LEGAL REPRESENTATION
Legal Defense Plan
As a member of the Tampa PBA, we want you to know that one of the primary benefits of membership is legal assistance. The Florida PBA has a team of five "in-house" attorneys and over 40 law firms to provide you with the best legal services available to Florida's law enforcement officers. These services are provided as part of your membership, and there is NO cost to you. The following services are provided to you by the Florida PBA and/or the Tampa PBA:
- Legal Representation: Disciplinary Cases and Arbitration - The PBA will provide you legal representation if you are suspended, demoted or dismissed by your Department. This representation can take two forms: legal assistance in a career service appeal or through the grievance/arbitration process.
- Legal Representation: Before CJSTC - If you are the subject of a certification disciplinary case or inquiry from the Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission (CJSTC), the PBA will provide you legal assistance at all three stages of the process, including the probable cause hearing, the administrative case and the final hearing before the full CJSTC.
- Legal Defense: Shootings/Serious Accidents - If you are involved in a duty-related shooting incident, an on-duty vehicle crash or other accident which results in a serious injury to another person, PBA will provide an attorney 'on-scene' to assist in any internal, criminal investigation or questioning about the incident.
- Legal Defense: Civil Suits/Criminal Actions - If you are sued civilly, subject to a grand jury investigation, or criminal action for an incident arising out of and within the scope of your law enforcement duties, PBA provides an attorney to represent you and cover the costs of defending the case against you.
- Legal Duty Officer - We provide access to a legal duty officer, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to respond to your emergency, duty-related legal needs.