- Divorce
- Child Support
- Child Custody and Visitation
- Spousal Support
- Child AbuseChild abuse carries some of the harshest prison terms, and the State Attorney's Office pursues these cases hard. A conviction also means a
- Criminal DefenseIf you have been accused of any type of criminal offense in the St. Petersburg area, it is absolutely necessary to contact a criminal defense attorney immediately. Still not convinced? Here are a few benefits of hiring a St. Petersburg criminal defense lawyer.
- DUI/DWIA: Blood-alcohol concentration (BAC) is the level of alcohol in the bloodstream from drinking alcoholic beverages. BAC readings are used in court as evidence in drunk-driving cases. The most common method of measure is a breath test, although blood and/or urine testing is sometimes done. A result of.08 or higher may establish a presumption of intoxication. The details of the.08 BAC presumption laws vary among the states, but all 50 states have adopted.08 as their official intoxication level, in large part because of a federal threat of otherwise withholding highway funds.
- Traffic ViolationsThe following are criminal "traffic tickets." They are misdemeanor crimes or possibly felony charges. Under Florida law, each of these carries the real possibility of jail (or prison), substantial sanctions against your driver's license and other costly and harsh penalties...
- Sex CrimesTrial lawyer Timothy Hessinger was a long-time prosecutor in the Pinellas County State Attorney's Office. In the Major Crime Division, Mr. Hessinger handled numerous high-profile sex cases — serial rape, child abduction and capital sexual battery, and other sex offenses involving teachers, police officers, clergy, youth organization leaders and others in the public eye or positions of authority.
- Fraud
- RobberyIn these cases we first attempt to impact the charging decision and then, if robbery charges are filed we evaluate the case for all possible defenses (i.e. self defense, witness credibility issues, etc.). If none of these defenses are viable we often pursue a departure from the sentencing guidelines. This involves the presentation of mitigation evidence to the court.
- BurglaryMany people misunderstand this charge. Burglary is defined as entering a car, home or business with the intent to commit a crime therein. You can be charged with burglary for sneaking or breaking into a building even if nothing was stolen.
- White Collar CrimesThe term "white-collar crime" refers to serious but non-violent offenses involving ill-gotten financial gains. White-collar crime defendants are often executives, business owners, professionals or employees who are facing the criminal justice system for the first time in their lives. Usually, they are in the position to access company funds and the allegations involve thousands of dollars, sometimes hundreds of thousands.
- Theft
- MisdemeanorsIf the state attorney files a misdemeanor or felony domestic battery charge, the Domestic Violence Deferred Prosecution Program should be seriously considered.
- Embezzlement
- Drug CrimesThe state of Florida provides harsh penalties for marijuana possession and other drug offenses. With the possibility of prison for even a personal use amount of drugs, and mandatory minimum sentences for a trafficking conviction, you need an aggressive and experienced Pinellas County drug crime defense attorney.
- Assault"Domestic violence" means any assault, aggravated assault, battery, aggravated battery, sexual assault, sexual battery, stalking, aggravated stalking, kidnapping, false imprisonment, or any criminal offense resulting in physical injury or death of one family or household member by another family or household member.
- MurderSo how did Hessinger handle those awful cases for eight years? What effect did it have on his fatherhood? And what will he do if people accused of child murder or abuse ask him to be their lawyer?
- Juvenile CrimesThe juvenile justice system is geared toward rehabilitation rather than punishment. But, your son or daughter may still face severe consequences. Our Florida juvenile law attorney works to soften the consequences and limit the impact on your child's future. If your child is charged with a criminal offense in Pinellas County, Hillsborough County, Pasco County or Manatee County, contact The Law Office of Timothy Hessinger.
- Probation ViolationIgnoring a probation violation could result in an embarrassing arrest or jail time if the judge decides to revoke your probation. The Law Office of Timothy Hessinger in St. Petersburg provides the proactive and knowledgeable representation to put you in the best legal position.
- Identity Theft
- HomicideSometimes, people can suffer from extreme mental infirmities to the extent that they lack the capacity to realize that their actions are “wrong.” Under such circumstances, that person can plead, through his or her attorney, “Not Guilty By Reason of Insanity.” Where this affirmative defense is raised, the State has the burden of proving, beyond a reasonable doubt, that the accused not only committed the offense, but was fully aware that his or her actions were “wrong” at the time it was committed. The insanity defense can also be an effective tool in defending an accused person in homicide cases.
- Arson
- ShopliftingThe taint of a felony conviction can also affect someone if he or she ever appears as a witness in a court proceeding. In Florida, a cross-examining lawyer is always permitted to ask a person who takes the witness stand if he or she has ever been convicted of a felony or a crime involving dishonesty or false statement (examples of crimes involving dishonesty or false statement are petty theft and shoplifting).
- Restraining OrderIn most cases, victims are encouraged to obtain a Restraining Order or Domestic Violence Injunction. The alleged victim will be required to file a sworn affidavit with the clerk's office alleging prior violent behavior and fear of future violence. If a temporary injunction is issued, and most of them are, the sheriff's department will serve a copy of the temporary injunction upon the respondent notifying him of the conditions as well as a court date to appear before a judge.
- KidnappingPolice Academy Instructor: Court Structure, Court Rules, Trial Procedure, Drugs & Controlled Substances, Privileged Communications & Kidnapping, St. Petersburg Junior College, 1996-1998, 2005
- ManslaughterDepending on the particular circumstances of the case, an effective defense may involve the raising of what is called an “ affirmative defense ”, such as justifiable use of deadly force, insanity, or even alibi. For example, a person is legally justified in using deadly force if he or she believes that such force is necessary to prevent death or great bodily harm to themselves or another person. Moreover, under Florida’s Stand Your Ground Law, a person has no duty to retreat if he or she is attacked in any place where he or she has a lawful right to be. Often times, Florida’s Stand Your Ground Law can be an effective tool in defending an accused person on murder or manslaughter charges.
- Internet CrimesWhen you are accused of an Internet crime, you may want to erase your hard drive or talk your way out of your crime. Doing either of these things can lead to greater consequences. An attorney can help you fight the allegations against you and protect your legal rights throughout the government investigation, negotiations and trial.
- Prostitution
- Hit and Run