Tampa Criminal Defense Lawyers - Sammis Law Firm

06/05/2026

This month we’re covering some of the biggest legal issues facing Florida, including recreational ma*****na, gun rights, social media restrictions, and the ongoing litigation surrounding Alligator Alcatraz. We also highlight a recent Stand Your Ground success story, answer a common legal question about motions to suppress, and share one of the most rewarding stories we’ve been a part of this year: a young man who successfully completed Juvenile Court, graduated high school, and is now headed to Florida A&M University to pursue a degree in Chemical Engineering.

At Sammis Law Firm, we believe criminal defense is about more than court appearances and legal arguments. It’s about protecting rights, creating opportunities, and helping people move forward.

We hope you enjoy this month's issue of the Tampa Defense Report. If there is a legal topic you’d like us to cover in a future edition, let us know in the comments.

06/03/2026

Your child gets called to the office over something that happened at school, or even off campus, and a week later you're sitting in a hearing that could change where they go to school.

It happens faster than most parents expect, and by the time families call us, the hearing date is often days away.

Here's what catches parents off guard: a school disciplinary case is not a criminal case. The school can suspend, expel, or move a student to a different placement even when no charges are ever filed, and that decision can shadow a student long after the incident is forgotten, into college admissions, and sometimes into a career.

A few things worth knowing before a hearing:

The process has rules, and schools don't always follow them. A documented history of bullying, or an IEP or 504 plan that wasn't followed before discipline was imposed, can change the entire picture.

This isn't just a high school issue. College brings its own version of this. University conduct boards are coming down hard on the big-ticket issues right now, academic integrity and cheating accusations, fraternity and sorority hazing, drugs on campus, and underage drinking, and a single finding can mean suspension, loss of housing, or expulsion.

What you do before the hearing matters most. The families who do best are usually the ones who got advice early and walked in organized, not the ones who showed up to argue.

We represent students and families in expulsion, change of placement, disciplinary reassignment, threat assessment, and college conduct matters throughout Hillsborough County and the greater Tampa Bay area, including Pinellas and Pasco.

Early involvement matters. Watch the video below, and if your child is facing a hearing, you can speak directly with an attorney.

Call (813) 250-0500
Sammis Law Firm, Tampa, FL

This post is general information, not legal advice.

School disciplinary hearings move quickly, and parents are often ca...

05/07/2026

Injunction cases in Florida move fast, and many people do not realize how serious the consequences can be until a temporary injunction has already been entered against them.

A lot of individuals believe they can simply appear at the hearing and explain their side of the story, but these hearings often involve evidence issues, procedural rules, witnesses, text messages, and legal strategy that can significantly affect the outcome.

In this video, attorney Joshua Monteiro discusses:
• Temporary injunction hearings
• Motions to continue and motions to dismiss
• Discovery and evidence issues
• Civil no-contact agreements
• Common mistakes people make when handling these cases alone

If you or someone you know is dealing with an injunction matter in Florida, understanding the process early can make a significant difference.

Take a look at the video below.

In this video, Florida criminal defense attorney Joshua Monteiro discusses injunction cases in Florida, including what happens after a temporary injunction i...

04/23/2026

Another great year with the Sammis Law Firm sponsored Robinson Knights Mock Trial Team. We wrapped up our final meeting of the year the best way we know how, around a table together reflecting on the hard work, growth, and dedication these students have shown all season.

Every year we give them the option to pick anywhere they want to celebrate… and every year they choose The Cheesecake Factory. We are still working on expanding their palates, but traditions are traditions.

Proud of this group and excited to see what they accomplish next. The future of the legal profession is in good hands.

04/17/2026

Risk Protection Orders, often referred to as “red flag laws,” can have immediate and serious consequences in Florida, including the loss of firearm rights.

Many people are surprised by how quickly these orders can be issued and how the process works once a temporary order is in place.

In this video, we break down what a Risk Protection Order is, how it affects your rights, and what to expect if you are facing one.

Risk Protection Orders in Florida and Firearm Rights What You Need to Know

12/24/2025

This holiday season, we want to take a moment to say thank you to the incredible people who keep Sammis Law Firm moving every single day.

Our staff, paralegals, and secretaries are the backbone of what we do. So much of their work happens behind the scenes, and just as often they are taking the reins, solving problems before they ever reach us, keeping us organized, grounded, and more than a few times, keeping us out of trouble.

We simply could not serve our clients or our community at the level we do without their dedication, patience, and professionalism.

As we celebrate together, we are reminded that the strength of this firm is not just in the courtroom, but in the people who show up every day and make it all possible.

We are truly grateful for each and every one of you.

12/24/2025

Proud to support our community this holiday season. Sammis Law Firm was honored to sponsor the Holiday Tour, an incredible event that continues to shine a light on locally owned businesses and the meaningful contributions they make to Tampa Bay. A huge thank you to Tea And Conversation With Candy Lowe for her consistent leadership and dedication in organizing these tours and creating real opportunities for small businesses to be seen, supported, and celebrated.

Attorney Josh Monteiro and Attorney Jocelyn Dobson-Rodriguez were proud to represent Sammis Law Firm at the event, which brought together local business owners, community leaders, judges, and public servants, including many local figures and candidates seeking nomination, as well as Lisa Mclean Hillsborough County Public Defender's Office. We remain committed to supporting initiatives that strengthen our community, uplift local businesses, and invest in the people who make this city thrive.

12/24/2025

We are proud to share an update to our earlier announcement and to officially congratulate Jocelyn Dopson-Rodriguez on her confirmation by the Florida Senate to serve on the Florida A and M University Board of Trustees.

Jocelyn’s appointment has now completed the full confirmation process, reflecting the confidence placed in her leadership, judgment, and commitment to public service. As a proud FAMU alumna and a dedicated criminal defense attorney at Sammis Law Firm, she brings both professional excellence and a deep personal connection to the university she now serves.

We look forward to Jocelyn’s continued service through the remainder of her current term, which runs through January 6, 2026, and we are hopeful that this will be the beginning of a long and impactful tenure in service to her alma mater and to the State of Florida.

https://www.flsenate.gov/media/VideoPlayer/5819

10/10/2025

✨ Veterans Treatment Court Success ✨

Today, attorneys with Sammis Law Firm proudly celebrated the successful graduation of one of our clients from Veterans Treatment Court.

It’s always an honor to represent those facing difficult moments—but it’s an even greater privilege to stand beside our nation’s veterans, helping them through a process that could have jeopardized their careers, families, and futures.

Thanks to the hard work and dedication of Attorney Dominique Celerin and Attorney Josh Monteiro our client completed the program and is now moving forward with a clean slate and renewed purpose.

At Sammis Law Firm, we believe that those who have served deserve advocacy, understanding, and a second chance. We’re proud to help make that possible. 🇺🇸

08/21/2025

The Institute for Justice (IJ) and Sammis Law Firm, just won an appeal in the 11th Circuit. Attorney Jason Sammis represented the client at the trial level when he took this very small civil asset forfeiture case involving $8,500 seized by DEA at the Atlanta Airport.

Jason took the case because the seizure seemed particularly unfair and unlawful. The Assistant United States Attorney (AUSA) wouldn't give up and forced him to file a motion to suppress and a motion for summary judgment. On the eve of the suppression hearing, the AUSA filed a motion to dismiss. When you "substantially prevail," the federal CAFRA statute says the Court "shall" order the government to pay the reasonable attorney fees and costs, which were just over $15,000, but the judge denied the motion.

We contacted the Institute for Justice, which took the appeal, and Jason Sammis was co-counsel on the appeal. The 11th Circuit Agreed. You can read the opinion here:https://media.ca11.uscourts.gov/opinions/unpub/files/202310971.pdf

Read the press release on IJ's website:

https://ij.org/press-release/georgia-veteran-wins-fight-to-get-back-every-dollar-wrongly-seized-by-dea-at-the-atlanta-airport/