With its warm weather, award winning beaches, and nearby attractions, the St. Petersburg / Clearwater area is a popular destination for business trips, vacations, and family events. However, during their limited stay in Florida, a number of visitors get arrested and find themselves facing criminal charges. There is a common saying, “Arrive on vacation, and leave on probation.” These out of town offenders are forced to deal with the predicament of defending against a criminal charge in Florida while residing in a distant state.
As former Florida State Prosecutors, we are knowledgeable in the local customs and practices of the St Petersburg / Clearwater criminal justice system. Additionally, we have a complete set of procedures in place to specifically handle pending criminal cases for our out-of-state clients.
We recognize the fact that your time spent in Florida was only temporary. In many instances, out of town offenders may be able to avoid returning to Pinellas County for court appearances.
Diversion Programs – We can apply for your entry into a “diversion program.” Our out-of-state clients may be eligible to participate in these programs that result in the charges ultimately being dismissed. Read more about the process of diversion programs.
Withholds of Adjudication – We can meet with the prosecutor and the court to discuss obtaining a plea bargain involving a “withhold of adjudication.” A withhold of adjudication can be a signficant advantage since you could thereafter honestly assert that you were not convicted of the criminal offense.
Sealing or Expungment – If appropriate, we can formally request the court to seal or expunge all of the records related to your arrest at the conclusion of your case. Click Here to learn more about the benefits of having your records sealed or expunged.
Our office can immediately determine if you have any upcoming court dates, pull records from your Pinellas Criminal Court file, and ascertain which prosecutor and judge are assigned to your case.
Learn your options are. Call us today for a free consultation at (727) 578-0303.
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