If you were recently charged with a crime, and you're looking for a lawyer to help with your case, you should start researching in your own home. Have a list of several criminal lawyers that are potentially right for you, and then begin the research process.
The Process
First, do a Google search of your lawyer's name. Focus on results in the Tampa area. You can find out a lot about his or her reputation, this way, and you can see the top results containing his or her name, including recent court headlines. Next, go to a website that has reviews of lawyers. Read testimonials about criminal lawyers in the area, and hear firsthand experiences and stories from people who may have had similar cases to yours. You might consider searching the Tampa Bay Times' archives for any past stories where the lawyer might have been mentioned. Last, you can check with the Florida bar to make sure your potential criminal lawyer is in good standing.