St. Petersburg, FL Defense Lawyers
Criminal Defense Attorneys in
St. Petersburg, FL
Facing criminal charges can be overwhelming. A simple arrest does not mean you will be convicted or face the penalties that come with a conviction. Whether you are facing a misdemeanor offense, such as DUI, or a serious felony drug crime, you have a lot at stake. If you or a family member are facing criminal charges, it is important to consider all of your legal options.
You owe it to yourself to seek the services of an experienced and dedicated criminal attorney who will never settle for an easy outcome or the typical result. Our criminal defense attorney in St. Petersburg, FL, will work one-on-one with you to make sure your rights are preserved and fight to have your charges reduced or even dropped. We fight cases throughout Pinellas County and the surrounding counties in the Tampa Bay Area.
Free Initial Legal Consultation
During your free initial consultation, our criminal defense firm will determine an affordable, flexible payment plan that provides you qualified legal representation. Based on the unique facts and circumstances of your case, our defense attorney will develop a plan for the best possible outcome. We will take over all aspects of your case by tracking it in the court system, analyzing the state’s evidence, preparing defense motions and entering negotiations with the state, all in an effort to minimize the impact on you.
Morris Law Firm, P.A. provides a free initial consultation at our criminal defense firm. Call (727) 388-4736 to learn how our criminal defense attorneys in St. Petersburg, FL can help you! Call now!
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Very knowledgeable, personable, and gets back to you with in the same day.
“Seth is an amazing lawyer and did exactly what he told me he was going to do. He is very knowledgeable, personable, and gets back to you with in the same day. Unfortunately I had to hire Seth two ...”
- Darren D. on Google -
This law firm gives everything they can to help you receive the best possible outcome.
“Amazing Experience! Highly Recommend!! Not having any idea what the next steps are in a bad situation requires someone with extreme knowledge. I used google to search for a local lawyer and found the ...”
- Amanda S. on Google -
As a client, I felt cared for, respected, and at ease knowing that my attorney was continually exploring every legal option on my behalf.
“The Morris Law Firm helped me tremendously in a time of anxiety and high stress. Seth Shapiro fought for my justice and was able to help close my case in a way that is often hard to obtain. His ...”
- Kathleen K. on Yelp -
Goes above and beyond
“Melinda has represented me on numerous cases and the outcome has always been great. Melinda goes above and beyond to defend your rights and get you the best possible outcome. I highly recommend hiring ...”
- Shasta on Google -
The Service Was Just Exceptional
“I had been represented by another attorney for 4 months, but felt like I was not getting the justice I deserved. I was falsely accused of battery by an ill ex, who also happen to be a recently early ...”
- Al A. on Yelp
Why Choose Our Law Firm?
See the Difference Our Service Provides-
FORMER STATE PROSECUTOR
Melinda Morris is a former prosecutor and has handled thousands of criminal cases from investigation through sentencing enabling us to identify weaknesses in the State’s case against you.
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STRATEGICALLY AGGRESSIVE
We never settle for the easiest outcome or the typical result. We know how to negotiate with the State Attorney and we will work to get you the best possible outcome.
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TRUSTED & EXPERIENCED
Melinda Morris has practiced criminal law for over 20 years. Our clients trust advice that comes from experience in nearly every type of criminal case.
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PERSONAL ATTENTION
We will know every client’s story because we will take the time to listen and understand. You will work with your attorney one-on-one at every stage of the process.
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PROMPT COMMUNICATION
You will have the cell phone number of your attorney. Your attorney will directly return your call, email, or text to answer your pressing questions.
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SAME DAY REPRESENTATION
The government is wasting no time in trying to prove your guilt, a proactive defense is imperative. Prompt and decisive action from your defense attorney is of critical importance.
Cases we Handle
Dedicated to Criminal Defense
Case Results
Throughout the years, the Morris Law Firm has defended individuals for a variety of criminal offenses. For your reference, we have added many of our previous case results to this website. These case results are a sample of Melinda Morris' and Seth Shapiro’s representation in St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Largo and and throughout Pinellas County, Hillsborough County, Sarasota County, Manatee County, and surrounding communities.
Disclaimer: The Florida Bar does not approve or review the case results that criminal defense attorneys provide on their website. As you learn more about our recent case results and statements regarding the quality of our work, please be aware of each of the following:
- The facts and circumstances of your case may differ from the facts and circumstances of the cases we discuss here.
- Not all results are provided.
- The case results discussed here are not necessarily representative of the results obtained in all cases.
- Each case is different and must be evaluated and handled on its own merit.
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Domestic Violence Nolle Prosequi (dismissed)
Facts: The client accepted into the Navy Seals program until domestic battery arrest put his acceptance in jeopardy. Navy would no longer accept clients to serve in the military with a domestic violence conviction. The alleged victim was the client’s wife. The client had no prior arrest record.
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Drug Crimes Possession of Prescription Pills
Facts: The client was out with friends in downtown St. Petersburg when he was approached and subsequently searched by St. Petersburg police. Officers found the following pills in possession of the client: Klonopin, Prozac, and Geodon.
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DUI Jury Trial – Not Guilty Verdict
Facts: The client was found passed out twenty feet from his vehicle with no other cars or people around. During an accident, the investigation the client admitted being the driver of the vehicle. A criminal investigation was then initiated and the client invoked his Miranda Rights and refused to speak further to law enforcement. The client performed field sobriety exercises on video and later submitted to a breath test with results of .136/.143. The client had a prior DUI conviction from two years earlier.
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Drug Crimes Possession of Marijuana – Nolle Prosequi
Facts: The client was on probation for a previous felony charge of Possession of Marijuana when he was arrested again for Possession of Marijuana during a traffic violation and subsequent search of the client’s vehicle. The client faced a felony Violation of Probation on the original charge along with the new charges. The State Attorney was seeking jail time on the felony Violation of Probation.
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Driver License Suspension License Reinstated
Facts: The client received a citation for Driving While License Suspended Without Knowledge. The client appeared at the clerk’s office and paid the citation. When he did so, he unknowingly received a conviction for DWLSR. The Florida Department of Highway Safety & Motor Vehicles issued an Order of License Revocation, notifying the client his driving privileges were revoked for a period of five years.
Recent News
Stay Up-to-Date-
By: Morris Law Firm, P.A. Florida BUI vs. DUI: Key Differences and Their Impact on BoatersView Article
- DUI
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By: Seth Shapiro, Esq. 5 Things To Know When You've Been Arrested For Domestic Battery And Have Also Been Served With An InjunctionView Article- Criminal Defense,
- First Time Offender,
- Florida Criminal Law,
- Domestic Violence,
- Self-Defense
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By: Morris Law Firm Morris Law Firm Attorneys rated one of the Top 3 Criminal Defense Lawyers in St. Petersburg!View Article
- Criminal Defense,
- DUI,
- First Time Offender,
- Florida Criminal Law,
- Domestic Violence,
- Drug Defense,
- Juvenile Defense,
- Marijuana Defense,
- Traffic Offenses
Personal, One-On-One Attention
At Morris Law Firm, P.A., your concerns are our highest priorities. We understand the immense stress that a criminal charge can bring. The experienced criminal defense attorneys of Morris Law Firm, P.A. will be there with you every step of the way, fighting to protect your future from the possibility of prison, jail, fines and a criminal record. Whether you are facing a DUI in St. Petersburg or a felony offense in Clearwater, our skilled and dedicated attorneys are here to help. Contact a compassionate and knowledgeable criminal defense lawyer at Morris Law Firm, P.A., located in the Greater Tampa Bay area. Call (727) 388-4736 to schedule a free consultation.
Former Prosecutor Fighting for the Accused
Melinda Morris, the managing partner of Morris Law Firm, P.A., is an experienced criminal defense attorney and former Assistant State Attorney with the Sixth Judicial Circuit in Clearwater, Florida. As a former prosecutor, Melinda has handled thousands of criminal cases from investigation through sentencing. She entered private practice to focus exclusively on criminal defense after gaining valuable experience as a prosecutor in Pinellas County. Melinda’s extensive knowledge of the Florida criminal justice system enables her to identify weaknesses in the State Attorney’s case. She uses her 20+ years of experience as an attorney to pursue the best possible outcome for clients. Melinda is a strong advocate for her clients, no matter the charge. She has represented those facing a variety of felony and misdemeanor offenses, including DUI charges, drug offenses, domestic violence and white collar crimes. As a criminal defense attorney, she also works with clients in sealing criminal records and probation violations.
Protecting the Rights of Out-of-State Clients
If you have been charged with a crime or have an outstanding warrant in Florida, but currently reside outside of Florida, we still can represent you in your criminal case. Morris Law Firm, P.A. may be able to appear in court on your behalf, ensuring you will not have to return to Florida to deal with your criminal charges. Our attorneys can make the process of dealing with criminal charges easier. We can correspond with you via e-mail and phone to effectively provide you experienced criminal defense representation. We are adamant about keeping you informed and working to defend your rights. This can significantly reduce the burden you face and allow you to move on with your life, while our criminal defense firm defends your freedom and record.
Drunk Driving and DUI Defense Attorney in St. Petersburg, FL
One of the most common criminal offenses in Florida is driving under the influence. This offense is heavily prosecuted and can carry a wide variety of penalties and repercussions. A conviction for DUI can be a heavy burden when applying for a job or even continuing your education. Melinda Morris is skilled on both sides of the law when it comes to DUI charges. As a state attorney, she served on the DUI Manslaughter / Vehicular Homicide squad and was responsible for prosecuting serious cases, beginning with the investigation through the trial phase. Additionally, she received special training on prosecuting DUI cases from the state. This inside knowledge and experience allows her to fight for the rights of clients facing a variety of DUI-related charges, including DUI with property damage, commercial DUI and even out-of-state visitor DUI. She understands how prosecutors work in these cases, and she knows how to build a strong defense against the charges.
Based on our experience in the practice area of DUI defense, the Morris Law Firm wrote a book – What You Must Know If You Have Been Arrested For DUI – A Former State Prosecutor’s Guide to DUI Charges in Florida – created with the intent to provide critical information about DUI arrests and legal proceedings in Florida to our clients and potential clients.