Criminal Defense in Manatee County
The criminal defense attorneys at Sammis Law Firm represent those facing felony and misdemeanor charges prosecuted at the Manatee County Judicial Center in Bradenton, FL. We are familiar with the tactics used by law enforcement officers in Manatee County, FL, including:
- Manatee County Sheriff’s Office
- Bradenton Police Department
- Bradenton Beach Police Department
- Palmetto Police Department
- Holmes Beach Police Department
Cases are handled differently in Manatee County, particularly for violation of probation cases and emergency bond hearings. Contact us to discuss what you might need to do right now to protect your rights and increase your chances of finding the best resolution to your case.
Attorney for Criminal Defense in Manatee County, FL
If you have been arrested for a criminal offense in Bradenton, Manatee County, Florida, contact an experienced lawyer at the Sammis Law Firm, P.A. Contact us to learn more about the charges pending against you, the potential penalties, and the best defenses to avoid those punishments.
We can help you fight the charges aggressively in all felony and misdemeanor cases. We also represent clients after a bench warrant is issued if they miss a court date.
Call (813) 250-0500.
Overview of Criminal Charges in Manatee County
- Fighting a Warrant for Your Arrest in Manatee County
- Extradition to Manatee County, FL
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Additional Resources
Fighting a Warrant for Your Arrest in Manatee County
Contact an attorney to discuss a possible resolution immediately if you have a warrant. The worst thing you can do is avoid turning yourself in or dealing with the warrant. When you are eventually picked up, it will look bad that you did not voluntarily surrender.
Instead, take a proactive approach. Your attorney can help you find out whether the warrant exists, whether a bond can be posted on it, and whether the prosecutor or court would agree to reduce the bond.
If the bond is not reasonable, the attorney can petition the court to lower the bond, allow for the individual to be released ROR (without posting a money bond), or even withdraw the warrant entirely during a “motion to surrender” hearing. If you have a warrant, not only do you have to worry about getting out of jail, but you also have to worry about how the case will ultimately be resolved.
Contact an experienced criminal defense lawyer about your Manatee County warrant to learn how we can help you resolve your case for the best possible disposition.
Extradition to Manatee County, FL
Often, an individual will have an old warrant in Manatee County. The individual lives in another state outside of Florida and is told that Florida will not extradite. Sometimes the warrant is for a violation of probation case in Manatee County. In other cases, a new felony or misdemeanor criminal offense is alleged.
At some point, the individual is picked up on the warrant in their home state. To their surprise, this time the authorities tell them that Florida is now interested in extradition. The individual is then detained in jail while awaiting extradition to Manatee County, FL.
In these cases, a criminal defense attorney for Manatee County can file a motion to withdraw the warrant in Florida so that the individual can voluntarily return to Bradenton to face the charges and avoid extradition.
The extradition process is long and expensive for the State of Florida. Judges often welcome a common-sense approach by a criminal defense attorney that allows the defendant to avoid the extradition process but guarantees that the individual returns to Florida to face the charges and resolve the case.
The extradition process is expensive. Often, the fees paid to the private company that facilitates the extradition can cost upwards of $3,000.00. The State of Florida will often try to require that the Defendant pay those costs as part of his sentence. Therefore, if you avoid extradition, you can often avoid paying those costs later when your case is resolved.
Hiring a lawyer to fight extradition to Manatee County, FL, often makes sense because it can save both money and time spent in jail to resolve the case.
We also represent clients in Manatee County, FL, after being rejected from a criminal traffic deferred prosecution agreement or pre-trial intervention program (PTI). If the state attorney’s office enters a memorandum indicating that the person failed to complete PTI or the criminal traffic deferred prosecution agreement, a warrant might be issued for their arrest.
Criminal traffic deferred prosecution agreements are common for misdemeanor traffic offenses, such as driving while the license is canceled, suspended, or revoked, with knowledge as a first or second offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Why is it important to hire a criminal defense attorney familiar with Manatee County?
Manatee County has unique procedures for warrants, probation violations, and emergency bond hearings. Local knowledge helps an attorney anticipate how prosecutors and judges typically handle specific issues. This insight can lead to faster resolutions and better defense strategies.
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What should I do if I learn there is a warrant for my arrest in Manatee County?
You should contact a criminal defense attorney immediately instead of waiting to be arrested. A lawyer can determine whether a bond exists, whether it can be reduced, or whether the warrant can be withdrawn through a motion to surrender. Acting proactively improves your chances of a favorable outcome.
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How does the extradition process work for a Manatee County warrant?
If you are arrested in another state on a Manatee County warrant, you may be held until Florida decides whether to extradite you. A defense attorney can often petition to withdraw the warrant so you can voluntarily return and avoid the lengthy and costly extradition process. Avoiding extradition may also prevent Florida from seeking reimbursement for transport costs.
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Can I avoid paying extradition fees if I return to Florida voluntarily?
Often, yes. When extradition is avoided, courts frequently do not impose the thousands of dollars Florida would otherwise spend on the transport process. This approach also helps resolve the case more quickly.
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What law enforcement agencies handle criminal investigations in Manatee County?
Criminal cases may be investigated by the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office or police departments in Bradenton, Palmetto, Holmes Beach, or Bradenton Beach. Each agency handles arrests differently, but all cases ultimately move through the Manatee County Judicial Center. A defense attorney familiar with these agencies can better anticipate investigative tactics.
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Can I look up my Manatee County criminal case online?
Yes. The Manatee County Clerk’s Office provides online access to dockets, filings, and upcoming court dates. The Sheriff’s Office also offers an arrest inquiry tool for recent bookings.
Additional Resources
Manatee Criminal Cases – Visit the website for the Clerk’s Office in Manatee County. Use the search feature to find a case using the defendant’s name or case number. Find information on the docket entries, upcoming court dates, and filings for any pending criminal or civil case.
Manatee Arrest Inquiry – Search the website for the Sheriff’s Office in Manatee County to find anyone arrested in this county. The search feature allows you to search by date of arrest, release date, name, or type of charge.
Finding a Criminal Defense Lawyer in Bradenton, FL
Before you decide how to proceed with your criminal case, discuss your rights and options with an experienced criminal and DUI defense attorney who practices in Bradenton, Manatee County, Florida.
During the free consultation, we can explain the charges pending against you, the potential punishments for those charges, and the best defenses that can be used to fight the case aggressively.
Contact us today for your free consultation.
Call 813-250-0500.
This article was last updated on Thursday, August 14, 2025.
