BERNHARDT RILEY 2023 End of Year Recap – Criminal Defense As we continue along in 2024, it is time to reflect on our hard work and some of our most successful criminal defense cases over the past year. Here are just a few of the highlights: 1. Attempted Murder and Robbery Charges Dropped Our client was accused of attempted murder and robbery wherein the victim was shot in the back. Our client maintained his innocence. Gretchen Cothron, defense attorney and forensic scientist at Bernhardt Riley, did a deep dive into evidence pertaining to our client’s cellphone data. Ms. Cothron was able to pro ..read more

BERNHARDT RILEY Skilled DUI Defense in Florida Bernhardt Riley: Your Advocates in Florida DUI Defense Facing a DUI charge in Florida can be daunting, with penalties more severe than in many other states. But with Bernhardt Riley, you have a team that understands the complexities of DUI law and the nuances of an effective defense strategy. Why DUI Defense is Different in Florida Florida’s stringent DUI laws mean that a conviction carries serious consequences. However, not every DUI case is clear-cut. There are numerous defense strategies that can be employed, each requiring a deep understandin ..read more

At Bernhardt Riley, Attorneys at Law, PLLC, we are proud to announce a significant victory in the case of our client, Antonio Nelson, better known by his stage name, T9ine. The Hillsborough County State Attorney’s Office dropped the attempted murder and felony robbery charges against the Tampa Bay-based rapper during a court hearing on Wednesday. Nelson, 21, pleaded guilty to a separate charge of dealing in stolen property. The case, which garnered significant attention, centered on a robbery and shooting at a Mobil gas station in East Tampa on July 11, 2021. Hillsborough County sheriff’s depu ..read more

BERNHARDT RILEY Crime Scene Consultation Every case is filled with unique details that cannot always be fully explained through office visits or phone calls. That’s why Bernhardt Riley will meet you at the location of the arrest. Visiting the crime scene is extremely important. Surprisingly, this is not common practice among all criminal defense attorneys. While a prosecutor, Stephen M. Bernhardt assisted in the preparation of warrants and even accompanied a local law enforcement agency in the execution of an arrest warrant. That’s why prosecutorial experience is incomparable! Now, Bernha ..read more

BERNHARDT RILEY Protecting Your Rights Your rights deserve to be protected and your side of the story deserves to be heard. As a former prosecutor, Stephen M. Bernhardt understands that the arrest report typically tells a very small percentage of the story and is often exaggerated by emotional witnesses. More often, the police report leaves out important details that were not disclosed, or the information reported was deemed unimportant by the officers on-scene. This can lead to arrests even if someone did not commit the crime for which they were charged. Your case will be thoroughly defended ..read more

BERNHARDT RILEY DUI Defense A DUI conviction in Florida comes with serious penalties compared to other states. However, a DUI is not always an easy offense for the prosecution to prove. In fact, there are many potential defenses inherent in any DUI case. Having prosecuted countless DUIs for the State Attorney’s Office, Stephen M. Bernhardt has the knowledge and expertise to prepare the best defense for your case. If you have been arrested for DUI in Pinellas, Hillsborough or Pasco Counties, your best defense is with Bernhardt Riley. Your Driver License You must demand a Formal Administrative R ..read more

Drug Possession Possession charges can be defended in many ways. Some common defenses include knowledge of the presence of the narcotics, dominion and control over the narcotics and the State’s ability to prove the substance is a prohibited substance. Additionally, law enforcement often discovers the narcotics from an unlawful vantage point or fails to properly obtain and/or execute a search warrant. The best criminal defense attorneys review all these scenarios and more in a swift and thorough manner. Don’t accept a plea agreement with the State until your case is thoroughly reviewe ..read more

BERNHARDT RILEY Theft There are multiple legal defenses that commonly arise in theft-related charges. The State’s theft cases are routinely built around circumstantial evidence only, with no hard evidence. In other instances, evidence was improperly obtained, resulting in its exclusion from court proceedings. For a free evaluation of your case, contact Bernhardt Riley. Florida Statute Florida Statute 812.014 – Theft: A person commits theft if he or she knowingly obtains or uses, or endeavors to obtain or to use, the property of another with intent to, either temporarily or permanentl ..read more

BERNHARDT RILEY Assault and Battery When it comes to an assault or a battery case, there is usually a lot more to the story than what is included in the police report. While a prosecutor, Stephen M. Bernhardt recalls many cases where arrests were made, yet afterwards, everyone agreed that the night simply got out of hand and/or that the circumstances were embellished. However, these offenses – especially domestic violence-related charges – are serious and should be treated as such. The State Attorney’s Office certainly takes these cases seriously. Bernhardt Riley will look beyond the police re ..read more

BERNHARDT RILEY What to do if charged with Resisting Arrest Resisting an officer – with or without violence – is a common arrest, especially to those not originally the subject of the original investigation. Arrests for these offenses commonly arise when a third party is simply trying to protect a friend or family member. Law Enforcement Officers do have a dangerous job, and they obviously like to keep everything under control. Thus, arrests for “resisting” or “obstruction” are regularly made quickly in an attempt to control the situation. With that said, many defenses often exist. Under most ..read more