• Drug charges
• Violent crimes
• Sex offenses
• Theft offenses
• White collar and financial crimes
• Professional licensing matters tied to a criminal charge
• Criminal appeals

See all of our criminal defense practice areas.

Federal Cases in Tampa: The Middle District of Florida

Federal charges arising in Hillsborough County are prosecuted in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida, Tampa Division, at the Sam M. Gibbons United States Courthouse, 801 N. Florida Avenue in downtown Tampa. The Tampa Division serves Hardee, Hillsborough, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, and Sarasota Counties.

Attorney Frey is admitted to practice in the Middle District of Florida. Some investigations, especially those involving computers, the internet, or AI, can end up in either state or federal court, and that decision is often made early. Learn more about our federal criminal defense.

Call Attorney Ron Frey Before You Talk to Anyone Else

Attorney Ron Frey has over 20 years of experience defending people accused of crimes and people under investigation. He will explain the process in plain English and talk through the options that may apply to you. No lawyer can promise a result, but you should understand where you stand before you make decisions.

Your consultation is free and confidential. You can talk with us by phone, by video, or at our Tampa office, and when the situation calls for it, we can come to you. Call (813) 775-2276 or toll-free (844) 766-3739. Rapid response, 24/7. Learn more about Attorney Ron Frey.

Not in Tampa Bay? We represent clients throughout Florida.

This page provides general information only and is not legal advice. Court locations, agency practices, and program rules can change. Reading this page or contacting The Frey Law Firm, LLC does not create an attorney-client relationship.