Sarasota County Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving Sarasota, Venice & North Port

If you are facing a criminal charge or an investigation in Sarasota County, you need a lawyer who knows how cases move through the courts there and what happens if a case goes federal. Attorney Ron Frey of The Frey Law Firm, LLC regularly represents people in Sarasota County, from the city of Sarasota and Longboat Key to Venice and North Port.

Start with a phone call. Your consultation is free and confidential: (813) 775-2276 or toll-free (844) 766-3739. Rapid response, 24/7.

Sarasota County Courts: The Twelfth Judicial Circuit

Sarasota County is part of Florida’s Twelfth Judicial Circuit, along with Manatee and DeSoto Counties. The Office of the State Attorney for the Twelfth Judicial Circuit prosecutes state charges. Felony cases are heard in Circuit Court, and misdemeanors and criminal traffic cases, including most DUIs, are heard in County Court.

For court purposes, Sarasota County is split into North County and South County:

• Judge Lynn N. Silvertooth Judicial Center, 2002 Ringling Boulevard, Sarasota, is the main courthouse. Felony cases are heard here, along with first appearance hearings.
• South County Courthouse, 4004 S. Tamiami Trail, Venice, handles all South County court business.

Your paperwork will tell you which courthouse your case is assigned to, so read it carefully. A case can be heard in Venice rather than downtown Sarasota.

Who Makes Arrests in Sarasota County

• Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office covers the unincorporated county.
• Sarasota Police Department, Venice Police Department, North Port Police Department, and Longboat Key Police Department cover their own municipalities.
• Federal agents may be involved in computer, fraud, and drug investigations.

People arrested in the county are booked at the Sheriff’s jail at 2020 Main Street in Sarasota, where intake includes a Pre-Trial Services interview. Under Florida’s rules, a person who is held must see a judge within 24 hours of arrest. In Sarasota, first appearance hearings are held every day of the year, weekends and holidays included, so things can move quickly. Calling a lawyer right away gives you someone speaking for you at that first hearing.

Pretrial Intervention and Treatment Courts

Florida law allows pretrial intervention for some first-time offenders charged with a misdemeanor or a third-degree felony. It requires the consent of the State Attorney and others, and if the program is completed, the charges are dismissed.

The Twelfth Circuit also has a wide range of treatment courts, including Drug Court, Veterans Court, Comprehensive Treatment Court, Health Care Court, and DUI Court. They are generally for lower-level, non-violent cases, and each one has its own application and screening.

None of these options is automatic, and the early steps in a case can affect whether they’re on the table. Learn more about our first-time offender defense.

Charges We Defend in Sarasota County

Attorney Frey represents people in Sarasota County on state and federal charges, including:

• Computer and internet crimes, a major part of his practice, often for first-time offenders
• AI-related investigations, including deepfakes, voice cloning, and AI-assisted fraud
• White collar and financial crimes
• Professional licensing matters tied to a criminal charge
• DUI and traffic offenses
• Drug charges
• Violent crimes
• Sex offenses
• Theft offenses

See all of our criminal defense practice areas.

Federal Cases From Sarasota Go to Tampa

Many people are surprised to learn that a federal case from Sarasota County is not heard in Sarasota. Sarasota County is part of the Tampa Division of the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida, so federal cases go to the Sam M. Gibbons United States Courthouse, 801 N. Florida Avenue in downtown Tampa, the same city as our office.

Attorney Frey is admitted to practice in the Middle District of Florida. Computer, internet, and AI investigations can end up in either state or federal court, and that is often decided early. Learn more about our federal criminal defense.

Call Attorney Ron Frey

Attorney Ron Frey has over 20 years of experience defending people accused of crimes and people under investigation. He will explain your situation in plain English and go over the options that may apply. No lawyer can promise a result, but you can understand where you stand before you make decisions.

Your consultation is free and confidential, by phone, by video, or at our Tampa office, and when the situation calls for it, we can come to you. Call (813) 775-2276 or toll-free (844) 766-3739. Rapid response, 24/7. Learn more about Attorney Ron Frey.

Elsewhere in Florida? We represent clients throughout Florida.

This page provides general information only and is not legal advice. Court locations, agency practices, and program rules can change. Reading this page or contacting The Frey Law Firm, LLC does not create an attorney-client relationship.