St Petersburg Criminal Defense Attorney
St. Petersburg DUI & Criminal Defense Attorney
David C. Hardy – Board Certified Criminal Trial Law Expert
David C. Hardy is a seasoned criminal defense attorney representing clients in St. Petersburg and throughout the Tampa region. With more than 20 years of courtroom experience, he concentrates his practice on DUI defense, state criminal defense, and federal criminal defense.
In 2010, Mr. Hardy earned Board Certification in Criminal Trial Law from The Florida Bar, a distinction achieved by fewer than one percent of attorneys statewide. This certification is the Bar’s highest recognition of professional expertise, trial skill, and legal knowledge.
In 2014, he further distinguished himself by obtaining National Board Certification in Criminal Trial Law from the National Board of Trial Advocacy. This dual achievement places him among a select group of Florida attorneys who hold both state and national certifications in criminal trial law.
Mr. Hardy has also earned top ratings from nationally recognized attorney review services. Martindale-Hubbell awarded him its highest rating of AV-Preeminent, a mark of exceptional legal ability and professional ethics as determined by his peers. AVVO has likewise rated him 10.0 Superb, its highest possible score.
Education & Early Career
Attorney Hardy graduated from Suffolk University Law School in Boston with high honors, ranking in the top four percent of his class. During law school, he received the Best Oral Advocate Award, the Jurisprudence Award, and the Paul McLaughlin Memorial Prosecutor Fellowship. In 1999, he served as an intern with the U.S. Department of Justice, further sharpening his trial skills before graduating in 2000.
Following graduation, Mr. Hardy served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Honduras, where he trained police officers and judges in criminal trial law.
Prosecutor & Defense Experience in St. Petersburg
From 2000 to 2005, Mr. Hardy worked as an Assistant State Attorney in Tampa, where he prosecuted thousands of cases ranging from DUI arrests to serious felony charges. This experience gave him firsthand insight into how the State Attorney’s Office prepares cases, knowledge he now uses to build strong defenses for his clients.
In federal court, Mr. Hardy has represented individuals accused of complex offenses, including international extradition, drug trafficking, financial crimes, immigration violations, identity theft, firearms charges, and healthcare fraud. He has appeared in federal trial and appellate courts throughout Florida, Texas, and Georgia.
Today, through The Hardy Law Firm, Attorney Hardy combines his rare credentials, courtroom experience, and deep understanding of the law to defend clients facing DUI and criminal charges in St. Petersburg and beyond.
St. Petersburg DUI Lawyer
St. Petersburg DUI Defense Attorney
Being arrested for DUI in St. Petersburg can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to go through it alone. A DUI conviction can lead to a suspended driver’s license, steep fines, a permanent criminal record, and even jail time, consequences that can impact your job, your family, and your future.
At The Hardy Law Firm, we focus on DUI defense in St. Petersburg and throughout Florida. With more than two decades of courtroom experience, Attorney David C. Hardy understands how to challenge DUI charges, protect your rights, and fight for the best possible outcome. Whether it’s questioning the traffic stop, challenging breath or blood test results, or negotiating reduced penalties, we are committed to building the strongest defense for you.
Why You Should Hire The Hardy Law Firm P.A.
Choosing the right criminal defense lawyer may end up being one of the most important decisions you'll ever make. Before you decide which attorney is going to represent you in Hillsborough County, take the time to do some research. Find out about the attorney's education, training, and experience.
My name is attorney David Hardy, and I focus on Florida DUI defense, Florida criminal defense, and federal criminal defense. I have been practicing criminal law in Florida since 2005, with offices located in Tampa and serving clients throughout Hillsborough County, Pinellas, Plant City, St. Petersburg, and Clearwater.
I earned my law degree at Suffolk University Law School in Boston, attending evening classes while working as a high school and middle school teacher during the day. Balancing both roles was demanding but rewarding, and I also gained valuable legal experience as a summer intern at the United States Attorney’s Office in Providence, Rhode Island. I graduated in the top 4% of my class with high honors.
For more than five years, I served as a prosecutor in Tampa, handling cases involving DUI, assault, battery, theft, drug possession, drug trafficking, firearms offenses, and probation violations. This role gave me an inside perspective on how the criminal justice system works and reinforced my belief that a strong defense attorney can make a life-changing difference for a client.
In 2010, I founded the Hardy Law Firm, P.A., where I represent individuals facing both Florida state and federal charges. My clients come from all walks of life, but they all share one thing in common: their lives have been disrupted by a criminal accusation, and they need someone to fight for their rights in court. That is the role I take on. Whether you are facing a second-degree misdemeanor or a first-degree felony, I have the knowledge, skills, and determination to provide you with the strongest possible defense.
I am board certified as an expert in criminal trial law by both the Florida Bar and the National Board of Trial Advocacy. I have taught criminal evidence and constitutional law courses at the college level. In 2019, I was honored when my criminal law article, Simon a Slave v. the State of Florida, was featured on the cover of the Florida Bar Journal.
I am fluent in Spanish. While some attorneys may have a secretary or staff member that they use as an interpreter to communicate with clients, I speak directly to my Spanish speaking clients in their native language.
Like any law firm I charge for my services. However, I pledge to you that my fees will always be fair and reasonable. I base my fees upon a variety of factors, including the factual complexity of the case, the type of criminal charge, the amount of time the case required, and the level of expertise the case demands.
When a potential client calls me, they sometimes ask me for a guarantee that their charges will be reduced or dismissed. I can't guarantee how a particular case will turn out. However, there are some things that I can guarantee. First, I guarantee that you will be able to speak to me personally when you have a question about your case. Second, I guarantee that I will take the time to understand the goals you have for your case. Third, I guarantee that I will do everything in my power to get you the best possible result in your case. A lifelong friend of mine once told me that the best job is the one in which you are using your talents to help as many people as possible. For me, working as a criminal defense lawyer fits that description. I hope you will allow me the privilege of using the education, skills, knowledge and experience I have acquired throughout my career to fight for you, and to ensure that you get the best possible result in your case.