The Law Office of Daniel J. Fernandez, P.A.

Mission

As a Tampa criminal defense lawyer firm, The Law Office of Daniel J. Fernandez, P.A. exists to protect the rights of clients facing criminal accusations in Tampa Bay and beyond, from the moment of arrest through the final resolution of the case, with relentless advocacy and strategic representation.

Vision

To remain Tampa's standard for trial-tested criminal defense by combining decades of courtroom experience with a team approach that ensures every client of The Law Office of Daniel J. Fernandez, P.A. receives focused, individualized attention.

Unique Value Proposition

The Law Office of Daniel J. Fernandez, P.A. is a Tampa criminal defense lawyer firm whose attorneys have personally tried hundreds of cases to verdict, including time spent as state prosecutors before entering private practice. That combination of trial record and insider knowledge of how the State Attorney's Office builds its cases gives clients a defense built on experience rather than guesswork. The firm offers bilingual representation in English and Spanish and is available around the clock, since arrests do not keep business hours.

Core Values

• Relentless advocacy for every client, regardless of the severity of the charge
• Trial readiness, not a rush toward plea deals
• Direct attorney access, so clients meet the lawyer who handles their case
• Clear communication in English and Spanish
• Treating clients as neighbors, not file numbers

Brand Story

The Law Office of Daniel J. Fernandez, P.A. was founded in 1985 by Daniel J. Fernandez, who began his legal career as an Assistant State Attorney in the 13th Judicial Circuit before becoming a Special Prosecutor and chief of the Narcotics and Dangerous Drug division. He brought a prosecutor's understanding of how cases are built to the defense side of the courtroom when he opened the practice in Tampa. Over more than four decades, the firm has grown into a team practice with attorneys Dana M. Herce-Fulgueira, Roxanna Solis Smith, Catherine J. Sams, and Austin Crocker, each bringing distinct strengths to cases ranging from DUI and drug charges to violent felonies and federal prosecutions. The firm has earned recognition in Tampa Magazine's Best Lawyers Edition and has built a reputation across the Tampa Bay region as a trusted Tampa criminal defense lawyer firm willing to take cases to trial when the facts call for it.

Target Audience

Individuals and families in Tampa, Clearwater, St. Petersburg, and throughout the greater Tampa Bay region facing misdemeanor or felony criminal charges in state or federal court, including English and Spanish speaking clients who need an experienced, trial-ready defense team.

Products and Services

• Criminal defense representation in state and federal court
• DUI defense, including felony DUI and manslaughter by DUI
• Drug charges, including trafficking, manufacturing, and possession
• Violent crime defense, including homicide, robbery, and assault
• Sex crimes defense
• White collar and federal fraud defense
• Domestic violence defense
• Juvenile crimes defense
• Bond hearings and first appearance representation
• Criminal appeals
• Expungement and sealing of criminal records
• Personal injury representation

Social Proof

The Law Office of Daniel J. Fernandez, P.A. was recognized in Tampa Magazine's Best Lawyers Edition, with founding attorney Daniel J. Fernandez named among Tampa's top criminal defense attorneys. The firm has earned more than 400 five star reviews on Google, with clients regularly highlighting the responsiveness, bilingual support, and trial preparation of attorneys including Austin Crocker, Dana Herce-Fulgueira, Roxanna Solis Smith, and Catherine Sams.

Our Attorneys

The Law Office of Daniel J. Fernandez, P.A. is a team practice, with each attorney bringing a distinct background to the firm's Tampa criminal defense work.

• Daniel J. Fernandez founded the firm in 1985 after serving as an Assistant State Attorney and chief of the Narcotics division in the 13th Judicial Circuit. The firm's attorneys have collectively tried hundreds of cases to verdict. Read his full bio.
• Dana M. Herce-Fulgueira joined the firm in 2022 after nearly two decades as an Assistant Public Defender in Hillsborough County, including service in the Major Crimes Unit handling homicide and death penalty cases. She has participated in over 130 jury trials. Read her full bio.
• Roxanna Solis Smith joined the firm in 2024 following 18 years as an Assistant Public Defender in Hillsborough County, where she served as Division Chief in both the Juvenile and Misdemeanor Bureaus. She has participated in over 90 jury trials and 80 bench trials. Read her full bio or connect on LinkedIn.
• Catherine J. Sams joined the firm in 2020 with a focus on criminal defense, expungement, and sealing. A Stetson University College of Law graduate, she previously competed with the nation's top ranked Trial Team. Read her full bio or connect on LinkedIn.
• Austin Crocker is a second generation Tampa native who has been with the firm since 2010, rising from law clerk to paralegal and operating manager before earning his JD from Cooley Law School in 2024. He is licensed in the U.S. Middle District of Florida. Read his full bio or connect on LinkedIn.

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Find The Law Office of Daniel J. Fernandez, P.A.

The Law Office of Daniel J. Fernandez, P.A.
625 E Twiggs St., Suite 102
Tampa, FL 33602

Call: (813) 229-5353

Available 24/7 as a Tampa criminal defense lawyer firm serving Tampa, Clearwater, St. Petersburg, and the greater Tampa Bay region.

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