Tampa Criminal Defense Lawyer | Drug, Felony, DUI & Violent Crimes

Criminal Defense

A criminal charge in Florida can put your freedom, your record, and your future in immediate jeopardy. The right response is not panic — it is preparation.

At Sanchez Vaughn, we defend people facing serious accusations across Tampa Bay, from first-time misdemeanors to life-felony matters. Our criminal practice is led by Nicole N. Sanchez, who is Board Certified in Criminal Trial Law by The Florida Bar and previously served as a lead felony prosecutor. That background means we understand how the State builds a case — and where those cases break down. Tyler K. Vaughn brings meticulous preparation, early issue identification, and trial experience to every file.

We prepare each case as if it is going to trial. Often, that posture is what creates leverage — whether that means litigating a suppression issue, negotiating a reduction, or pursuing a dismissal. You will understand your options at every step, in plain English, and you will hear from us along the way.

Drug Trafficking & Drug Crimes Defense

Florida trafficking charges carry mandatory-minimum prison terms tied to drug weight — not necessarily to any intent to sell. Ordinary possession amounts can trigger trafficking exposure. We scrutinize the stop, the search, the lab analysis, and the weight before conceding anything.

We also defend the full range of drug crimes, from possession to sale and distribution, with the same focus on constitutional issues and procedure.

Challenges to the traffic stop, detention, and search
Fourth Amendment suppression motions
Examination of lab testing and chain of custody
Weight, packaging, and confidential-informant challenges
Mandatory-minimum exposure and defense strategy

Felony Defense

Florida felonies range from third-degree offenses to life felonies, and the stakes climb quickly. We handle serious felony matters with the investigation, motion practice, and trial preparation they demand.

Third-degree through life-felony accusations
Pretrial and dispositive motion practice
Defense investigation and expert consultation
Negotiation and trial advocacy

DUI Defense

A DUI reaches your license, your insurance, and your record. We examine the basis for the stop, the field sobriety testing, and the breath or blood evidence — and we move quickly to protect your driving privileges.

Administrative license deadlines run fast after an arrest, so early action matters.

Probable cause and stop challenges
Field sobriety and breath-test reliability issues
Administrative license (DHSMV) hearing deadlines
First-offense through felony DUI

Battery & Violent Crimes Defense

Battery, aggravated battery, domestic-violence allegations, and other violent-crime charges often turn on credibility, context, and the right to self-defense. We investigate thoroughly and hold the State to its burden.

Simple and aggravated battery
Domestic-violence accusations
Self-defense and justifiable use of force
Witness credibility and evidence scrutiny

Stand Your Ground

Florida law may provide immunity from prosecution where a person lawfully stood their ground in self-defense. We litigate Stand Your Ground immunity at the pretrial stage and, where necessary, present self-defense to a jury.

Pretrial immunity hearings
Use-of-force law and investigation
Scene, witness, and forensic development
Trial presentation when a hearing does not resolve the case

Appeals & Post-Conviction

Where appropriate, we handle direct appeals and post-conviction matters, including appellate briefing and issues preserved through suppression and trial litigation. Appellate work is fact- and deadline-sensitive, so timing is critical.

Direct appeals
Post-conviction motions
Appellate briefing and argument
Preservation of issues for review

Tampa Criminal Defense Lawyers