Pinellas County Criminal Defense Experts

Countywide Defense From an Attorney Who Knows the Local System

If you need a criminal defense attorney in Pinellas County, you want someone who has spent years inside the local court system - not just passing through it. Pinellas County is one of the most densely populated counties in Florida, home to a diverse collection of communities ranging from busy coastal corridors to established residential neighborhoods in cities like Largo, Dunedin, Seminole, Pinellas Park, Safety Harbor, and Tarpon Springs. A criminal charge in any of these communities flows through the same county court system, and understanding how that system operates is a decisive advantage.
R. Curtis Murtha, PA has practiced criminal defense in Pinellas County for more than two decades, building on direct experience as a former Assistant State Attorney and Lead Trial Attorney right here in the county. We handled felony and misdemeanor prosecutions before transitioning to defense work, which means we understand how the State Attorney's Office evaluates cases, assigns resources, and makes strategic decisions. That inside perspective now benefits every client we defend across the county.

Defending Every Type of Criminal Charge Across the County

Criminal cases in Pinellas County arise from circumstances as varied as the communities themselves. A DUI stop along US 19, a domestic dispute in a residential neighborhood, drug charges stemming from an investigation in any of the county's municipalities, or a theft allegation at a commercial center - each case involves specific facts, specific police conduct, and specific legal standards that must be satisfied before a conviction can occur. We examine every detail to identify weaknesses in the prosecution's case and build a strategy designed for the strongest possible result.
We defend all criminal matters countywide, including DUI and BUI, domestic battery, drug possession and trafficking, assault and battery, burglary, grand and petit theft, firearm offenses, sex crimes, probation violations, disorderly conduct, obstruction, and white collar crime. Our practice operates as a solo firm by design - every client works directly with their attorney from the initial consultation through bond hearings, pre-trial motions, trial, and post-conviction options like record sealing and expungement. There are no handoffs and no intermediaries.
Take control of your situation by reaching out for a free criminal defense consultation if you are facing charges anywhere in Pinellas County and need an attorney who will treat your case as a priority.

Deep Roots in the Pinellas County Court System

Effective defense in Pinellas County demands more than general legal knowledge. It requires an attorney with specific, long-standing familiarity with the courthouse, the procedures, and the people who shape how cases move through the system.

  • Former Pinellas County Assistant State Attorney and Lead Trial Attorney with prosecution experience in homicide, drug trafficking, sexual battery, robbery, and hundreds of other felony and misdemeanor cases
  • Decades of practice before the Pinellas County courts, with established professional relationships and deep procedural knowledge
  • Member of the Clearwater Bar Association, Pinellas County Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, and Pinellas County Trial Lawyers Association
  • Aggressive motion practice targeting improper stops, unlawful searches, and procedural errors by municipal and county law enforcement agencies throughout Pinellas County
  • Solo practitioner committed to personal case handling, honest assessments, and responsive communication for clients from every corner of the county

A criminal charge does not have to determine your future. If you need a criminal defense attorney with genuine Pinellas County roots and the courtroom skills to fight for your rights, contact us for a free case evaluation today.

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