Facing a DUI arrest in Tampa can be overwhelming, especially given the area’s reputation as one of Florida’s strictest regions for DUI enforcement. Hillsborough and Pinellas counties consistently dominate the state’s DUI arrest rankings. In 2024, Hillsborough recorded 4,593 DUI arrests—more than any other county for the sixth year straight. Pinellas, just across the bay, wasn’t far behind with 3,326 arrests. For context, that’s more than Miami-Dade, which has nearly twice the population. (source)
Why Is Tampa a DUI Hotspot?
It’s not just tough talk here—this region backs it up with resources. The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office runs a specialized DUI squad. These deputies don’t handle general patrol; they’re trained and equipped to look for impaired drivers day and night. They use mobile breath-testing units, conduct targeted patrols, and run DUI checkpoints during holidays, concerts, sporting events—anywhere people might be tempted to drive after drinking.
Pinellas takes a similar approach. Agencies coordinate saturation patrols regularly. And it’s not just street-level enforcement; local prosecutors treat DUI cases with zero leniency. The courts back them up, especially when there’s a crash involved or a prior record.
Where Will Your Case Go? Major Courthouses in the Tampa Area
If you’re arrested for DUI in the Tampa Bay area, the courthouse your case goes to depends on where the arrest happened:
- Hillsborough County
You’ll likely appear at the George E. Edgecomb Courthouse, located downtown Tampa at 800 E Twiggs Street. This is the main criminal courthouse for the county. DUI arraignments, pre-trial hearings, and trials are all handled here. - Pinellas County
Cases here are divided between the Pinellas County Justice Center in Clearwater (for felony DUIs or more serious matters) and the St. Petersburg Judicial Building for misdemeanors. Clearwater handles the lion’s share, especially for DUI charges from the beaches, Largo, and northern parts of the county.
These courthouses are fast-paced, with tough judges and aggressive prosecutors. Missing a court date, filing paperwork late, or walking in unprepared could set you back fast.
The Critical 10-Day Rule in Florida
What most people don’t realize? After a DUI arrest, your license isn’t just in jeopardy down the line—it’s already in the process of being suspended.
Florida’s 10-day rule is brutal in its simplicity: from the moment you’re arrested, the clock starts. You have 10 calendar days to request a formal review hearing with the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV).
Blow past that deadline, and your driving privileges vanish—automatically. No hearing. No argument. Just suspension.
And if your job depends on driving? Or you’ve got kids to shuttle around, or aging parents to care for? You’re suddenly stuck looking at rideshares, long bus rides, or begging for help. That’s why fast legal help is non-negotiable.
Why Experience in DUI Defense Really Matters
Not all lawyers are cut from the same cloth. DUI law is fast-changing, technical, and full of traps for the inexperienced. You need someone who not only knows the courtroom but also understands the science behind breathalyzers, field sobriety tests, and blood draws.
That’s where The Ticket Clinic comes in. Since 1987, they’ve handled thousands of DUI cases across Florida, and a mountain of those victories are publicly posted right on their site. Their attorneys are court-tested, fluent in local rules, and relentless about protecting your record and license. Just check our 1000s of positive case results here.
What To Do Right Now If You’ve Been Arrested for DUI in Tampa
- Don’t wait. Call a DUI lawyer immediately. Every hour counts in the first 10 days.
- Get your court info. Your ticket or release paperwork will tell you where and when to appear.
- Request your DHSMV hearing. Your lawyer can help preserve your right to challenge the suspension.
- Stay off social media. Anything you post can be used in court. Let your lawyer do the talking.
Tampa doesn’t mess around when it comes to DUI. But with fast action and the right defense, you’re not powerless. The system is tough—but you don’t have to go through it alone.
