What to Do After Being Arrested in Tampa, Florida: A Step-by-Step Guide

Your actions in the first 24-48 hours after arrest can determine the outcome of your case—here’s how to protect your rights and your future

The Critical Hours After a Tampa Arrest

Getting arrested in Tampa is overwhelming, but your actions in the hours and days that follow can make a major difference in your case. Whether you’re facing misdemeanor charges or serious felonies, the decisions you make immediately after arrest will shape your defense options for months to come.

At The Brancato Law Firm, P.A., we have defended thousands of individuals through the criminal process in Hillsborough County. With over 25 years of experience—including service as Chief Operations Officer of the Hillsborough County Public Defender’s Office—Tampa Attorney Rocky Brancato knows exactly what happens after an arrest and how to protect your rights from the earliest stages.

Step 1: Remain Calm and Exercise Your Right to Silence

After an arrest, the most important thing you can do is remain calm and respectful. Do not resist or argue with law enforcement—doing so can result in additional charges and will never help your case. However, being cooperative does not mean you must answer questions.

You have a constitutional right to remain silent under the Fifth Amendment. Use it. Politely but clearly inform officers: “I am exercising my right to remain silent and would like to speak with an attorney.” Prosecutors routinely twist defendants’ words, and even seemingly innocent statements can be used against you.

Step 2: Contact a Tampa Criminal Defense Attorney Immediately

Early intervention by an experienced criminal defense attorney can have a major impact on your case. The sooner your attorney is involved, the more options are available. Specifically, an attorney can:

• Protect your rights during police questioning
• Negotiate for reasonable bond or release conditions
• Begin gathering evidence and interviewing witnesses before memories fade
• Work to prevent formal charges from being filed
• Identify constitutional violations that could lead to suppression of evidence

At The Brancato Law Firm, we are available to step in as soon as you or a family member calls us. Time is critical—the stronger your defense begins, the better your chances for a favorable outcome.

Step 3: Understand First Appearance and Bond Hearings

If police arrest you in Tampa, they will book you into the Orient Road Jail (for most offenses) or Falkenburg Road Jail (for some misdemeanors and traffic offenses). Under Florida law, a judge must hold your first appearance hearing within 24 hours of arrest.

What Happens at First Appearance

During this hearing, the court will review the charges against you, determine whether there was probable cause for your arrest, and set conditions of release. These conditions may include monetary bond, supervised release, GPS monitoring, no-contact orders, or other restrictions.

Having a skilled Tampa criminal defense attorney present at first appearance can lead to better bond conditions or even release without bond in some cases. Conversely, defendants without representation often face higher bonds and more restrictive conditions.

Tampa Arrest Timeline: What to Expect

Step 4: Avoid Discussing Your Case With Anyone but Your Attorney

Attorney-client privilege is one of the most powerful protections in our legal system—but it only applies to communications with your lawyer. Anything you tell friends, family members, cellmates, or anyone else can be used against you in court.

Prosecutors frequently call cellmates as witnesses, subpoena text messages and social media posts, and use recorded jail phone calls to build their cases. Therefore, until you have spoken with your attorney, avoid discussing the facts of your case with anyone—even people you trust.

Step 5: Begin Preparing Your Defense Immediately

Time is critical after an arrest. Witness memories fade, surveillance footage gets overwritten, physical evidence can be lost or contaminated, and prosecutors begin building their case immediately. An experienced defense team can take action quickly to protect your interests:

• Preserve surveillance footage before it’s deleted (most systems overwrite within 7-30 days)
• Interview critical witnesses while events are fresh in their minds
• Analyze police reports for constitutional violations (illegal searches, Miranda issues)
• Identify weaknesses in the prosecution’s case
• Engage expert witnesses when forensic evidence is involved

At The Brancato Law Firm, we move quickly to build the strongest possible defense. Our firm has extensive experience challenging forensic evidence, police procedures, and witness testimony in Hillsborough County courts.

What Hurts vs. Helps Your Case After Arrest

The Importance of Local Knowledge in Hillsborough County

The Hillsborough County State Attorney’s Office prosecutes crimes in Tampa. Every jurisdiction has its own practices, procedures, and tendencies—knowing the local court system, judges, prosecutors, and typical outcomes is essential to effective defense.

Attorney Rocky Brancato’s extensive experience in Tampa’s courtrooms—including years serving as Chief Operations Officer of the Hillsborough County Public Defender’s Office—provides invaluable insight into how cases are handled locally. This institutional knowledge allows us to navigate the criminal justice system effectively and advocate strategically for our clients.

Step 6: Take Care of Personal Affairs

Depending on the charges you face, criminal cases can last several months or longer. After an arrest, it’s wise to take proactive steps to minimize disruption to your life:

• Arrange for child care or family support if needed
• Notify your employer (where appropriate) about potential court dates
• Avoid any further contact with law enforcement
• Stay completely off social media (prosecutors routinely monitor accounts)
• Comply fully with any bond conditions or court orders

Discuss each of these considerations with your attorney as part of a comprehensive defense strategy.

Frequently Asked Questions: Tampa Arrests

What should I do immediately after being arrested in Tampa?

Remain calm, do not resist, and exercise your constitutional right to remain silent. Politely inform officers that you wish to speak with an attorney before answering any questions. As soon as possible, contact a Tampa criminal defense lawyer to begin protecting your rights and building your defense.

How long can Tampa police hold me before I see a judge?

Under Florida law, you must be brought before a judge for first appearance within 24 hours of your arrest. During this hearing, the judge will review the charges, determine probable cause, and set bond or release conditions. Having an attorney present at first appearance can significantly improve your bond outcome.

Are jail phone calls recorded in Hillsborough County?

Yes. Every phone call from Orient Road Jail and Falkenburg Road Jail is recorded, and prosecutors frequently review these recordings looking for incriminating statements. Never discuss case details, what happened, or your charges during a jail call. Keep conversations brief and focused only on practical matters like securing an attorney or arranging bond.

Can I be released before my first appearance hearing?

For some charges, a bond schedule allows release before first appearance if you can post the specified amount. However, for serious felonies and certain other offenses, you must wait for the judge to set bond at first appearance. An experienced attorney can advise on your options and advocate for reasonable bond conditions.

Should I talk to the police if I’m innocent?

No. Even if you are completely innocent, speaking to police without an attorney present is risky. Innocent statements can be misunderstood, taken out of context, or twisted by prosecutors. Exercise your right to remain silent and let your attorney communicate with law enforcement on your behalf.

How can a Tampa criminal defense attorney help after an arrest?

An experienced criminal defense attorney can protect your rights during questioning, advocate for favorable bond conditions at first appearance, begin investigating your case immediately, identify constitutional violations, challenge the prosecution’s evidence, and work toward dismissal, reduced charges, or acquittal. Early intervention provides the most options.

What is the difference between arrest and formal charges?

An arrest occurs when police take you into custody based on probable cause. However, formal charges are filed later by the State Attorney’s Office after reviewing the evidence. In some cases, the prosecutor may decline to file charges or may file different charges than those listed at arrest. This is one reason early attorney involvement is valuable—we can sometimes influence charging decisions.

How long will my criminal case take in Hillsborough County?

Case duration varies significantly depending on the charges, complexity, and whether the case goes to trial. Simple misdemeanors may resolve in weeks to months, while serious felonies can take a year or longer. Your attorney can provide a more specific timeline after reviewing the facts of your case.

Related:

• Tampa Criminal Defense Attorney – Full-service criminal defense
• Navigating the Hillsborough County Criminal Arrest Process
• 5 Ways an Experienced DUI Lawyer Protects You
• Mistakes to Avoid After a DUI Arrest