Board-Certified Criminal Defense for Bay County’s Beach Communities
An arrest in Panama City Beach can disrupt your life in a matter of hours, whether you live in Bay County or were visiting for the weekend. Our Panama City Beach criminal defense attorney Bob Sombathy is a Board-Certified Criminal Trial Lawyer who defends clients facing DUI, drug, assault, sex crime, and felony charges in Bay County courts. We represent residents, visitors, and out-of-state clients with the same level of preparation, direct attorney attention, and courtroom readiness.
Why Panama City Beach Clients Choose The Sombathy Law Firm
- Board-Certified Criminal Trial Lawyer. Bob Sombathy has held this designation from The Florida Bar since 1999, a distinction granted to less than 1% of Florida attorneys and the credential that legally authorizes a lawyer to be called a criminal trial specialist.
- Former homicide prosecutor. Three decades of insight into how the state builds, charges, and evaluates criminal cases.
- 33 years of experience and more than 150 felony jury trials. Proven courtroom readiness when negotiation is not enough.
- Local to Bay County. Our office sits at 434 Magnolia Avenue in Panama City, minutes from the Hathaway Bridge and the Bay County Courthouse.
- Direct representation from Bob Sombathy. You work with your attorney from the first call through resolution, not a rotating team of associates.
Criminal Charges We Defend in Panama City Beach
Panama City Beach’s nightlife corridor, beachfront rentals, and seasonal tourist traffic generate a specific mix of arrests every year. We defend clients against the full range of charges that arise along Front Beach Road, Thomas Drive, the Pier Park area, and the surrounding rental communities.
- DUI, including traffic stops, checkpoint arrests, and out-of-state license consequences
- Drug possession and trafficking, including beach and venue arrests
- Assault and battery charges stemming from bar, nightclub, and rental disputes
- Domestic violence allegations arising from hotel rooms and short-term rentals
- Sex crime allegations that can carry lifelong registration consequences
- Weapons charges, including non-resident firearm issues and carrying violations
- Theft, burglary, and property crimes from rentals, retail locations, and resorts
Defending Out-of-State and Visiting Clients
Many Panama City Beach arrests involve people who do not live in Florida. Returning home to Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, or anywhere else does not end the case. Florida courts still expect appearances, and a Florida conviction can trigger license action, employment consequences, and reciprocal penalties in your home state.
We routinely represent visiting clients. Where Florida procedure allows, we minimize the in-person appearances you must make, coordinate with out-of-state counsel when useful, and address the administrative license issues that often follow a Florida DUI for non-residents.
What to Do If You Are Arrested in Panama City Beach
The decisions you make in the first hours after a Panama City Beach arrest can shape the rest of your case. A few practical steps:
- Stay quiet. Do not discuss the case with police, cellmates, or anyone on a jail phone. All inmate calls are recorded.
- Decline searches and questioning. Refuse consent to additional searches and ask for a lawyer. Officers must then stop questioning you.
- Get counsel before first appearance. Bond and release conditions are set within 24 hours, and an attorney present can shape both.
- Do not miss any court date. A failure to appear can trigger a new warrant and additional charges.
Talk to a Panama City Beach Defense Attorney Today
If you or someone you care about has been arrested in Panama City Beach, do not wait to seek counsel. DUI arrests carry a strict 10-day window to challenge the administrative suspension of your driver’s license, and early defense work can shape charging decisions, bond conditions, and plea exposure across every type of case. Contact The Sombathy Law Firm to speak with our board-certified Panama City Beach defense attorney.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can The Sombathy Law Firm represent me if I was arrested in Panama City Beach but live out of state?
Yes. We regularly defend out-of-state clients facing charges in Florida. In many cases, we can minimize the number of court appearances you are required to attend in person, and we coordinate the criminal case and any related license issues alongside it.
How is bond set after a Panama City Beach arrest?
Most misdemeanors and lower-level felonies have a preset bond amount that can be posted from the jail. More serious felonies require a first appearance hearing within 24 hours of arrest, where a judge sets bond and any conditions of release.
How quickly should I contact a defense attorney after a Panama City Beach arrest?
Immediately. Florida gives you only 10 days from a DUI arrest to challenge the administrative suspension of your license, and, in any case, the early hours after arrest can shape charging decisions, evidence preservation, and bond outcomes.
