ST PETERSBURG CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEY
Aggressively Fighting for the Best Possible Outcome
ST PETERSBURG CRIMINAL DEFENSE
Experienced Criminal Lawyer Serving Pinellas County, Florida
If you’re facing criminal charges, choosing the right St. Petersburg criminal defense attorney can significantly impact the outcome of your case. At Buda Law, we provide trusted, aggressive criminal defense in St. Petersburg and throughout Pinellas County, including Clearwater, Largo, Pinellas Park, Dunedin, Tarpon Springs, Seminole, and other surrounding communities.
With valuable experience as a former state prosecutor, attorney Andrew Buda understands how the criminal justice system works from both sides. He’s seen how the state attorney’s office builds cases and pushes for convictions, and now he uses that insight to defend you. As your criminal defense attorney, he can spot weaknesses in the prosecution’s case, challenge evidence, and build a strong defense that protects your rights.
When you’re up against criminal charges in St. Petersburg, Florida, you need a knowledgeable criminal defense lawyer by your side. Call Buda Law at (813) 322-2832 or contact us online to schedule your free initial consultation today.
Why Choose Buda Law for Your St Petersburg Criminal Defense Attorney?
When you choose Buda Law, you’re choosing a Florida criminal defense lawyer with real courtroom experience and a strong commitment to protecting your rights. Andrew Buda is a former assistant state attorney who now defends people accused of crimes across Pinellas County, including St. Petersburg, Clearwater, and nearby areas.
At our criminal defense firm, you won’t get a one-size-fits-all approach. We create personalized legal strategies designed around your situation, always keeping your best interests in mind. From DUI charges to white-collar crimes, we have handled numerous cases with proven results.
The Advantage of Working With a Former Prosecutor
Working with a former prosecutor gives you a strong advantage when facing a criminal conviction. Attorney Andrew Buda spent years as a state prosecutor handling a wide range of criminal cases for the state attorney’s office. Now, as a St. Petersburg criminal defense attorney, he uses that same experience to defend your rights. He knows how the legal system works, how prosecutors think, and what they look for when deciding how to handle a case. This inside knowledge helps our criminal defense law firm develop creative strategies and push for the best possible outcome in your case.
Whether you’re dealing with felony charges, probation violations, or other serious criminal offenses, having a defense attorney who understands both sides of the criminal justice system can make a real difference in protecting your future.
Handling Everything From DUI Defense to Domestic Violence & Beyond
At Buda Law, we provide trusted legal services to individuals facing criminal charges in St. Petersburg and the surrounding communities. Our practice primarily focuses on criminal law, and we are committed to protecting our clients’ rights throughout every step of the legal process. In the sections below, you’ll learn more about the different criminal cases we handle and how our legal team works to defend you.
St Petersburg DUI Attorney
If you’ve been arrested for drunk driving or refusing a breath test in St. Petersburg, it’s important to contact a Florida DUI defense attorney as soon as possible. Florida law carries harsh penalties for driving under the influence, including fines, license suspension, and even jail time.
At Buda Law, we handle cases involving underage DUIs, first-offense DUIs, and repeat DUI arrests. Whether you were in a crash that caused property damage, bodily injury, or are up against serious DUI manslaughter charges, we will build a strong defense focused on protecting your rights and minimizing the legal consequences.
Even if your license was suspended for refusing a breathalyzer test, we will challenge the suspension and work to preserve your driving privileges. In many cases, we can help you apply for a hardship license so you can continue to get to work or school while your case is pending. Whether you’re facing misdemeanor or felony DUI charges, our St. Petersburg criminal defense firm is ready to stand by your side.
St Petersburg Drug Crime Defense
Drug charges in Florida can carry severe penalties, and having a skilled St Petersburg drug crime lawyer is the first step toward protecting your rights and your future. We represent clients in Pinellas County who have been accused of crimes like drug possession, drug trafficking, drug manufacturing, or marijuana cultivation. We also defend clients accused of prescription fraud, such as illegally obtaining prescription medications or using false prescriptions.
No matter what drug charges you’re facing, we focus on building a strong defense that fits your specific situation. Every case matters to us, and we work hard to secure the best possible outcome for you.
St Petersburg Violent Crime Lawyer
Violent crime charges are taken seriously and can result in harsh consequences if you’re convicted. You may be facing long prison sentences, a permanent criminal record, and damage to your job, relationships, and future opportunities. These charges can also carry social stigma that follows you long after the case is over. That’s why having the right violent crimes lawyer in Florida is so important.
At Buda Law, we represent clients in a wide range of criminal cases involving violent offenses. Whether you’ve been accused of assault and battery, charged with domestic violence, or are under investigation for more serious allegations like manslaughter or homicide, our team is prepared to step in and defend you. We also handle cases involving aggravated battery, child abuse, kidnapping, and other violent offenses.
As a former prosecutor, Andrew Buda understands how the state attorney’s office handles violent crimes. He knows what to expect and how to challenge the evidence being used against you. In some cases, Florida’s Stand Your Ground law may apply, allowing us to argue that you acted in self-defense and should not be held criminally responsible.
We take time to understand your side of the story and work tirelessly to reduce the charges against you, helping to avoid a criminal conviction.
St Petersburg Sex Crimes Defense Attorney
Being accused of a sex crime can turn your life upside down. The penalties in Florida are extremely harsh, and even just an accusation can seriously harm your reputation. As your St Petersburg sex crimes lawyer, Andrew Buda knows what’s at stake and will aggressively fight to protect your rights and your future.
Our experienced defense team handles serious cases involving crimes such as sexual battery, statutory rape, lewd and lascivious behavior, and child pornography. We know these charges require a skilled and strategic approach because they often involve sensitive circumstances and emotional testimony. We carefully examine all the evidence, questioning the credibility of witnesses and ensuring that your side of the story is clearly heard.
If you’re facing sex crime charges and the possibility of mandatory sex offender registration in Florida, we will vigorously defend you and strive to achieve the best possible resolution.
St Petersburg Theft Crimes & Property Crimes
If you’ve been arrested or are under investigation for a theft or property crime in St. Petersburg, the legal consequences can be serious. You may be facing jail time, fines, probation, and a permanent criminal record. These charges can also impact your job, housing, and reputation.
At Buda Law, we represent people in Pinellas County who are accused of theft-related and property crimes, from criminal mischief, shoplifting, and petit theft to more serious offenses like grand theft and burglary. If you’ve been charged with robbery or armed robbery, we know how to build a strong defense and challenge the evidence against you. We also defend clients accused of identity theft, fraud, and arson, crimes that often involve complex details and harsh penalties.
Our property and theft crime defense lawyers in St Petersburg will explain your legal options, answer your questions, and fight for the best outcome, whether that means getting the charges reduced or dismissed altogether.
St Petersburg White Collar Crimes
Financial criminal investigations often move quickly and quietly, sometimes before you even realize you’re a target. Charges involving embezzlement, wire fraud, money laundering, or certain cyber crimes in Florida can lead to aggressive prosecution, detailed audits of your finances, and serious penalties. These cases often involve both state and federal authorities, and the stakes are high.
As a white collar crime lawyer in St Petersburg, Andrew Buda brings firsthand knowledge from his time as a former prosecutor. Whether your case involves suspicious financial transactions, misused business accounts, or online activity under review, our legal team will thoroughly investigate the facts and challenge any overreach or assumptions made by the prosecution.
St Petersburg Gun Crimes Lawyer
Gun crime charges in Florida are taken seriously, even if no one was hurt. Simply possessing or using a firearm in the wrong way can lead to severe penalties, including prison time and the loss of firearm rights. Our legal team defends against charges such as possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, carrying a concealed weapon without a permit, and use of a firearm during the commission of a crime. As your trusted Florida weapons and firearms lawyer, we focus on reviewing how the arrest was made, whether your rights were violated, and whether the evidence can be disputed. Our goal is to reduce the charges, keep you out of jail, and protect your future.
St Petersburg Juvenile Criminal Defense Lawyer
When a child or teenager is charged with a crime, the entire family feels the impact. In St. Petersburg, juvenile offenses can carry severe consequences that impact a young person’s education, future job prospects, and even their freedom.
St Petersburg juvenile defense attorney Andrew Buda helps families handle a wide range of juvenile offenses, including underage drinking, curfew violations, theft, and even drug possession. While these may seem like minor issues, they can result in probation, detention, and a juvenile record that follows your child into adulthood.
Keeping a young person’s record clean is one of our top priorities. A juvenile record can limit college admissions, scholarships, and future career opportunities. Our criminal defense law firm fights to keep these cases in juvenile court when possible, seeks reduced penalties, and pushes for outcomes that allow your child to learn from the situation without it affecting the rest of their life.
St Petersburg Federal Criminal Defense Attorney
Some criminal cases go beyond the state level and are prosecuted in federal court. These cases are often more serious, involve larger investigations, and carry harsher penalties. A crime may become a federal case if it crosses state lines, involves federal agencies, or breaks federal laws. At Buda Law, we defend clients facing RICO charges, which are often used in cases of organized crime, conspiracy, or ongoing criminal activity. We also defend clients accused of human trafficking, a charge that carries long prison sentences and significant social consequences. These cases are typically handled by federal prosecutors and investigated by agencies such as the FBI, DEA, or Homeland Security.
Federal criminal charges require an aggressive, strategic defense. As a Florida federal crimes lawyer, Andrew Buda understands the federal legal system and works to protect your rights from the start. He will examine how the investigation was handled, review the evidence, and build a defense focused on reducing charges or avoiding a criminal conviction altogether.
The Criminal Justice Process in Pinellas County
Being arrested in Pinellas County can be overwhelming, especially if you’ve never been through the criminal justice process before. Our law firm will guide you through every stage so you’re never left wondering what happens next. Our goal is to protect your rights, defend your freedom, and help you make informed decisions at every step.
The process begins with an arrest and booking, during which your personal information is recorded, and you may be detained in jail. Shortly after, you’ll appear before a judge at your initial appearance. At this hearing, the judge will review the charges, determine if there is probable cause, and decide whether you’ll be released or held in pre-trial detention in Pinellas County. We work to secure your release as quickly as possible and challenge any decision that’s unfair or unsupported.
Next comes the arraignment, where you enter a plea of guilty, not guilty, or no contest. A St. Petersburg criminal defense lawyer will explain your options clearly and help you make the choice that serves your best interests. During the pre-trial phase, we can file legal motions, such as requests to suppress evidence, and negotiate with the state attorney’s office to reduce or dismiss charges. Our legal team reviews all the facts, identifies any weaknesses in the prosecution’s case, and explores every possible defense.
If your case goes to trial, we’re fully prepared. We build your defense by examining the evidence, questioning witnesses, and developing a strong courtroom strategy focused on protecting your rights and reputation. Even after the trial, we’re still in your corner. Whether it’s filing post-trial motions, pursuing an appeal, or working to reduce your sentence, we don’t stop fighting for your rights.
What To Do If You’ve Been Arrested in St. Petersburg
If you’ve been arrested in St. Petersburg, Florida or anywhere in Pinellas County, it’s essential to stay calm and take the proper steps to protect yourself. First, do not talk to the police without a criminal defense attorney present—anything you say can be used against you. Avoid answering questions about the legal issue and politely inform officers that you wish to speak with your lawyer. If you have any evidence that may help your case, such as text messages, photos, or videos, make sure to keep it. Also, write down the names and contact information of any witnesses who may have seen what happened.
Most importantly, contact Buda Law right away. Our legal team will help you understand your rights, guide you through the next steps, and protect you from making mistakes that could hurt your case.
Facing Criminal Charges in St. Petersburg? Call a Pinellas County Criminal Defense Attorney at Buda Law Today
When you’re facing criminal charges in St. Petersburg, FL, you need a strong advocate who will fight for your rights and your future. At Buda Law, we are committed to providing honest legal advice, personalized attention, and aggressive defense strategies tailored to your situation. Whether you’re under investigation or already charged, St. Petersburg criminal defense attorney Andrew Buda is ready to help.
Call our law office at (813) 322-2832 or reach out online to schedule your free consultation with an experienced St Petersburg criminal defense lawyer today.
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WHAT MAKES OUR DEFENSE SO EFFECTIVE?
- Former State Prosecutor
- Highly Responsive & Accessible
- Result-Oriented Advocacy
- We Prepare Every Case as if it's Going to Trial
- Personal Representation Centered Around You
- Exceptional Negotiator