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Tampa Criminal Defense
Florida's Premier Criminal Defense Firm

Recent Posts in Clearwater Category

October 25, 2010

Pinellas Drug Charges – St. Petersburg Lawyer Arrested On Charges Of Trafficking In Oxycodone

Posted By 1 800 FIGHT IT

Florida Oxycodone Trafficking

A Pinellas County lawyer has been arrested in Clearwater on drug charges for allegedly attempting to smuggle the painkiller Oxycdone into the Pinellas County Jail. The lawyer was arrested Friday at a Clearwater gas station where he was set to make an exchange with undercover deputies. The investigation began following a tip to the Pinellas County Sheriff’s.

The St. Petersburg Times is reporting that the sheriff’s received a tip on Thursday that the lawyer was bringing illegal substances into the jail. At that point detectives reached out to the lawyer to and set up a deal where the lawyer would take 50 oxycodone pills into the jail in exchange for 20 of the painkillers for himself. The attorney was arrested at the time of the exchange. The arrest took place at a Mobil gas station located on the 4800 block of Ulmerton Road.

The 31-year-old suspect has been charged with trafficking in oxycodone and possession of a controlled substance. A former Hillsborough County assistant state attorney, the current defense lawyer has been a licensed attorney in Florida for five years. He came under heavy criticism by Hillsborough County Judge William Fuente in 2008 for his defense of a shooting suspect. The trial involved David Rolon who was accused of shooting his neighbor in Sulphur Springs. The judge granted a motion for a new trial based on his in adequate representation of his client. There are no disciplinary actions on record against the man with the Florida Bar despite that judge’s ruling in the case.

In August the man was arrested on spousal battery charges that were eventually dropped. He is currently in the Pinellas County Jail on $105,000 bail on his current Florida felony drug charges. According to another newspaper report the investigation into the attorney is on-going and more information could be forthcoming.

Continue Reading Pinellas Drug Charges – St. Petersburg Lawyer Arrested On Charges Of Trafficking In Oxycodone »
September 8, 2010

Pinellas County Arrest – Getting Bailed Out Of Pinellas County Jail Just Got A Little Easier

Posted By 1 800 FIGHT IT

Pinellas Criminal Lawyer

If you happen to find yourself in a Pinellas jail needing bail following a Pinellas County arrest, there is good news for you. The Pinellas County Jail is now accepting credit and debit cards for bail of $750 or less. This is the first jail in the Tampa Bay area to offer this service. According to TampaBay.com there are only three other jails in the state that accept credit or debit cards.

According to Jim Coats, sheriff of Pinellas County, the program was put into place to lower the number of people stuck in jail while awaiting trial. The idea came out of a meeting of the minds between law enforcement, the county clerk, judges and public defenders offices.  The limit was set at $750 despite the fact the sheriff wanted it set higher. The sheriff pushed for $1000, the state attorney for $500 so they split the difference.

The program will only apply to a small portion of people in jail as the $750 threshold will include mostly those in jail for minor charges. TampaBay.com looked at the number of people arrested in Pinellas County and sitting in jail on Wednesday. Of the 3,252 people in Pinellas County jail, only 74 would qualify to use their credit or debit cards in order to post bail. The article reported that just over 20 people have utilized the program since August 23.

Most of the crimes that involve a bail of $750 or less are traffic offenses or non-violent misdemeanors. The processing fee will be seven percent and the sheriff’s and clerk’s offices will get ten percent of that cut. The Pinellas County clerk and sheriff see the idea as a winner as will many people who are arrested and need to use credit to get out. The losers under the new plan will most likely be the bail bondsmen who were called on in the past to help these people get out of jail.

Continue Reading Pinellas County Arrest – Getting Bailed Out Of Pinellas County Jail Just Got A Little Easier »
April 23, 2010

Clearwater Hit And Run – Man Convicted Twice For Leaving The Scene Of An Accident Charged With A Third

Posted By 1 800 FIGHT IT

Pinellas County Attorneys

Clayton J. Harrison has been convicted twice for leaving the scene of an accident and he is now looking at a third hit-and-run charge following an accident in Clearwater that may result in DUI charges as well. The 49-year-old was arrested this week for his involvement in an accident on U.S. 19. Harrison is accused of driving the wrong way on the major road and causing an accident with injuries and then fleeing.

The St. Petersburg Times reports Harrison had a blood-alcohol level of 0.352 according to blood tests yet it is not clear in the article whether or not the man was charged with DUI on top of leaving the scene of an accident. This is not the first time Harrison has been in need of a criminal defense attorney in Pinellas County. In 2000 Harrison was convicted of DUI after being involved in another hit and run crash. He received one year probation following that charge. In 1987 he received six months probation following hit and run crash with injury.

At the scene of his most recent accident police report Harrison was barely able to stand. He was taken to a local hospital and that is where a blood sample was taken. He was cited for leaving the scene at that point as he tried to flee following the crash. Clearwater police report that Harrison hit three vehicles. The last truck he hit ended up with his car lodged and his engine revving to try and escape.

The accident took place March 18 but Harrison was not arrested until this week. Part of the reason according to Clearwater police was that they were waiting the results of the blood test. Harrison has been released from Pinellas County Jail on $5,500 bail.

Continue Reading Clearwater Hit And Run – Man Convicted Twice For Leaving The Scene Of An Accident Charged With A Third »
March 8, 2010

Aggravated Battery With Petroleum Jelly And A Car

Posted By 1 800 FIGHT IT

A woman who almost ran over two pedestrians after running a stop sign is under arrest in Largo. Willie Eunice Gardner almost hit two pedestrians and then got into an argument with the pair after they were almost run down. The verbal spat escalated to the point where Gardner allegedly threw a can of petroleum jelly and hit one of the people in the face on top of trying to back over the pair with her vehicle.

According to TampaBay.com Gardner put her vehicle in reverse and chased the pedestrians off the road and then backed onto the sidewalk in an attempt to hit them. Gardner denies the allegations saying she was just trying to catch up to the people to continue the argument. She has been charged with two counts of aggravated battery.

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March 5, 2010

Expungement In Florida Criminal Cases

Posted By 1 800 FIGHT IT

We all know how tough things are right now in the United State as far as the economy is concerned. Getting a job in Florida has become very difficult and highly competitive. If you have any sort of criminal record, that could be the difference between you finding work and being unemployed. Did you know it is possible to have your Florida criminal record expunged?

If you were charged with a crime and those charges were dismissed or if you received a withhold of adjudication and you have no convictions on your criminal record, we can help. You have one chance to expunge or seal one crime. How does it work? Is my crime eligible for expungement? We have the answers. Read about how a Florida expungement works or call our office at 1-800-FIGHT IT (1-800-344-4848).

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March 2, 2010

Tampa Bay Men Busted Selling Stolen Kayak On Craigslist

Posted By 1 800 FIGHT IT

The victim of a theft in Clearwater was surfing the Internet and came across his stolen items for sale on Craigslist. That led to an undercover Tampa police officer right to the thieves. Now the two men who ripped off the kayaks are in jail on charges ranging from violation of probation, grand theft, using the Internet to commit a felony and dealing in stolen goods.

Eric Wexler reported two kayaks stolen from his Clearwater home on Palm Island on February 27. Both kayaks were bright yellow and were missing vital parts he removed before storing them outside his home. The Internet posting for the kayak noted those parts would not be included setting off a red flag for Wexler. He called police to alert them to the on-line posting.

Continue Reading Tampa Bay Men Busted Selling Stolen Kayak On Craigslist »
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