We resolved a false DUI arrest claim against the Port Orange Police Department before filing suit.

What Happened

Our client was stopped for speeding and arrested for DUI. Her breath tests came back 0.000 twice. A certified Drug Recognition Expert evaluated her and found she was not impaired. The body-worn camera footage showed the officers’ own hesitation about the nystagmus they later documented with certainty. She was still booked into jail, and her mugshot ended up online.

How We Resolved the Claim

We served a Notice of Claim under § 768.28, and the City resolved the claim without a lawsuit.

An arrest has to rest on probable cause, not on a hunch that the evidence ends up contradicting. If you or someone you know was arrested despite evidence of innocence, call the Law Office of Michael P. Maddux, P.A. at (813) 253-3363.

The Law Office of Michael P. Maddux, P.A. is proud to announce the resolution of a St. Petersburg civil rights claim in federal court on behalf of our client. The case settled after a successful mediation with the officers involved.

The Case

In June 2025, St. Petersburg police officers stopped our client on suspicion of DUI. Officers quickly saw that she was not wearing pants. Even so, they ordered her out of her car and held her on the side of a busy public road, exposed to passing traffic, while they ran field sobriety exercises. Clothing was in her car, and officers heard this more than once. No one gave it to her. Officers ultimately transported her to jail still unclothed.

Our client was cooperative throughout and had no prior convictions. She was also in visible distress. The way officers treated her that night made a hard moment far worse, and she has felt the effects since.

The Claims in Our St. Petersburg Civil Rights Claim

We filed suit in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida. The suit alleged violations of her Fourth and Fourteenth Amendment rights. These protect her from unreasonable intrusion on her bodily privacy and from conduct that disregards her bodily integrity and dignity. We also brought state-law claims for intentional infliction of emotional distress.

The Result

The case resolved at mediation, early in the litigation. This was before the parties had to invest in depositions and face the cost and delay of discovery. Our client was able to reach a resolution without the stress of a prolonged public fight.

Why It Matters

A person in police custody still has a right to basic dignity. Officers can investigate a crime without leaving someone exposed when a simple solution is within arm’s reach. Cases like this are a reminder that constitutional protections apply on the side of a road at night, not just in a courtroom.

We are grateful to our client for her courage in bringing this case forward and for trusting our office to tell her story.

If you believe officers violated your rights during an encounter with law enforcement, contact the Law Office of Michael P. Maddux, P.A. at (813) 253-3363 for a consultation.

Michael P. Maddux, P.A. recently secured a favorable settlement in a false arrest case stemming from a traffic stop that led to our client being charged with tampering with evidence.

How This False Arrest Case Unfolded

Initially, the arresting officer alleged that our client had ingested a controlled substance during the stop. However, body camera footage told a very different story. It clearly showed that no such conduct ever occurred. Additionally, medical personnel evaluated our client after the arrest. They further supported this critical evidence, confirming there was no indication of ingestion.

Objective video evidence and independent medical confirmation directly contradicted the officer’s claims.

Ultimately, this outcome reflects our firm’s continued commitment to holding law enforcement accountable in every false arrest case, using objective evidence like body camera footage to uncover the truth and protect our clients’ rights.

📞 Have you been falsely arrested or wrongfully charged? You don’t have to face it alone. Call Michael P. Maddux, P.A. today at (813) 253-3363 — we’ll fight to uncover the truth and protect your rights.

Reviewed by Michael P. Maddux, Esq. | Board Certified Criminal Trial Lawyer | Florida Super Lawyer for 16 Consecutive Years

Reviewed by Michael P. Maddux, Esq. | Board Certified Criminal Trial Lawyer | Florida Super Lawyer for 16 Consecutive Years

When the hit and run driver fled the scene, they likely thought they could escape accountability. They didn’t count on us.

How We Tracked Down the Hit and Run Driver

Our team brought in a dedicated investigator, successfully identified and located both the driver and the vehicle, and uncovered key evidence establishing clear liability. Despite the added complexity of a hit and run, we built a strong, evidence-backed case and secured a full policy limits recovery for our client.

Walking away from a crash doesn’t erase responsibility. It only strengthens our resolve to hold the right party accountable.

If this happened to you, our office can help you pursue full compensation.

Reviewed by Michael P. Maddux, Esq. | Board Certified Criminal Trial Lawyer | Florida Super Lawyer for 16 Consecutive Years

A federal judge denied dismissal in a wrongful DUI case, handing the Law Office of Michael P. Maddux, P.A. a major early victory. The judge denied both defendants’ motions to dismiss, allowing the case to move forward toward discovery and trial.

Why the Court Allowed This Wrongful DUI Case to Proceed

The Court found that the plaintiff plausibly alleged he was wrongfully arrested for DUI. He passed sobriety tests and showed no signs of impairment. The Court ruled that simply smelling marijuana or admitting to prior legal use, without evidence of impairment, is not enough to justify an arrest under Florida law.

The judge also rejected the officers’ claims of qualified and sovereign immunity at this stage. This means the officers must now face the claims in court. This decision confirms that law enforcement cannot rely on weak or unsupported suspicions to make arrests, and it holds officers accountable when they violate constitutional rights. If you believe you were wrongfully arrested, our office can help.

Reviewed by Michael P. Maddux, Esq. | Board Certified Criminal Trial Lawyer | Florida Super Lawyer for 16 Consecutive Years

Battery charges dismissed under Florida’s self defense laws show how the right evidence can change a case entirely. Michael P. Maddux, P.A. achieved a victory for a client wrongfully charged with battery by uncovering the truth behind the incident.

How We Proved Self Defense in This Case

Our team presented clear evidence that the alleged victim showed up uninvited to our client’s home, refused to leave when asked, and then became the aggressor by attacking our client. By demonstrating that our client was acting in self defense and was the true victim, we successfully dismantled the prosecution’s case.

As a result, the court dismissed all charges. This protected our client’s record and reaffirmed her right to defend herself in her own home. If you were wrongfully charged and believe self defense applies to your case, our office can help.

Reviewed by Michael P. Maddux, Esq. | Board Certified Criminal Trial Lawyer | Florida Super Lawyer for 16 Consecutive Years

Michael P. Maddux, P.A. recently secured a positive outcome in a domestic dispute case for a client involved in a Valentine’s Day marital dispute that briefly escalated during an argument between spouses. Law enforcement responded to the incident, which resulted in only minor scratches and did not require any medical treatment.

How This Domestic Dispute Case Was Resolved

After reviewing the circumstances, the State ultimately declined to file charges. This outcome reflects the importance of a thorough review of the facts before assuming an arrest will lead to prosecution. If you are facing charges stemming from a domestic dispute, our office can help.

Reviewed by Michael P. Maddux, Esq. | Board Certified Criminal Trial Lawyer | Florida Super Lawyer for 16 Consecutive Years

Our firm recently obtained a successful result for a client who was initially blamed for a motor vehicle crash in Hillsborough County. Law enforcement issued our client a citation at the scene of the accident, and the insurance company relied on that citation to deny liability.

How We Got the Citation Dismissed

We challenged the citation in traffic court. The court dismissed the ticket, clearing our client of fault. Despite this outcome, State Farm continued to deny responsibility even after receiving our demand package.

Taking the Case to Litigation

As a result, we filed a lawsuit against both the driver and the vehicle owner and moved the case forward through litigation. Through continued advocacy and persistence, State Farm ultimately reversed its position. State Farm tendered the full bodily injury policy limits and reimbursed our client for out-of-pocket property damage repairs.

This case serves as an important reminder that a police citation at the scene does not always determine liability. When insurance companies refuse to accept responsibility, pursuing the case aggressively can make a meaningful difference for injured clients. If you were blamed for an accident you didn’t cause, our office can help.

Reviewed by Michael P. Maddux, Esq. | Board Certified Criminal Trial Lawyer | Florida Super Lawyer for 16 Consecutive Years

Tampa Magazine has recognized Michael P. Maddux as a Top Lawyer for multiple consecutive years. This reflects the respect of fellow attorneys and the strength of his professional reputation within the Tampa Bay legal community. Tampa Magazine bases its annual Top Lawyers list on peer nominations, and it highlights attorneys who have demonstrated exceptional skill, integrity, and professionalism in their respective practice areas.

Tampa Magazine Top Lawyer Selections:
2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025

What This Recognition Reflects

Tampa Magazine awards this recognition to attorneys who are consistently trusted by their peers for their legal judgment and experience. Selection as a Tampa Magazine Top Lawyer does not rest on advertising or popularity. Instead, it rests on the opinions of other attorneys who understand the demands of legal practice and the standards required for effective advocacy.

A Career Across Multiple Practice Areas

Throughout the years of this recognition, Mr. Maddux has maintained a practice focused on criminal defense, civil rights litigation, and personal injury matters. He represents clients in cases involving serious legal and personal consequences. His work requires thorough preparation, strategic decision-making, and courtroom experience, particularly in matters where individual rights, accountability, and meaningful outcomes are at stake.

What This Recognition Means for Clients

For clients, recognition as a Tampa Magazine Top Lawyer provides additional confidence in the quality of representation they receive. It signals an attorney whose work is respected within the local legal community and whose experience has been earned through years of dedicated practice. In turn, peer recognition of this kind reflects consistency, professionalism, and a commitment to serving clients with care and diligence.

Mr. Maddux’s repeated inclusion on the Tampa Magazine Top Lawyers list represents an ongoing standard rather than a single achievement. It reflects a continued dedication to ethical advocacy, careful case preparation, and client-focused representation across multiple areas of law. If you have questions about how Mr. Maddux’s experience can help your case, contact our office.

Michael P. Maddux has repeatedly earned a spot on the Florida Super Lawyers list throughout his career, reflecting sustained peer recognition for professional achievement and legal excellence. Each year, Super Lawyers selects a limited percentage of attorneys following a rigorous, multi-phase process. This process includes peer nominations, independent research, and evaluation across multiple indicators of professional performance.

Super Lawyers Selections:
2010–2011, 2013–2026

What Repeated Recognition Represents

Repeated selection to the Super Lawyers list does not rest on a single case, verdict, or moment in time. Instead, it reflects consistency in legal practice, professional integrity, and the respect of fellow attorneys who understand the demands of high-stakes trial advocacy. Each year of recognition represents continued adherence to the standards expected of attorneys trusted with complex and consequential matters.

A Career Across Multiple Practice Areas

Throughout the years of Super Lawyers recognition, Mr. Maddux has focused on criminal defense, civil rights litigation, and personal injury matters. He has handled cases that require careful preparation, strategic judgment, and courtroom experience. His work has involved protecting constitutional rights, challenging government overreach, and advocating for individuals who have suffered serious harm due to negligence or misconduct. This long-standing recognition mirrors the depth and continuity of that work across multiple practice areas.

What This Recognition Means for Clients

For clients, a record of Super Lawyers recognition offers added confidence in the quality of representation they receive. It signals experience earned over decades, a reputation built within the legal community, and a commitment to principled advocacy that extends beyond any single case. Peer recognition of this kind reflects not only past performance, but an ongoing standard of excellence applied to every client and every matter.

Mr. Maddux does not view this recognition as an endpoint. Instead, it continues to guide his approach to legal advocacy, preparation, and client service. If you have questions about how Mr. Maddux’s experience can help your case, contact our office.

Reviewed by Michael P. Maddux, Esq. | Board Certified Criminal Trial Lawyer | Florida Super Lawyer for 16 Consecutive Years

Michael P. Maddux has won the Barry A. Cohen “Excellence in Criminal Defense” Award, presented annually by the Hillsborough County Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (HCACDL). This distinguished award recognizes a Hillsborough County criminal defense attorney who has demonstrated exceptional integrity, courage, and fearlessness. Recipients earn this honor either through undertaking a particularly difficult or unpopular legal cause within the past year, or through a career-long dedication to defending individuals accused of crimes.

What the Barry A. Cohen Award Represents

The Barry A. Cohen Award recognizes attorneys who exemplify the highest standards of criminal defense practice. It acknowledges that effective defense advocacy often requires standing firm in the face of adversity, public scrutiny, or unpopular circumstances. The award honors recipients not only for legal skill, but for their willingness to represent clients others may shy away from, all while maintaining professionalism and ethical integrity throughout the process.

A Career Defined by Principled Defense

Throughout his career, Mr. Maddux has demonstrated a steadfast commitment to defending the constitutional rights of the accused. His practice has involved representing clients facing serious criminal allegations, often in complex and challenging cases. These cases demand both legal toughness and principled judgment. The award reflects a recognition of that commitment, as well as the courage required to advocate fearlessly on behalf of clients when the stakes are at their highest.

In addition to his advocacy, the award recognizes Mr. Maddux’s professionalism and integrity within the legal community. As a current, dues-paying member of HCACDL, he has consistently upheld the standards expected of criminal defense attorneys practicing in Hillsborough County, even when confronted with difficult cases or unpopular legal positions.

A Lasting Honor

The Barry A. Cohen “Excellence in Criminal Defense” Award represents peer recognition of an attorney whose work reflects dedication to justice, ethical advocacy, and the fundamental right to a strong defense. For Mr. Maddux, this honor underscores a career defined by principled representation, courage in the courtroom, and an unwavering commitment to the defense of those accused of crimes.