Tampa Criminal Defense Lawyers - Sammis Law Firm

10/05/2026

Big news at Sammis Law Firm. 🎉

Katherine "Katie" Aranda is our newest Managing Partner! A former Assistant Public Defender in Pinellas County, Katie has spent her career standing beside people during the most consequential moments of their lives. Congratulations, Katie. This one is well earned.

Swipe through the October issue of the Tampa Defense Report for her story, plus:

⚖️ A DUI success story from our Orange County team
⚖️ Why "they never read me my rights" rarely gets a case dismissed
⚖️ New Florida laws on AI-generated images, social media and gang membership, Veterans Treatment Court, and driving without a license

Facing a charge or know someone who is? Call us at (813) 250-0500 for a free consultation.

09/28/2026

Sammis Law Firm attorneys Josh Monteiro and Ricky De Lucca spent a couple of days in Orlando at FACDL’s 2026 Blood, Breath & Tears seminar, continuing to sharpen our DUI defense skills.

DUI defense is constantly evolving. New case law, new technology, changes in breath testing, drug recognition evidence, blood testing, field sobriety exercises, and even AI are changing how these cases are investigated and defended. This year’s program covered all of it, including the Intoxilyzer 9000 coming to Florida.

At Sammis Law Firm, staying on top of those changes isn’t optional. Our clients expect us to know not only what the law says today, but also what’s coming next and how to use it in the courtroom.

Of course, not ALL continuing legal education happens in a classroom. 😂

The seminar also included a Wet Lab with Field Sobriety Exercises. Because apparently someone decided the best way to educate a room full of DUI defense attorneys was to give people alcohol and then have them attempt roadside exercises while a bunch of other DUI lawyers watch and critique their performance.

What could possibly go wrong? 😂

Always learning. Always improving. Always looking for another way to defend our clients.

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 fi***rm 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 Fi***rm Rights What You Need to Know