Farmer and Fitzgerald, P.A.
Attorneys at Law - Tampa, Florida

Concentrating his practice on the representation of citizens accused of crimes, Timothy J. Fitzgerald is a regarded criminal defense attorney in both State and Federal Court. He is known for his aggressive advocacy to bring each case to a speedy and successful resolution, as well as for his skill and sensitivity to protect and restore the public image of his clients during the course of their legal concerns. Fitzgerald is the President of the Hillsborough County Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers 2002-2003, and actively supports many local probono and volunteer organizations throughout the Tampa Bay Area.

In 2002, Fitzgerald was a member of the legal defense team responsible for achieving the acquittal of Clear Channel Communications radio personality "Bubba the Love Sponge" Clem, his producer, and two listeners, on animal cruelty charges for an on-air promotion. The case, widely reported in the national press, credited the quality of the defense for the acquittal. The St. Pete Times heralded the lawyers of Team Clem a "formidable wall of power suits" for putting on a "million dollar defense".

Clem could have faced five years if convicted, but a jury returned with an acquittal after only an hour of deliberation. Thanks in large part to the effective protection of his public image by the defense team during the trial, Clem's radio show has vaulted to number one since the trial and doubled the number of listeners in its category.

Fitzgerald also recently represented Bernice Edwards, a one-time aide to the Rev. Henry Lyons and former publicist for his National Baptist Convention USA, on charges of tax evasion and probation violation in a high-profile case in Federal Court.

Fitzgerald successfully defended three members of a Tampa family against racketeering charges in one of the widely publicized "Operation Bad Bet" cases prohibiting the ownership of video slot machines, considered contraband under Florida law. In 2002, Fitzgerald secured a dismissal on the grounds of outrageous governmental conduct in the case.

In 1998, six people were indicted and charged with extorting individuals on probation in the state criminal justice system. Fitzgerald's client was charged with extortion in violation of the Hobbs Act and conspiracy to commit extortion. After a week long trial in 1998, Fitzgerald's client was acquitted of all charges.

In 1997, fourteen individuals were indicted and charged with conspiracy to posses with the intent to distribute more than two thousand kilograms of cocaine. Twelve of the fourteen individuals were convicted, however, Fitzgerald's client was found not guilty of all charges by a jury following a three week trial in 1998.

In 1994, sixteen people were charged with racketeering in a Federal indictment. The charges against Fitzgerald's client included racketeering and conspiracy to commit racketeering. The predicate acts included five Hobbs Act armed robbery allegations and the allegation of the murder of a government informant. Fourteen of the sixteen men indicted were convicted. However Fitzgerald's client was acquitted by a jury of all charges after a two week trial.

Eighteen members of the Outlaw motorcycle club were indicted in 1994 in a seventy-two count indictment, which included charges of racketeering and conspiracy to distribute narcotics. Fitzgerald's client was named in eight counts and five predicate acts including racketeering, conspiracy to commit racketeering, conspiracy to posses with the intent to distribute narcotics, illegal sale of firearms, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, robbery, extortion and the sale of various narcotics. Fitzgerald's client was also accused of selling drugs and guns directly to a DEA agent. Sixteen of the eighteen men indicted were convicted, however, Fitzgerald's client was acquitted by a jury of all thirteen allegations filed against him following a five month trial in 1995.

Fitzgerald has also obtained outstanding results in convincing the authorities not to file charges as well as negotiating favorable plea bargains for clients.

Fitzgerald is a graduate of the University of Miami where he was the recipient of the prestigious Herman Sohn scholarship for outstanding achievement in the study of economics. Following graduation from the University of Miami, Fitzgerald attended the University of Florida College of Law and graduated in 1988.