News

If drugs are found in a car you’re riding in or driving, you can be arrested and charged in Tampa or elsewhere in Hillsborough County. That can happen after a traffic stop. It can also happen when officers search a vehicle during a larger investigation. Many people in this position have never been in trouble…

People may find out about your criminal case in Florida even if you never tell them. Arrest information, court records, official social-media posts and news coverage can make a case visible. That does not mean every case receives publicity or that every document is public. It means no attorney can promise that an arrest or…

An arrest in Florida does not automatically mean you will be fired. It also does not guarantee that your job is protected while the case is pending. What happens depends on your work, your employer’s policies, any agreement covering your employment and the laws that apply to the position. The immediate question is often, “What…

If you were just arrested and released, talk to a criminal defense lawyer before answering questions or making a statement to police. Confirm your court date, read your release conditions and keep the papers and messages related to your case. Attorney Ron Frey of The Frey Law Firm, LLC represents people charged with crimes across…

A missed court date, a letter about a case or a caller claiming to be a deputy may leave you wondering whether you have a warrant in Pinellas County. Call a criminal defense attorney to help check what is happening and discuss your options. Speak with an attorney before answering police questions or making a…

If you think you have an arrest warrant in Hillsborough County, whether you live in Tampa, Brandon, Riverview or Temple Terrace, speak with a criminal defense attorney before answering questions or making a statement to police. An attorney can help verify the warrant, identify the issuing court and review whether a bond has been set.…

“The police have the evidence. I already told them what happened. Why would I plead not guilty?” Attorney Ron Frey hears this question often from people facing a criminal charge for the first time. In Florida, an initial not guilty plea puts the State to its burden of proving the charge while your attorney reviews…

Recent arrests in Manatee County involved allegations of human trafficking through coercion and deriving support from prostitution, after an investigation that included an undercover detective. Many of these cases are brought in state court under Florida law, though federal agencies sometimes investigate human trafficking as well. If you or a friend or family member has…

Federal agents are still working through COVID-era Small Business Administration loans years after the programs closed. A recent federal plea in Fort Myers involved wire fraud and illegal monetary transactions tied to an Economic Injury Disaster Loan, along with forfeiture of the loan proceeds. If the SBA Office of Inspector General, the FBI or IRS…

If you or a friend or family member was arrested in Tampa Bay, or agents have started asking questions, one of the first things to sort out is which system the case belongs to. Is my case going to be federal, state or both? Many people assume double jeopardy means only one government can bring…