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 favorable settlement in a false arrest case stemming from a traffic stop that led to our client being charged with tampering with evidence.

The arresting officer alleged that our client had ingested a controlled substance during the stop. However, body camera footage told a very different story — clearly showing that no such conduct ever occurred. This critical evidence was further supported by medical personnel who evaluated our client after the arrest and confirmed there was no indication of ingestion.

Faced with objective video evidence and independent medical confirmation directly contradicting the officer’s claims, the case resolved in our client’s favor.

This outcome reflects our firm’s continued commitment to holding law enforcement accountable and 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

When the at-fault driver fled the scene, they likely thought they could escape accountability. They didn’t count on us.

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.

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

The Law Office of Michael P. Maddux, P.A. secured a major early victory when a federal judge denied both defendants’ motions to dismiss, allowing the case to move forward toward discovery and trial. The Court found that the plaintiff plausibly alleged he was wrongfully arrested for DUI because he passed sobriety tests and showed no signs of impairment, and 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, meaning they must now face the claims in court. This decision confirms that law enforcement cannot rely on weak or unsupported suspicions to make arrests and holds officers accountable when constitutional rights are violated.

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

Michael P. Maddux, P.A. achieved a victory for a client wrongfully charged with battery by uncovering the truth behind the incident. OurTeam 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 actually acting in self-defense and was the true victim, we successfully dismantled the prosecution’s case. As a result, all charges were dismissed, protecting our client’s record and reaffirming her right to defend herself in her own home.

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

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

Our firm worked quickly to present the full context of the situation to prosecutors. We emphasized that the incident was an isolated, emotionally charged disagreement and not a pattern of ongoing violence.

We also highlighted that the couple shares a child and intends to continue their family life together. After reviewing the circumstances and the information provided by our firm, the State exercised its discretion and declined to file charges.

As a result, our client was able to move forward without facing criminal prosecution. This case demonstrates how early advocacy and careful presentation of the facts can make a meaningful difference in the outcome of a criminal investigation.

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. At the scene of the accident, law enforcement issued our client a citation, and the insurance company relied on that citation to deny liability.

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

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, 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.

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

Michael P. Maddux has been recognized as a Tampa Magazine Top Lawyer for multiple consecutive years, reflecting the respect of fellow attorneys and the strength of his professional reputation within the Tampa Bay legal community. Tampa Magazine’s annual Top Lawyers list is based on peer nominations and 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

This recognition is awarded to attorneys who are consistently trusted by their peers for their legal judgment and experience. Selection as a Tampa Magazine Top Lawyer is not based on advertising or popularity, but on the opinions of other attorneys who are familiar with the demands of legal practice and the standards required for effective advocacy.

Throughout the years of this recognition, Mr. Maddux has maintained a practice focused on criminal defense, civil rights litigation, and personal injury matters, representing 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.

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. 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.

Michael P. Maddux has been named to the Florida Super Lawyers list repeatedly over the course of his career, reflecting sustained peer recognition for professional achievement and legal excellence. The Super Lawyers designation is awarded to a select percentage of attorneys each year following a rigorous, multi-phase selection process that includes peer nominations, independent research, and evaluation across multiple indicators of professional performance.

Super Lawyers Selections:
2010–2011, 2013–2026

Repeated selection to the Super Lawyers list is not based on a single case, verdict, or moment in time. Rather, 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.

Throughout the years of Super Lawyers recognition, Mr. Maddux has focused on criminal defense, civil rights litigation, and personal injury matters, handling 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.

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.

This recognition is not viewed as an endpoint, but as a professional benchmark that continues to guide Mr. Maddux’s approach to legal advocacy, preparation, and client service.

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

Michael P. Maddux has been honored with 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 either through the undertaking of a particularly difficult or unpopular legal cause within the past year, or through a career-long dedication to the defense of individuals accused of crimes.

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

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 that 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.

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.