Hillsborough County Criminal Defense Attorney
Brian Palacios: Hillsborough County, Florida Criminal Defense Attorney
Brian Palacios is a Hillsborough County criminal defense attorney and former State Prosecutor for Florida’s 13th Judicial Circuit. With more than 15 years of experience and 1,000+ cases handled, he defends people charged with DUI, assault and battery, drug offenses, theft, domestic violence, and serious felonies throughout Tampa, Brandon, Riverview, and Plant City. Because he once prosecuted these exact cases, he knows how the State builds them, and where they break. If you have been arrested, call (813) 461-3457 for a free, confidential consultation, available 24/7.
What Does a Hillsborough County Criminal Defense Attorney Do?
A criminal defense attorney protects your rights from the moment of arrest through the resolution of your case. In Hillsborough County that means challenging the legality of the stop or search, scrutinizing how evidence was collected, negotiating with the State Attorney’s Office, and, when necessary, taking your case to trial at the George E. Edgecomb Courthouse in downtown Tampa. A conviction can affect your freedom, your driver’s license, your job, and your record for life, so the goal is to intervene early, before the State’s version of events hardens into the only story on the table.
Brian Palacios handles the full range of Florida criminal charges: misdemeanor and felony DUI, assault and battery, domestic violence, drug possession and trafficking, theft and burglary, and violent felonies. He also handles record sealing and expungement, DMV license hearings, and post-conviction relief.
DUI Defense in Hillsborough County
Hillsborough County is one of the most aggressive DUI enforcement jurisdictions in Florida, consistently posting some of the state’s highest arrest totals through checkpoints and multi-agency campaigns like Operation 3D. Arrests involve the Tampa Police Department, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, the Florida Highway Patrol, and university and municipal agencies, with breath tests processed at Central Breath Testing near the Orient Road Jail.
The single most important deadline is 10 days. After a DUI arrest you have just 10 days to request a formal review hearing with the Florida DHSMV Bureau of Administrative Reviews. Miss it, and your administrative license suspension begins automatically on day 11. Under Florida Statute § 316.193, the legal limit is 0.08% for most drivers, 0.04% for commercial drivers, and 0.02% for drivers under 21. A breath reading of 0.15% or higher, a prior DUI, or an accident involving injury all increase your exposure, and a Florida DUI conviction can never be sealed or expunged.
Florida DUI Blood-Alcohol (BAC) Limits Under § 316.193
The good news: many first-time cases have real defenses. Breath machines require documented calibration and maintenance; field sobriety tests must follow strict procedures; and traffic stops must be supported by lawful cause. Eligible first offenders may also qualify for Hillsborough County’s RIDR program (Reducing Impaired Driving Recidivism), which can reduce a DUI to reckless driving upon completion of its terms.
Other Criminal Charges We Defend
DUI is only part of the picture. Brian Palacios defends the complete spectrum of criminal cases in Hillsborough County, and the same former-prosecutor strategy applies across all of them.
- Assault & battery: from simple misdemeanor battery to aggravated felony charges involving weapons or serious injury.
- Domestic violence: cases that carry no-contact orders, firearm restrictions, and lasting family consequences, often built on a single 911 call.
- Drug offenses: possession, sale, and trafficking of controlled substances, where illegal searches and lab-testing issues frequently create defenses.
- Theft & property crimes: petit and grand theft, shoplifting, burglary, and fraud, where intent and value are often contestable.
- Violent & serious felonies: including weapons charges and offenses that carry mandatory-minimum prison terms.
Whatever the charge, the defense begins the same way: understanding exactly what the State must prove, then dismantling it piece by piece.
What Happens After an Arrest in Hillsborough County?
After booking, typically through the Orient Road Jail or Falkenburg Road Jail, most people are released after a first appearance where a judge sets bond and any conditions of release. From there, misdemeanor and felony cases are prosecuted by the Hillsborough County State Attorney’s Office and heard primarily at the Edgecomb Courthouse in Tampa, with some matters at the Plant City Courthouse. DUI cases run on two separate tracks at once: an administrative case with the DMV over your license, and a criminal case in court. Both have deadlines, and both need to be handled from day one. The earlier a defense attorney gets involved, the more options remain on the table.
The First Days After a DUI Arrest Run on Two Tracks at Once
Why Choose a Former Prosecutor?
There is a meaningful difference between a defense lawyer who has only seen a criminal case from one side and one who has stood at the prosecution table. Before becoming a defense attorney, Brian Palacios spent years as a State Prosecutor for Florida’s 13th Judicial Circuit.
That experience gives him valuable insight into how prosecutors evaluate evidence, make charging decisions, and determine when a case should be dismissed, diverted, or reduced. He understands what makes the State confident in its case and, just as importantly, where weaknesses may exist. Identifying and using those weaknesses can make a critical difference in the outcome of a criminal case.
That insight is backed by a record clients can rely on. Across more than 15 years and 1,000+ cases, Brian has earned a 10.0 Avvo rating and a Client’s Choice Award, recognition from Expertise.com as a Best DUI & Criminal Defense Lawyer, and has been featured on NBC 8 Tampa. Just as important, he handles your case personally from first call to final resolution, giving you the preparation, the direct access, and the straight answers you deserve when your future is on the line. Your worst day should not define the rest of your life, and the sooner the right advocate is in your corner, the more can be done to protect it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a criminal defense attorney for a first offense in Hillsborough County?
Yes. Even a first misdemeanor can create a permanent record, and Florida DUI convictions can never be sealed or expunged. A former prosecutor can often find grounds for dismissal, diversion, or reduced charges that are hard to recover once you plead.
How long do I have to save my license after a DUI arrest in Tampa?
Ten days. You must request a formal review hearing with the DHSMV Bureau of Administrative Reviews within 10 days of arrest, or your administrative suspension begins on day 11.
Can a Hillsborough County DUI be reduced to reckless driving?
Often, yes. Eligible first-time offenders may qualify for the county’s RIDR program, which can reduce a DUI to reckless driving upon completion of its requirements. Eligibility depends on your specific facts.
What is the BAC limit for a DUI in Florida?
0.08% for adult drivers, 0.04% for commercial drivers, and 0.02% for drivers under 21. A reading of 0.15% or higher triggers enhanced penalties.
Where are criminal cases heard in Hillsborough County?
Most cases are heard at the George E. Edgecomb Courthouse in downtown Tampa, with some at the Plant City Courthouse. DUI breath testing is handled at Central Breath Testing near the Orient Road Jail.
How much does a criminal defense attorney cost in Tampa?
It depends on the charge and complexity, but the initial consultation at Brian Palacios Law is always free, so you understand your options before committing.
Talk to a Hillsborough County Criminal Defense Attorney Today
An arrest is not a conviction, and the charges against you are only the State’s version of events until someone stands up and challenges them. That is the work Brian Palacios has built his career around: defending the presumption of innocence, protecting your constitutional rights, and fighting for the people the system is too quick to treat as guilty. When you call, you reach a former prosecutor who will listen without judgment, tell you honestly where you stand, and go to work for you right away. Whatever you are facing in Hillsborough County, you do not have to face it alone, and the clock is already running.
Reach out to Brian Palacios Law today for a free, confidential consultation, available 24/7 – call (813) 461-3457.
Client Testimonials
Representing clients across Tampa Bay in DUI, criminal, and auto accident cases.
Tampa’s Top Criminal Defense Attorney
Based in Tampa Bay, our firm focuses on criminal defense across Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco, and Polk Counties, representing clients in Tampa, St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Brandon, Riverview, Wesley Chapel, Lutz, Odessa, Plant City, and Apollo Beach.
Whether you’re dealing with a first-time DUI, license suspension, or multiple-offense charges, Brian Palacios Law provides experienced representation and the insight of a former prosecutor to protect your rights, your record, and your future.
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“As a former State Prosecutor, I’ve been on both sides of the courtroom and have a deep understanding of what my clients are going through. I put that experience to work for them every day.”
