Pinellas County Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving St. Petersburg, Clearwater & Largo

An arrest in St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Largo, or anywhere else in Pinellas County puts you in a court system with its own courthouses, its own prosecutors, and its own programs. Attorney Ron Frey of The Frey Law Firm, LLC represents people in Pinellas County courts from our Tampa office, just across the bay, and is a member of the Pinellas County Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.

The first step is a phone call. Your consultation is free and confidential: (813) 775-2276 or toll-free (844) 766-3739. Rapid response, 24/7.

Pinellas County Courts: The Sixth Judicial Circuit

Pinellas County shares Florida’s Sixth Judicial Circuit with Pasco County. Felony cases go to Circuit Court, and misdemeanors and criminal traffic cases, including most DUIs, go to County Court. The Office of the State Attorney for the Sixth Judicial Circuit prosecutes state charges in both counties.

Most Pinellas criminal cases are heard at the Pinellas County Justice Center, 14250 49th Street North in Clearwater, the county’s main criminal court facility. The circuit also holds court at the St. Petersburg Judicial Building, 545 1st Avenue North, and at courthouses in downtown Clearwater. Check your court notice carefully: going to the wrong building is an easy mistake, and missing a hearing can lead to a warrant.

Who Makes Arrests in Pinellas County

Pinellas County is made up of 24 cities and towns plus unincorporated areas, so the arresting agency depends on exactly where something happened:

• Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office covers unincorporated Pinellas and a number of cities that contract with it, including Dunedin, Safety Harbor, St. Pete Beach, Madeira Beach, and Indian Rocks Beach.
• St. Petersburg Police Department, Clearwater Police Department, Largo Police Department, and Pinellas Park Police Department cover their own cities.
• Federal agents may be involved in computer, fraud, and drug investigations.

People arrested in Pinellas are generally booked into the Pinellas County Jail, 14400 49th Street North, on the same campus as the Justice Center. Under Florida’s rules, a person who is held must go before a judge within 24 hours of arrest for a first appearance, where release conditions are addressed. Calling a lawyer before that hearing means someone is speaking for you from the beginning.

Pretrial Intervention in Pinellas County

The Sixth Circuit State Attorney’s Office runs a Pre-Trial Intervention (PTI) program for people with no prior record, or a minimal one, who are charged with certain misdemeanors and non-violent felonies. Felony PTI is supervised by the Department of Corrections, and misdemeanor PTI by the Sheriff’s Office. If every condition is met, the charges are dismissed. There is also an adult Drug Court for certain eligible cases.

Getting into PTI is not automatic. The application goes to the State Attorney’s Office, and the charge, your record, and the facts all matter. A lawyer can tell you whether it is worth pursuing in your case. Learn more about our first-time offender defense.

Charges We Defend in Pinellas County

Attorney Frey represents people throughout Pinellas County on state and federal charges, including:

• Computer and internet crimes, a major focus of his practice, often for people who have never been arrested before
• AI-related investigations, such as deepfakes and AI-assisted fraud
• DUI and traffic offenses
• Drug charges
• Violent crimes, including assault and battery
• Sex offenses
• Theft offenses
• White collar and financial crimes
• Professional licensing matters connected to a criminal case

See all of our criminal defense practice areas.

Federal Cases From Pinellas County

Federal charges from Pinellas County are not heard in Pinellas. They go to 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 same city as our office.

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

Talk to Attorney Ron Frey First

Attorney Ron Frey has over 20 years of experience defending people facing criminal charges and investigations. He will explain what is happening in plain English and what your options may be. No lawyer can promise an outcome, but you should know where you stand before you talk to investigators or make any decisions.

You don’t have to make the drive to Tampa to get started. Consultations are available 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.