At Thomas & Paulk, P.A. we have noticed an increasing number of people arrested when clearing customs in the United States. Due to ever increasing border security and better verification of identity at the border, customs officials are discovering many more arrest warrants than in previous years. In fact, we often find that clients are unaware that they have a warrant until informed by Customs and Border Protection Officers. Often, these warrants can be very old. We have had clients arrested at the border on warrants that are over twenty years old. Returning to the United States and being immediately arrested and taken to jail is a terrible way to end a cruise or vacation.
Many times when a client finds they have an old arrest warrant, we determine that it is for failure to appear on a criminal charge. For example, many years ago a client may have written a bad check and then moved prior to getting notice of the court date. As a result, the court issued a warrant when the client did not appear in court. If the client has no contact with law enforcement, this warrant can stay active for years. Then the client decides to take a cruise or international vacation. When they return to Florida, the list of passengers on the cruise is checked by Customs and Border Protection Officers and the warrant is discovered. When the client returns, they are met by law enforcement and arrested on the warrant. If the warrant has no bond, they will be held in jail until they are taken to the county where the warrant was issued.
Obviously, you do not want to find yourself in the above situation. If you are planning on taking an international trip arriving in Florida, but you have an active warrant for your arrest, you need to take steps to resolve the warrant before your trip. A Tampa criminal defense attorney at Thomas & Paulk, P.A. can help you get your case in front of the court that issued the warrant before your trip so that your vacation does not end in an arrest. If your family member was arrested after returning to the United States, you should immediately contact an attorney at Thomas & Paulk. We can research the warrant and inform you of what steps need to be taken to resolve the case. If you have an arrest warrant from Hillsborough, Pinellas, Polk, or Pasco County contact Thomas & Paulk today for a confidential and free consultation.
Many times we find that a client missed court because they did not receive proper notice of the court date. When we discover this is the reason why you did not appear in court, we can file a motion with the court. We then present evidence in court that you did not willingly fail to appear. If the court finds that you did not receive notice for your court date, the court can withdraw the warrant for your arrest.
If you did have notice of your court date but failed to appear for another reason, a Tampa criminal defense attorney at Thomas & Paulk can still help you try to get your warrant resolved. We can get your case before the court and explain the reason that you missed the court date and request the court withdraw your warrant. It is important that the court know that you are ready to appear in court to face your charges. If you wait until after you have been arrested on the outstanding warrant, it is always more difficult to explain your reason for missing court and argue that you are ready to face the consequences. It may also take several days or weeks for your case to get before the court if you are arrested on your warrant.
A warrant may also be issued for your arrest if there is an alleged violation of probation. If you are on probation and your probation officer has filed a violation of probation affidavit with the court, a warrant will likely be issued for you arrest. In these cases it is import that you contact one of our lawyers as soon as you become aware of the alleged violation. Most warrants for violation of probation are issued with no bond. If your warrant has no bond, you will be held in jail until your case comes before the judge that issued the warrant. Again, it can take days or weeks for your case to come before the court. At Thomas & Paulk we can help you get a court date set before the judge on your case so that you can resolve the violation as soon as possible. As discussed earlier, it is always better to take steps to show the court that you understand the violation and have taken steps to resolve the situation. Dealing with a violation in this way can also save you the embarrassment of having law enforcement arrest you at home or work.
If you have a warrant for your arrest in Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco or Polk County, contact a Tampa criminal defense lawyer at our office for a confidential and free consultation. We know that having a warrant for you arrest is a stressful situation and we are ready to help you today. Call one of our attorneys at 813-221-4200.
Our client was charged with possession of alcohol by a person under the age of 21 in a nightclub in Ybor City. We argued that the stop of our client was unconstitutional and that any evidence seized from our client should be inadmissible in court. The State agreed and filed a nolle pros ending the case.
If your child has been charged with possession of alcohol or another crime, please do not hesitate to contact a Tampa Juvenile defense attorney at Thomas & Paulk today!
]]>Our client was arrested and charged with DUI with a breath alcohol result of .186/.188. Our client was stopped in channel side exiting the parking garage. We filed a motion to suppress the stop conducted by sheriff deputies. Before the motion hearing, the State agreed to reduce the case to reckless driving for standard probation conditions. Then after our client completed the conditions, we motioned for early termination of his probation. The judge granted the termination even though our client only served two months on supervision.
For experienced DUI defense you can depend on, contact a Tampa DUI lawyer at Thomas & Paulk today!
]]>Our client was charged with the sale of alcohol to a minor. We set the case for trial and at trial the state was unable to establish a prima facia case. The State announced a nolle pros, ending the case.
Facing criminal charges in Tampa? Contact Thomas & Paulk today to schedule a consultation with an experienced Tampa criminal defense attorney!
]]>Our client was on probation for reckless driving and got arrested for a new case of possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia. Before a warrant was placed we set a court date and scheduled a hearing to address the situation. At the hearing we were able to persuade the judge not to execute the violation of probation warrant and take the defendant into custody (jail). After negotiating with the State and the judge, our client's probation for reckless driving was terminated and he was placed on a new term of probation for the drug charges to have an evaluation for treatment, pass three urine screens, and pay court costs.
If you are facing criminal charges, a skilled Tampa criminal defense lawyer at Thomas & Paulk is prepared to work hard on your behalf to get those charges reduced or thrown out completely.
]]>The Tampa theft attorneys at Thomas & Paulk are committed to providing clients throughout Tampa and Hillsborough County with the aggressive criminal defense they need.
Our clients, co-defendant husband and wife, were arrested and charged with grand theft for shoplifting. We negotiated with the state and our clients were allowed to have their case taken from the court system and placed in the pretrial intervention program. Once our clients successfully complete the program all charges will be dismissed and the State will enter a nolle pros. They will also be eligible to have the record of this incident expunged.
If you have been arrested for a theft offense, you can depend on an experienced Tampa criminal defense lawyer at Thomas & Paulk to protect your rights and help you confront your charges head-on!
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Our client was charged with her fourth violation of probation on two felony charges because she tested positive for marijuana on a urine test. Before the defendant was arrested we made a court date and set a hearing before the judge. Even though it was her fourth violation and the judge previously told her she was going to prison for violating, we were able to persuade the judge to continue her probation and the defendant served no time in jail.
If you are facing criminal penalties for violating your probation, you can trust an experienced Tampa criminal defense attorney at Thomas & Paulk to fight aggressively in getting your charges reduced or dismissed!
]]>Our client was arrested and charged by the University of South Florida Police with possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia while in his dorm room. We filed a motion to suppress the officers' illegal entry into the dorm and the legality of the search. At hearing, we were successful and the motion to suppress was granted, making any mention of the drugs or paraphernalia in admissible. The State was forced to drop the case and nolle pros all charges.
Charged with drug possession? Contact a dedicated Tampa drug crimes lawyer at Thomas & Paulk for experienced legal counsel and representation.
]]>Our client, who was out on felony probation from Georgia for possession of marijuana, was arrested in Tampa for possession of marijuana and driving on a suspended license (DWLS). Our client was held on no bond in Hillsborough County jail. We filed a motion to suppress in the new case and were successful in having the State drop the new possession of marijuana charge. We also got the prosecutor to agree to let our client plead no contest to DWLS and for a withhold of adjudication and pay standard court costs. In turn, the Georgia Department of Corrections agreed to not violate our client's probation and our client was released.
Are you searching for experienced drug defense in Tampa? Contact a Tampa drug crimes attorney at Thomas & Paulk for representation you can depend on!
]]>Our client was arrested going through a U.S. Customs check at a cruise line terminal for having an outstanding warrant for a probation violation. We immediately received a court hearing to address the violation. We were successful in keeping our client out of jail. The judge agreed to allow our client 30 days to comply with the violation conditions and upon doing so his probation was continued.
If you are facing criminal repercussions for a probation violation, contact a Tampa criminal attorney at Thomas & Paulk for experienced defense representation!
]]>Our client was arrested and held on no bond for a violation of probation on a felony charge of tampering with a witness and a new felony charge of possession of a controlled substance. The State was seeking incarceration in the Florida state prison for 24 months. We were able to negotiate with the state and the judge allowed our client to complete 9 months of county jail time with credit for time served. Our client will be release with no further probation or conditions.
If you have been arrested on felony charges, you can trust an experienced Tampa criminal defense attorney at Thomas & Paulk to provide you with the aggressive defense you need.
]]>Our client had an outstanding warrant from 2007 for six counts of Uttering a Forged Instrument, one count of grand theft, and one count of depositing the item with intent to defraud. Our client also has a prior felony criminal record. At a bond hearing we got our client released on his own recognizance and he was not required to pay a bond. After negotiation with the State, our client was given 18 month probation with automatic early termination after he paid restitution and completed community service.
If you have found yourself faced with similar charges, please do not hesitate to contact a Tampa criminal defense attorney at Thomas & Paulk for aggressive defense representation.
]]>Our client lives out of state in Texas. He had an outstanding warrant for felony charges for defrauding an inn keeper and worthless check. We negotiated a resolution with the state in which our client was able to make full restitution and the charges were dropped. The state nolle prossed all charges, the warrant was rescinded, and our client did not have to return to Florida.
If you need help fighting criminal charges in Tampa or Hillsborough County, please do not hesitate to contact a Tampa criminal defense attorney at Thomas & Paulk today!
]]>Our client was arrested and charged with DUI after making a wrong turn onto rail road tracks where his vehicle got stuck. Officers arrived and conducted a DUI investigation where our client was asked to perform field sobriety tests and a breath test. Our client blew a .276 and .261. We were able to negotiate the case down from DUI to reckless driving and probation.
If you are searching for a skilled and dedicated Tampa DUI lawyer to help you fight your charges, contact Thomas & Paulk today!
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