An arrest is not a conviction
An arrest is not even a formal criminal charge.
It is imperative to speak to an attorney as soon as possible after an arrest. At Boardman & Gallagher, we have successfully negotiated reductions in charges and even dismissals prior to our clients ever appearing in court or even being arrested. Prompt action can relieve the overwhelming stress and anxiety on our clients and their family. DO NOT DELAY. CALL TODAY.
Experienced Trial Attorneys
Successful Criminal Defense Lawyers
Scott Boardman and James Gallagher are experienced, dedicated, and reputable Tampa criminal defense lawyers. They have NEVER worked as prosecutors. Their aggressive approach to the criminal justice system helps them efficiently negotiate the toughest cases with the State Attorney’s Office.
Boardman & Gallagher
TAMPA CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEYS
We fight to defend against all criminal charges while specializing in more serious offenses and complex cases. We help our clients understand the charges that have been filed against them. A well-informed client can be an asset in the courtroom and serve as part of a solid defense strategy.
Boardman Gallagher Law always seeks to fight for a case’s dismissal or a reduction in charges before trial, and we will build a strong defense when going to trial is the best option.
If you have been arrested, or believe you are being investigated for a crime, time is of the essence. You need to speak to an attorney immediately so that a defense strategy can be put into place. It is never a good idea to speak to the police prior to consulting an attorney. If you are arrested, invoke your right to remain silent and ask to speak with an attorney. Only requesting an attorney triggers the necessary Constitutional Rights associated with being under arrest.
Boardman & Gallagher
Scott Boardman
Attorney
James Gallagher
Attorney
Boardman & Gallagher
Practice Areas
Homicide: Murder and Manslaughter
Both Mr. Boardman and Mr. Gallagher have independently and successfully tried Homicide cases to verdicts of NOT GUILTY. We have handled numerous homicide cases, ranging from Capital Murder to Vehicular Homicide.
When trial was not the best option, we have successfully negotiated murder charges to lesser offenses, including negotiating murder charges down to non-homicide offenses with a sentence of probation.
These are the most difficult and challenging cases to litigate with the most at stake. In the unfortunate event a loved one finds themselves facing the most serious of offenses, we will treat our client and their family with compassion and work diligently to achieve the best possible result.
Sex Offenses and Child Pornography
Boardman and Gallagher have successfully tried Sexual Battery charges to a verdict of NOT GUILTY.
We understand that persons charged with sex offenses face a stigma that can haunt them for the rest of their lives. This stigma can exist even if the charges are later dismissed. We understand the sensitive nature of the charges and the anxiety and stress associated with being arrested for a sex offense. We can help you and your family navigate through this difficult experience with compassion and respect.
In Florida, sexual offenses are often the most complex cases, with rules and procedures that do not apply in other types of criminal charges. This is especially the case where the accusations involve an alleged minor victim. Additionally, lifelong sex offender registration is a mandatory condition for many convicted of sexual offenses. This can lead to a lifetime of jumping through hoops and restrictions on a person’s freedom. We understand the complexities of these cases and can help to fight for the best outcome.
Mr. Boardman and Mr. Gallagher have successfully negotiated for the dismissal of many sexual offenses and for reductions in charges that do not carry the labelling of our clients as sex offenders or sexual predators, and have avoided prison sentences for our clients.
Law enforcement utilizes many tricks to manipulate suspects into harming their cases prior to making an arrest. If you even suspect that you or a loved one is being investigated for a sex offense, you need to speak with an attorney RIGHT NOW.
Aggressive representation immediately can stop an investigation in its tracks. We have been successful in stopping arrests and charges from ever happening due to swift action. Do not speak to law enforcement or any person, besides your attorney, about your potential charges if you believe you are being investigated for a sexually-related offense.
White Collar, Financial Crimes, Money Laundering, and Forfeiture
Financial Crimes can be some of the most challenging charges that a person can face. Often, a person charged with a financial crime may not even understand what they are accused of doing. We will put in the time and go through the paperwork to get to the heart of the case. These cases frequently involve the untangling of paper-trails and can often expose innocent behavior.
Many people are surprised that their actions in dealing with banks, lenders, government agencies, and tax authorities often face severe criminal penalties in both State and Federal courts. You need experienced attorneys that understand these laws.
Financial criminal investigations often start with the seizure of assets. Asset forfeiture can cripple a family or a business. Boardman & Gallagher have been very successful in recovering wrongfully seized assets. We recovered hundreds of thousands of dollars in court from the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office that were wrongfully seized in just one case, not to mention money, vehicles, and jewelry in other cases.
Drug Trafficking and Mandatory Minimums
Most people don’t understand that drug trafficking doesn’t mean organized crime, or smuggling drugs, or even selling drugs. In Florida, drug trafficking just means that you possessed a certain drug over a certain amount. The legislature keeps making the amounts smaller, while dramatically increasing the penalties.
Did you know?
- That simple possession of four grams of fentanyl carries a mandatory minimum prison term of SEVEN YEARS?
- Many people who find themselves charged with trafficking in Fentanyl didn’t even know that they possessed fentanyl because their dealer cut another drug with Fentanyl?
- The tests used by law enforcement to detect fentanyl on the scene of an arrest are notoriously inaccurate?
- That drug tests given to probationers are likewise notoriously inaccurate?
If you are charged with trafficking, you need an experienced attorney who understands the law and the penalties involved with this serious offense and who has the knowledge to fight and defend you.
DUI and Traffic Defense
At Boardman & Gallagher, we recognize that not all DUI and traffic cases are created equal. In Hillsborough County, most first time DUIs are reduced to reckless driving through a program called RIDR, which stands for Reducing Impaired Driving Recidivism. You can read more about it here.
If you are faced with a first time DUI and qualify for RIDR, we will treat you and charge you fairly. The reality is, because of the success of the RIDR program, the need for an aggressive attorney in a first time DUI has been greatly reduced, although it is still important that the case has been thoroughly reviewed for defenses and weaknesses in the prosecution. Entering RIDR still means pleading guilty to a crime and it is a decision that should not be taken lightly. We are happy to work with you to determine what is your best choice.
Not everyone arrested for intoxicated driving is charged with a first time DUI. Gallagher & Boardman specializes in cases that are generally more serious in nature. This could mean DUIs that are punished with mandatory jail time, or DUIs that result in death or serious bodily injury. These cases require more than just having a friendly relationship with the prosecutor. The prosecution is not lenient in DUI cases that result in injury or death. These cases often require significant litigation.
We have successfully fought these cases and had blood results suppressed, challenged the accuracy of lab results, and negotiated vastly reduced sentences for clients charged with DUI Manslaughter where there were multiple victims.
We have also successfully litigated other traffic homicide cases, such as leaving the scene of an accident causing death, and received favorable outcomes for our clients. These cases can be helped by swift action by an attorney that can speak on your behalf to law enforcement. If you think you are being investigated for a traffic offense that involves death or serious injury, you need to talk to an attorney before you talk to the police. Or, better yet, let an attorney talk to the police for you.
FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHTS AND OBSCENITY
At Boardman & Gallagher, we are passionate about freedom of speech, freedom of the press, freedom of assembly, and other First Amendment rights. Protection of these rights are crucial to the continued functioning of a healthy democracy.
Over our careers we have seen shifts in how the government seeks to punish speech, often resulting in overreach by prosecutors in their attempts to conform to popular sentiment about unpopular political stances and personal practices.
When terrorism became the primary fear in society, we saw increases in prosecutions for terrorism related offenses. We have successfully argued for dismissal of terrorism charges based on no more than controversial posts on social media sites.
When there was a push against adult content during the “family values” era, Mr. Boardman, in particular, tried many obscenity cases, achieving NOT GUILTY verdicts in the vast majority of those cases.
In our modern society, where everyone is connected through technology, and a poorly considered remark made in an unguarded moment can land you with criminal charges, it is important to have an attorney that deeply understands the interplay between the First Amendment and criminal law.
We are entering a new era where we believe that more prosecutions based on speech and obscenity are imminent. We stand firm in our support for First Amendment rights and are ready to help if you are faced with criminal charges based on Constitutionally protected activity.
SUBSTANCE ABUSE, MARCHMAN ACT, DRUG COURT AND VETERAN’S COURT
At Boardman & Gallagher, we recognize the harm that substance abuse problems can inflict on our clients and their families.
Mr. Boardman, especially takes a personal interest in the well-being of clients with substance abuse issues. Mr. Boardman served on the Board for You Are Not Alone (Y.A.N.A.) in Tampa for nine years, with eight of those years spent serving as Chairman. We have been successful in connecting our clients with programs and services that not only provide them the help they need to overcome substance abuse issues, but also can dramatically improve out clients’ outcomes in dealing with the criminal justice system.
While we approach every case with a “defense-first” mentality, and always look for ways to beat charges in court, winning a case is not always possible. Sometimes the best outcomes can be achieved by recognizing and addressing our client’s personal problems, whether those are related to substance abuse or mental health.
We are familiar with the requirements and procedures to successfully enter and complete Veteran’s Court for our clients with service-related disabilities or substance abuse problems.
These type of diversionary programs are called “Problem Solving Courts.” You can read more about these programs in Hillsborough County here. Other counties have similar programs, but these are generally reflective of the types of diversionary programs regionally available.
Outside of the criminal context, we also handle what are called “Marchman Act” cases. The Marchman Act is a law somewhat unique to Florida, where concerned family members can seek a court’s intervention in requiring an at-risk family member to enter substance abuse treatment. Navigating this system can be complex and we are very familiar with the laws and procedures involved with the Marchman Act. We have represented numerous families seeking treatment for their loved ones. Conversely, sometimes we have represented people who have been wrongfully submitted to the Marchman Act and helped them get their cases dismissed where court intervention was not necessary.
The Marchman Act is an option of last resort and the decision to pursue court intervention into a family member’s life should only be made after careful consideration and consultation with an attorney experienced with the laws concerning substance abuse.
Boardman & Gallagher
TESTIMONIALS
Both Scott and James were incredibly attentive and put forth a display of work ethic that superseded my expectations. They were caring, their communication was on point and they went above and beyond to ensure I was taken care of as a client. We were treated like family from day one. I highly recommend obtaining their services.
Nick
CONTACT US
Request a Consultation
Our experience, our knowledge, and our passion drive us to pursue the best possible results for our clients. Boardman Gallagher Law is dedicated to providing excellence in legal representation. Call our office at (813) 248-0704 to schedule an appointment. If there is a pressing need to speak to an attorney immediately, you may call or text Mr. Boardman on his cell-phone at 813-924-2519 and Mr. Gallagher at 813-382-5547. We will do our best to return all calls as soon as possible.
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Practice Areas
Contact Info
- 1710 East Seventh Ave Tampa, FL 33605
- (813) 248-0704
- Monday-Friday: 9AM-5PM