St. Petersburg Criminal Defense Attorneys
A criminal charge can feel like the floor dropping out from under you. Your freedom is at risk, but so is everything else you have built.
The St. Petersburg criminal defense lawyers at Khonsari Law Group represent clients throughout Pinellas County in DUI, drug crimes, violent crimes, federal charges, homicide, and juvenile cases, fighting for the best outcome available from the first phone call through the final resolution.
Every criminal case deserves aggressive, experienced defense from day one. Call (727) 269-5300 now for a free and confidential case review.
What Does a Criminal Conviction in Florida Actually Cost You?
A guilty verdict costs far more than whatever sentence the court hands down. In Florida, a criminal conviction reaches into nearly every part of your life, often for years or decades after the case closes.
- Employment. Most Florida employers run background checks. Under Florida Statute 775.082, Florida classifies criminal offenses as felonies or misdemeanors, each with distinct penalty ranges. That classification follows you into every job application: a felony conviction, and in many fields a misdemeanor, disqualifies candidates from positions they are otherwise qualified for.
- Professional licenses. Doctors, nurses, attorneys, teachers, real estate agents, contractors, and dozens of other licensed professionals can face suspension or revocation of their license following a conviction. Many licensing boards treat a felony as grounds for automatic disqualification.
- Housing. Private landlords run background checks. Felony convictions disqualify applicants from a large share of available rental properties, and public housing programs carry their own eligibility restrictions.
- Family court. A criminal record can be raised in timesharing and parental responsibility proceedings in Pinellas County family court. It does not automatically determine the outcome, but it becomes a factor in the court’s evaluation of each parent.
- Immigration status. For non-citizens, certain criminal convictions trigger mandatory deportation proceedings regardless of how long a person has lived in the United States.
- Firearms rights. A felony conviction permanently prohibits possession of firearms under both Florida and federal law.
- Record sealing and expungement. One of the most practically significant outcomes in any Florida criminal case is whether the court enters a withhold of adjudication (meaning no formal conviction is recorded) or an adjudication of guilt. Under Florida Statute 943.059, a withhold of adjudication may preserve eligibility to seal the record later. An adjudication of guilt closes that door entirely. This distinction is worth fighting for from the beginning.
Criminal Cases We Handle in St. Petersburg
Khonsari Law Group defends clients against criminal charges throughout Pinellas County and the surrounding area. Our criminal defense practice in the 6th Judicial Circuit includes:
DUI and DUI Manslaughter
A first-offense DUI in Florida carries mandatory minimum consequences: fines, license suspension, and potential jail time. DUI with serious bodily injury or DUI manslaughter crosses into felony territory, with potential prison sentences measured in years or decades.
The science behind field sobriety testing, breathalyzer calibration, and blood alcohol results is challengeable, and how a defense attorney approaches that challenge matters from the moment of the traffic stop.
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Drug Crimes
Florida prosecutes drug offenses aggressively at the state level, and federal prosecutors take trafficking cases with even greater resources. The legal difference between simple possession and trafficking can come down to the weight of the substance found, making the circumstances of the search and seizure central to every drug defense.
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Violent Crimes
Assault, battery, robbery, and related charges carry serious minimum mandatory sentences under Florida law. How the facts are investigated, challenged, and presented determines whether those minimums apply in full or whether a stronger defense outcome is achievable.
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What If You Are Facing Federal Charges?
Federal criminal cases are prosecuted in U.S. District Court under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, a mandatory framework that controls sentence length in federal cases. Conviction rates in federal court significantly exceed those in state court, and federal investigations often begin long before charges are filed.
Defense in these cases requires an attorney who understands how federal cases are built, not just how state charges work.
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Homicide and Manslaughter
Murder, manslaughter, DUI manslaughter, and vehicular homicide represent the most serious charges Pinellas County courts hear. These cases require experienced defense representation immediately, before evidence is lost, witnesses become unavailable, or the state’s investigation gets too far ahead of the defense.
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Juvenile Defense
Juveniles charged with crimes in Florida enter a separate court system built around rehabilitation rather than punishment. But serious charges, including certain violent felonies, can result in prosecution as an adult, with adult sentencing consequences. How a juvenile case is handled in its earliest stages can determine which track it follows.
Explore St. Petersburg Juvenile Defense services →
Khonsari Law Group also handles probation violation hearings, theft and burglary charges, white collar crimes, and record sealing and expungement proceedings throughout Pinellas County.
The consequences of a criminal conviction in Florida are too serious to face without experienced representation. Call Khonsari Law Group at (727) 269-5300 or contact us online for a free and confidential consultation. We are ready to start building your defense.
What Should You Do Right After Being Arrested in Florida?
Invoke your rights immediately, say nothing about the facts of the case, and contact a criminal defense attorney before your first court appearance. The decisions made in the hours after an arrest have more influence on the outcome of a criminal case than most people realize.
- Invoke your right to remain silent. Tell the officer clearly: “I am invoking my right to remain silent” and “I want an attorney.” Then say nothing further about the facts of the case, no matter how long the questioning continues or how the officer frames the conversation.
- Do not consent to searches. You are not required to give police permission to search your vehicle, your home, or your belongings. Saying “I do not consent to this search” does not obstruct the officer. It preserves a potential legal challenge if the search proceeds anyway.
- Do not discuss your case from jail. Phone calls and visiting room conversations in Florida jails are routinely monitored and recorded. Do not discuss the facts of your case with family members, friends, or anyone else through those channels.
- Do not post anything on social media. Anything you say, share, or comment on can be used in the case against you.
- Document everything you remember. As soon as you are able, write down where you were, who else was present, what the officers said, what evidence was collected, and the sequence of events as you experienced them. Memory fades quickly under stress.
- Contact an attorney before your first appearance. In Florida, you will typically appear before a judge within 24 hours of arrest for a first appearance, where bail is set and charges are formally presented. Having an attorney before that hearing means you have representation at the moment that sets the tone for everything that follows.
Why Does It Matter That Your Defense Attorney Was Once a Prosecutor?
A former prosecutor knows criminal cases from both sides of the courtroom. Rohom Khonsari served as an Assistant State Attorney before founding Khonsari Law Group, and that experience shapes how every defense case this firm handles is built.
A prosecutor learns which cases are strong and which ones are not, what makes evidence hold up in court and what makes it fall apart, when a plea offer from the state is genuinely favorable and when it is not, and how investigators sometimes cut corners in ways that create real defense opportunities. That knowledge does not stay behind when you switch sides. It becomes the foundation of a defense that anticipates what the prosecution will do before they do it.
Khonsari Law Group holds membership in the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and carries a Better Business Bureau A+ rating and an Avvo Client Choice designation. The firm has been featured on ABC Action News, Bay News 9, the Tampa Bay Business Journal, and the Tampa Bay Times.
Ask Khonsari Law Group
Will a criminal defense attorney really help my case even if I did it?
Yes, in almost every situation. A guilty verdict at trial carries a very different outcome from a negotiated plea to a reduced charge, a sentence with a withhold of adjudication instead of a formal conviction, or a case resolved in a way that keeps future options open. An attorney’s job is to achieve the best available outcome for your situation, whether that means fighting at trial or negotiating a resolution that minimizes long-term consequences.
How much does a criminal defense attorney cost in St. Petersburg?
The cost depends on the severity and complexity of the charges, whether the case goes to trial, and the preparation required. Khonsari Law Group offers a free initial consultation so you understand what your case involves and what representation will cost before committing to anything. Call (727) 269-5300 to schedule yours.
What is the difference between a misdemeanor and a felony in Florida?
Under Florida Statute 775.082, misdemeanors carry potential sentences of up to one year in county jail. Felonies range from five years for a third-degree felony up to life imprisonment or the death penalty for capital offenses. The classification determines more than your potential sentence: it affects professional licensing, firearms rights, immigration status, background check results, and whether your record may later be eligible for sealing.
Can I get my criminal record sealed in Florida after my case is resolved?
It depends on how the case was resolved. Under Florida Statute 943.059, record sealing is available when the court issued a withhold of adjudication rather than a formal conviction, and when other eligibility requirements are met. If you were adjudicated guilty, sealing is generally not available.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I represent myself in a criminal case in Florida?
You have a constitutional right to represent yourself, sometimes called proceeding “pro se,” and Florida courts permit it after confirming you understand what you are waiving. That said, a prosecutor handling a case against a self-represented defendant is under no legal obligation to offer leniency, and they rarely do. Criminal cases involve procedural rules, evidentiary standards, and tactical decisions that take years of practice to develop.
What is a plea bargain, and should I take one?
A plea bargain is a negotiated agreement where the defendant agrees to plead guilty, typically to a reduced charge or with a recommended sentence, in exchange for certainty and a faster resolution than going to trial. Whether to accept a plea offer depends on the strength of the state’s evidence, the potential sentence if convicted at trial, and the specific terms on offer. There is no universal answer.
Can criminal charges be dropped or dismissed in Florida?
Yes. Prosecutors can drop charges before trial if evidence is insufficient or witnesses are unavailable. A judge can dismiss a case at the preliminary hearing stage if the state cannot present enough evidence to support the charges. Defense attorneys can also file motions to suppress evidence obtained through an unconstitutional search or seizure, which is a formal legal request to exclude that evidence from the case.
What are mandatory minimum sentences in Florida, and can they ever be avoided?
Mandatory minimum sentences are legislatively required prison terms that judges must impose for certain categories of offenses, most commonly drug trafficking and crimes involving firearms. Unlike standard sentencing, a judge has no discretion to go below the minimum even if they believe a lesser sentence is appropriate. In limited circumstances, cooperation with law enforcement or qualification for a specific statutory exception can allow the court to impose a sentence below the mandatory minimum. These exceptions are narrow and fact-specific.
A criminal charge is not the end of the story. The St. Petersburg criminal defense lawyers at Khonsari Law Group are ready to stand between you and the full weight of a prosecution, fight for every available option, and make sure your case gets the defense it deserves.
Call (727) 269-5300 or contact us online for a free and confidential consultation. We represent clients throughout St. Petersburg, Pinellas County, and the greater Tampa Bay area.