Handling Misdemeanor Cases
Effective defense for misdemeanor charges to protect your record. Serving Tampa, Hillsborough County, and all of Florida.
Small Charge,
Big Consequences
Protect Your Record
Even a "minor" misdemeanor in Tampa creates a permanent criminal record that can surface on job and housing checks. We fight to keep your record clean.
Diversion & Dismissal
Many misdemeanors qualify for diversion programs that end in dismissal. We pursue resolutions that avoid a conviction whenever possible.
Efficient Representation
You should not have to put your life on hold. We handle court appearances and paperwork so a misdemeanor case disrupts you as little as possible.
Don't Let a Misdemeanor
Follow You
A misdemeanor conviction in Tampa is still a criminal conviction — one that can affect jobs, licenses, and housing for years. It is worth defending properly.
Your Defense Process
We handle the legal fight so you can focus on your life, your family, and your future.
Confidential Case Review
Your first consultation with HOV Law is free and confidential. We review your arrest, the exact misdemeanor defense charges, the evidence against you, and any constitutional issues in how it was gathered — then map out your options.
Investigation & Discovery
We obtain the police report, body-cam and dash-cam footage, witness statements, and lab or test results, and scrutinize every step for illegal stops, searches, or procedural errors that can weaken the State's case in Tampa.
Motions & Negotiation
Where the facts support it, we file motions to suppress evidence or dismiss the case, and negotiate with the Hillsborough County State Attorney's Office for reduced charges, diversion, or dismissal before trial.
Trial Defense
If the State will not offer a fair resolution, we are ready to try your case. HOV Law prepares every misdemeanor defense matter for trial before a Hillsborough County jury, and that readiness is often what drives a better outcome.
Tampa Misdemeanor Lawyer — Keeping Your Record Clean
It is easy to treat a misdemeanor as no big deal — but a conviction in Tampa creates a permanent criminal record that can quietly cost you jobs, apartments, and professional licenses for years. Under Florida law, misdemeanors are punishable by up to a year in county jail, plus fines and probation.
HOV Law defends misdemeanor charges throughout Hillsborough County — petit theft, disorderly conduct, trespassing, possession, traffic misdemeanors, and more — with the same care we bring to felonies. Often, the goal is a resolution that keeps a conviction off your record entirely.
Free consultation — call today.
Florida Misdemeanor Penalties
- Florida divides misdemeanors into two degrees:
- First-degree misdemeanor—Up to 1 year in county jail, up to 1 year of probation, and a fine of up to $1,000. Examples include petit theft, simple battery, and DUI.
- Second-degree misdemeanor—Up to 60 days in jail, up to 6 months of probation, and a fine of up to $500. Examples include disorderly conduct and simple trespass.
- A conviction—even without jail — becomes part of your permanent record unless it is later sealed or expunged.
Diversion, Withheld Adjudication, and a Clean Record
The best outcome in many misdemeanor cases is avoiding a conviction altogether. In Tampa, several paths can help: pretrial diversion programs that dismiss the charge on completion; a "withhold of adjudication," where the court withholds a formal conviction; and, later, sealing or expunging an eligible record.
These options can preserve your ability to honestly say you were not convicted on many applications. We evaluate which path fits your case and pursue it aggressively, so a single mistake does not follow you for life.
Why Misdemeanors Still Deserve a Real Defense
- Background checks—Employers and landlords routinely see misdemeanor convictions.
- Licensing—Nursing, teaching, real estate, and other licenses can be jeopardized by a conviction.
- Immigration—Even minor offenses can carry immigration consequences for non-citizens.
- Escalation—A conviction now can enhance the penalties if you are ever charged again. Defending it properly in Tampa protects your future.
Related Practice Areas in Tampa
Misdemeanor Defense charges often overlap with other criminal allegations. Our Tampa defense attorneys also handle these related areas:
Other Criminal Defense Services in Tampa
Also serving Tampa for Personal Injury:
Serge Hovhanessian, Esq.
Founding Attorney at HOV Law | Florida Bar | Million Dollar Advocates Forum | Top 40 Under 40 Trial Lawyers
Attorney Hovhanessian defends the accused across Florida — protecting your rights, your record, and your freedom.Read full bio →
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Tampa Misdemeanor Defense FAQs
Is it worth hiring a lawyer for a misdemeanor in Tampa?
Yes. A misdemeanor conviction is permanent and can affect jobs, housing, and licenses. A defense attorney can often get charges reduced, dismissed, or resolved through diversion — outcomes that are much harder to reach on your own.
Can a misdemeanor be dismissed in Florida?
Frequently. Depending on the evidence and your history, misdemeanors can be dismissed outright or through a diversion program that ends in dismissal. We evaluate every option to protect your record.
Will a misdemeanor show up on a background check?
Yes. A misdemeanor conviction becomes part of your permanent criminal record and can appear on employment and housing checks unless you later qualify to seal or expunge it.
What is a "withhold of adjudication"?
It is a resolution where the court withholds a formal conviction, often with probation. In many cases it lets you avoid the label of "convicted" and may preserve eligibility to seal the record. We pursue it where appropriate.
Do I have to go to jail for a misdemeanor?
Not usually. While first-degree misdemeanors carry up to a year in jail, many cases — especially first offenses — resolve with probation, a diversion program, or dismissal. We fight to keep you out of jail.
Can I get my misdemeanor record sealed or expunged?
Possibly. Florida allows sealing or expungement of certain records if you meet the eligibility rules. Call HOV Law at (407) 801-0101 and we can advise whether your case may qualify.
Charged With a Misdemeanor in
Tampa?
A misdemeanor is not too small to fight. Contact HOV Law for a free consultation with a Tampa misdemeanor defense attorney.