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Best Criminal Defense Lawyers in Sarasota, FL

Our Recommended Top 14

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Our goal is to connect people with the best local professionals. We scored Sarasota criminal defense lawyers on more than 25 variables across five categories, and analyzed the results to give you a hand-picked list of the best.

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14Top Picks

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Providers

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2060 Ringling Blvd., Sarasota, FL 34237

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
5.0 (134)
Avvo
5.0 (117)
Yelp
5.0 (3)

Why choose this provider?

Musca Law protects the rights of clients facing criminal charges in Sarasota. It assists with federal and state criminal cases and investigations, including those that involve DUI, concealed weapons, disorderly conduct, public corruption, violent crimes, and juvenile crimes. The firm is headed by John Musca, who previously served in the 20th Judicial Circuit of Florida as a public defender. Musca Law's attorneys have over 150 years of combined experience, with some included in The National Trial Lawyers' Top 100 Trial Lawyers list.

  • Stalking
  • White Collar Crimes
  • Trespassing
  • Theft & Burglary
  • Possession of Stolen Property
  • Theft Crimes
  • Boating Under the Influence
  • Resisting Arrest without Violence
  • Juvenile Crimes
  • Injunction

677 North Washington Boulevard, Sarasota, FL 34236
WebsiteLicense: 463345

Expertise.com Rating

Why choose this provider?

Renowned criminal defense attorney Darryl Mitchell offers top-notch legal counsel to clients in Sarasota and throughout Florida. Mitchell consistently handles cases related to DUI charges, drug offenses, and other complicated criminal issues, blending his legal expertise with a relentless commitment to achieving optimal results for his clients. With extensive expertise in every aspect of criminal defense, he adeptly handles chain of custody concerns and investigates witness credibility, recognizing that an adequately prepared defense is essential for success. Mitchell has a strong track record of success in criminal trials and is committed to safeguarding his clients' rights, reducing penalties, and helping them through the entire process.

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  • Real Estate
  • Criminal Defense

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Darryl Mitchell - OwnerActive24 yrs

Sarasota, FL

Expertise.com Rating

Why choose this provider?

Need help contacting a Criminal Defense Attorney in Sarasota? Call our Concierge team at 848-Book-Pro (848-266-5776 from 6 am - 4 pm PT | Mon - Fri). They are standing by to help you get the service you need.

2170 Main Street, Sarasota, FL 34237

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
3.9 (7)

Why choose this provider?

Knowles, Bouziane & Shaffer Law, LLC, provides criminal defense services with a focus on protecting the rights of individuals in Sarasota facing a range of charges. The firm’s attorneys, who have backgrounds as prosecutors, bring extensive trial experience and a deep understanding of the Florida legal system to their defense practice. They handle cases involving drug offenses, DUIs, domestic violence, theft, and misdemeanors and felonies, offering strategic representation tailored to each client’s circumstances. The firm has been facilitating accessible legal resources since 2013.

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
William Shaffer - Founding PartnerActive16 yrs

100 Wallace Avenue, Sarasota, FL 34237

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
5.0 (10)

Why choose this provider?

A Sarasota-based law firm, Glenn & Hibbert, P.A. provides criminal defense services. The firm's attorneys have a cumulative experience of 25 years and utilize this knowledge in representing their clients, negotiating with law enforcement, conducting thorough investigations, and obtaining witness statements. The firm also handles cases of driving under the influence, other types of misdemeanors, violations on probation and parole, and felonies. It has a successful track record in attaining shorter sentencing and parole availability, if not the dismissal of charges.

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Andrew Hibbert - Managing PartnerActive14 yrs
Colleen Glenn - Founder / OwnerActive22 yrs

2075 Main Street, Sarasota, FL 34237

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.0 (1)

Why choose this provider?

Suarez, Rios & Weinberg, P.A., is a litigation firm serving residents in Sarasota and across Florida. Its attorneys provide personal attention to each criminal defense case, helping clients protect their reputation. They handle misdemeanor and felony cases, including prostitution, marijuana possession, petty theft and shoplifting, and public drunkenness. They also represent defendants who have been arrested for armed robbery, domestic violence, assault and battery, murder or manslaughter, vehicular homicide, and carjacking. The practice has advocated for clients' rights for over 15 years.

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Christopher Brown - PartnerActive23 yrs
Rene Suarez - PartnerActive24 yrs

2075 Main Street, Sarasota, FL 34237

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Avvo
5.0 (84)
Google
5.0 (71)

Why choose this provider?

Fowler Law Group is a team of attorneys serving the residents of Sarasota, Florida. The law firm provides criminal defense representation to individuals who have been accused of sex crimes, marijuana possession, DUI, domestic violence, and disorderly conduct. It also protects clients throughout the course of criminal processing, from the initial booking and custody to sentencing. Fowler Law Group has members who have been named among the Top 100 Criminal Defense Lawyers by The National Trial Lawyers.

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Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
James Fowler - Co-Founder and Managing PartnerActive17 yrs

1801 North Lockwood Ridge Road, Sarasota, FL 34234

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
5.0 (50)

Why choose this provider?

As a member of the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, The Law Offices of Daniel D. Nawara, P.A., serves clients in Sarasota and the rest of Florida. It represents individuals accused of criminal offenses, such as DUI, theft, assault, and battery. It also handles cases involving probation violations and juvenile charges. Daniel Nawara gives back to the community by volunteering as a judge for the Teen Court. He also received the William F. Blews Pro Bono Service Award after graduating from law school.

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Daniel Nawara - Managing OwnerActive9 yrs

1188 Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL 34236

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.7 (19)

Why choose this provider?

Aiken and O'Halloran of Sarasota is a law firm that has been delivering criminal defense services to the residents of Sarasota and across Florida since 2002. It represents and supports clients dealing with various criminal charges, including DUI and DWI, drug trafficking, aggravated battery, assault, domestic violence, and probation violations. It assists clients in exploring their legal options and creates strategies that can help achieve positive results. The law office's attorneys have over 60 years of collective legal experience.

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Peter Aiken - Founding PartnerActive54 yrs

46 North Washington Boulevard, Sarasota, FL 34236

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.7 (25)

Why choose this provider?

The Law Office of Baily & Baily, P.A., offers legal counsel and criminal defense in Sarasota and the rest of Florida. Its practice includes handling cases such as traffic offenses, expungement of records, criminal appeals, asset seizures and forfeitures, and white-collar crimes. The firm also defends people who have been accused of domestic violence, drug charges, DUI, juvenile crimes, theft, and violation of probation. The law office has been operating for at least two generations.

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Alan Baily - PrincipalActive27 yrs

950 South Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL 34236

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.8 (23)
Avvo
4.8 (10)
Facebook
5.0 (7)

Why choose this provider?

Michael Fayard, Attorney at Law handles a broad spectrum of criminal defense cases in Sarasota, emphasizing tailored legal strategies to protect clients' rights. It defends individuals facing charges such as drug offenses, DUIs, white-collar crimes, theft, violent crimes, and sex offenses. It approaches each case by conducting thorough evaluations, developing customized defense strategies, and upholding constitutional protections like those against unlawful searches and seizures. The firm has handled over 3,000 cases and has worked on the dismissal of more than 100 criminal charges to date all over Florida.

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Michael Fayard - PrincipalActive17 yrs

46 North Washington Boulevard, Sarasota, FL 34236

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.6 (22)

Why choose this provider?

Van Ness Law Group is a Sarasota-based law firm that provides high-quality legal representation in the area of criminal defense. Varinia Van Ness has been handling criminal defense cases for more than 30 years. She is a former prosecutor from 1991 to 1998 where she learned various motion practices that she uses in her criminal defense practice. Aside from Sarasota, she also caters to clients from Charlotte, Desoto, Hillsborough, Manatee, and Pinellas. Her office can offer its services in English, French, Italian, and Spanish.

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Varinia Van ness - PrincipalActive34 yrs

1269 1st Street, Sarasota, FL 34236

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
5.0 (23)

Why choose this provider?

The Dunn Law Firm provides aggressive criminal defense representation in Florida, including Sarasota. Its team challenges various felony and misdemeanor charges, such as DUI, domestic violence, aggravated assault, and vandalism. It also assists individuals seeking to have their criminal records destroyed or sealed, giving them the opportunity to take a second chance at life. Principal attorney Adam Dunn served in the 12th Judicial Circuit Public Defender Office. He is also a member of the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Adam Dunn - PrincipalActive12 yrs

1800 2nd Street, Sarasota, FL 34236

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.1 (9)

Why choose this provider?

The Collins Law Group provides personalized services to families and individuals in Sarasota and across Florida. It handles a variety of criminal cases and performs extensive research on every detail relating to the incident to build the client's side of the story. The firm takes on matters involving sexual battery and molestation, vehicular manslaughter, fraud, homicide, DUI, and record sealing. It also addresses misdemeanor, juvenile, and felony issues. The team maintains an affiliation with the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Peter Collins - PrincipalActive29 yrs

Compare our Top Criminal Defense Lawyers

NameExpertise RatingAddressPromotionsLearn more
Musca Law
2060 Ringling Blvd., Sarasota, FL 34237Free consultation
Darryl Mitchell Law Group
677 North Washington Boulevard, Sarasota, FL 34236Free Consultation
Bouziane and Shaffer Law
2170 Main Street, Sarasota, FL 34237
Glenn & Hibbert, P.A.
100 Wallace Avenue, Sarasota, FL 34237
Brown, Suarez, Rios & Weinberg, P.A. - Sarasota
2075 Main Street, Sarasota, FL 34237
Fowler Law Group
2075 Main Street, Sarasota, FL 34237
The Law Offices of Daniel D. Nawara, P.A.
1801 North Lockwood Ridge Road, Sarasota, FL 34234
Aiken and O'Halloran of Sarasota
1188 Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL 34236
Law Office of Baily & Baily, P.A.
46 North Washington Boulevard, Sarasota, FL 34236
Michael Fayard, Attorney at law
950 South Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL 34236
Van Ness Law Group
46 North Washington Boulevard, Sarasota, FL 34236
The Dunn Law Firm
1269 1st Street, Sarasota, FL 34236
The Collins Law Group
1800 2nd Street, Sarasota, FL 34236

Disclaimer:  Consumers utilizing Expertise.com are free to communicate and contract with any lawyer they choose. Expertise.com is not involved in the confidential attorney-client relationship. Featured lawyers pay a reasonable advertising cost to market their legal services with Expertise.com and must meet similar selection criteria as other lawyers. All cases are different. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

Sarasota, FL Criminal Defense FAQs

  • What is the non-emergency contact number for the local police station in Sarasota, Florida?

    The non-emergency contact number of the Sarasota Police Department is 941-316-1199.

  • Where can I get a copy of police reports for incidents related to my case in Sarasota, Florida?

    To make a public request for a record in the city of Sarasota, you can contact its Records Unit by phone at 941-263-6045 or by fax at 941-263-6047. You can also email your request to spdpublicrecords@sarasotafl.gov. The Records Unit is located at 2099 Adams Lane and is open to the public on weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

  • What are the penalties for violent crimes in Sarasota?

    The penalties for violent crimes in Sarasota vary depending on the crime committed and the victim. First-degree murder, for instance, is a capital felony, which means it is subject to life in prison or the death penalty. Second-degree murder is a first-degree felony and is potentially subject to life in prison.

  • What are the possible defenses for violent crimes in Sarasota?

    In Sarasota, potential violent crime defenses include insanity, mistaken identity, lack of intent, self-defense, and duress. However, the availability of these defenses and their effectiveness depend on a case's specific circumstances. It is always recommended to consult with a Sarasota criminal defense attorney to understand the best possible strategy in a case.

  • What are the penalties for probation violations in Sarasota?

    In Sarasota, the penalties for probation violations depend on the type of violation. In most cases, people with one technical violation will not need to spend time in prison, but multiple violations can result in a prison sentence. Substantive violations can also lead to another criminal trial and potentially more severe penalties. If you are facing probation violation charges, hiring an experienced criminal defense lawyer is important.

  • Is reckless driving a crime in Sarasota?

    Yes, reckless driving is considered a criminal misdemeanor and is a crime in Sarasota. Willfully disregarding the safety of other people and property is considered reckless driving and can result in a year-long prison sentence if convicted. Some examples of reckless driving behaviors in Sarasota include driving 30 miles per hour or more above the speed limit, passing a stopped school bus with its lights flashing, and committing aggressive driving behavior.

  • What are some common offenses related to obstruction of justice in Sarasota?

    In Sarasota, some common offenses related to obstruction of justice include resisting a police officer, impersonating a police officer, supplying tools to help an inmate escape from jail, fleeing or avoiding a law enforcement officer, and intentionally failing to offer medical attention to crime victims.