Arrested for DUI? Start with a clear plan.
Daniel D. Nawara is a Sarasota DUI defense lawyer and former prosecutor. The Law Offices of Daniel D. Nawara, P.A., at 240 N. Washington Blvd., Suite 460, Sarasota, defends people charged with DUI in Sarasota and Manatee counties, in both the criminal case and the driver-license suspension that comes with it.
Consultations are free. Fees are flat and payment plans are available. Call or text (941) 920-5514, including nights and weekends.
A DUI arrest can leave you worried about driving to work, your court date, and what a conviction could mean for your future. Former prosecutor Daniel D. Nawara helps people facing DUI charges in Sarasota and surrounding communities understand the decisions ahead.
Start with a free consultation. Discuss the arrest, any license-suspension notice, your upcoming dates, and the scope and cost of representation. Payment plans are available.
Call (941) 920-5514 or request a consultation online.
Three things to do now
Keep your paperwork together. Have your citation, suspension notice, release conditions, and court notices available.
Check the license issue promptly. A criminal court date does not replace the separate administrative review deadline. Do not assume you remain eligible to drive.
Prepare your questions. Tell Daniel about work, school, and family responsibilities that matter when discussing your options.
You can contact the firm even if you do not have every document. Learn more about Daniel's background and the DUI case process.
Need to plan for the cost or your next court date? Review DUI flat fees and payment plans and our Sarasota criminal court guide, then contact the office to discuss your situation.
How Daniel evaluates a DUI defense
Daniel D. Nawara has practiced criminal law in Florida since 2016. He spent three years at the State Attorney’s Office in Sarasota, where he prosecuted both misdemeanor and felony cases. He has tried numerous jury and non-jury trials and is not afraid to take a case to trial. Since opening his defense firm he has handled hundreds of DUI cases of every type: first offenses, refusals, high breath-alcohol readings, crashes, drug-based DUI and felony DUI.
A useful defense begins with the evidence and the circumstances of your arrest. Daniel's former-prosecutor experience informs a review of what the State alleges and what it can establish. Depending on the case, that review may address:
The reason for the traffic stop and the basis for the arrest.
Body-camera or dash-camera recordings, officer reports, and witness accounts.
Field sobriety exercises, the instructions given, and relevant physical or medical circumstances.
Breath, blood, or urine testing, including the request, procedures, records, and results.
Evidence about who was driving or in actual physical control of the vehicle.
The facts determine whether there is a basis to challenge evidence, negotiate a resolution, or prepare for trial. An arrest alone does not establish guilt, and no particular outcome can be promised.
During your consultation, ask what records are needed, what issues require further investigation, and how you will receive updates.
Documented Sarasota DUI result
DUI charge declined — Sarasota County, March 2025. The redacted notice states that the State declined the listed DUI/unlawful blood-alcohol-level charge, without prejudice to resume prosecution. See page 18 of the records linked from our criminal and DUI case results.
This is a selected past outcome, not a trial acquittal or a prediction for another case. The notice does not explain why the charge was declined. Every case depends on its facts and evidence; past results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Your license and Florida's 10-day review deadline
The DUI criminal case and an administrative license suspension involve separate decisions. Under section 322.2615, Florida Statutes, a driver may request formal or informal review within 10 days after issuance of the suspension notice. An eligible driver's temporary permit generally expires at midnight on the tenth day following that notice.
Some drivers may qualify for a restricted-license route under section 322.271(7). Eligibility depends on prior DUI convictions, administrative suspensions, disqualifications, and other requirements. Accepting reinstatement through that route waives formal and informal review of the suspension.
Eligibility does not guarantee same-day approval. Discuss the alternatives before choosing a route, and confirm your actual driving privileges before driving. Bring the suspension notice to your consultation so its date and requirements can be reviewed.
Call about a recent DUI arrest or read the detailed license guide below.
What could a Florida DUI conviction mean?
Section 316.193, Florida Statutes, addresses DUI involving impairment of normal faculties or an unlawful blood or breath alcohol level while driving or in actual physical control of a vehicle.
For an ordinary first conviction, the statutory fine is $500–$1,000 and the maximum jail term is six months. A first conviction involving an alcohol level of at least 0.15 or a passenger under 18 carries a $1,000–$2,000 fine and up to nine months in jail. These are statutory ranges and maximums, not a prediction of your sentence.
A second conviction carries a $1,000–$2,000 fine and up to nine months in jail, with at least 10 days in jail if the offense falls within five years of a prior conviction. A third DUI within 10 years of a prior conviction, or a fourth DUI at any time, is a felony punishable by up to five years in prison. See the second DUI page and the felony DUI defense page.
Probation, DUI school, community service, vehicle immobilization, and other requirements can also apply. Prior convictions, crashes, injuries, and other circumstances can substantially change the consequences. Daniel can discuss the provisions relevant to your charge and offense date.
The guide below explains first-offense issues in more detail. For advice about your own circumstances, schedule a free consultation.
| Conviction | Fine | Jail or prison | License revocation | Ignition interlock | Vehicle impound |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First DUI | $500 to $1,000 | Up to 6 months | 180 days to 1 year | If the court orders it | 10 days |
| First DUI, 0.15 or higher, or a passenger under 18 | $1,000 to $2,000 | Up to 9 months | 180 days to 1 year | At least 6 months | 10 days |
| Second DUI | $1,000 to $2,000 | Up to 9 months. At least 10 days if within 5 years of a prior conviction | At least 5 years if within 5 years of a prior conviction | At least 1 year | 30 days if within 5 years |
| Second DUI, 0.15 or higher, or a passenger under 18 | $2,000 to $4,000 | Up to 12 months | Same as second DUI | At least 2 years | 30 days if within 5 years |
| Third DUI within 10 years | Set by the court | Third-degree felony: up to 5 years in prison, at least 30 days in jail | At least 10 years | At least 2 years | 90 days |
| Fourth or later DUI | At least $2,000 | Third-degree felony: up to 5 years in prison | Permanent | As ordered | As ordered |
Sources: sections 316.193 and 322.28, Florida Statutes (2026). A first conviction also carries probation of up to one year, at least 50 hours of community service and a DUI program course. These are statutory ranges, not a prediction of any sentence. Crashes, injuries and prior history change them.
How to choose the best DUI attorney in Sarasota
The best DUI attorney for your situation should be evaluated using specific facts: relevant experience, a plan for reviewing the evidence, attention to license deadlines, clear communication and an explained fee. Ask who will handle your case and whether administrative license proceedings are included.
Looking for a top attorney? Questions to ask
What issues in my stop, testing or refusal need investigation?
What deadlines apply to my license and criminal case?
Who will communicate with me, and what services does the fee cover?
What is the source and date of any award or rating I am considering?
How hiring Daniel works
Start with a conversation. Discuss the charge, upcoming dates, and your concerns during a free consultation.
Understand the proposed representation. Review what services are included, the quoted fee, and available payment arrangements. Ask how the criminal case and any license matter will be handled.
Confirm the agreement and next steps. If you decide to hire the firm, complete the engagement requirements and confirm the immediate tasks and communication arrangements.
Contacting the firm does not by itself establish an attorney-client relationship. Representation begins when the firm accepts the engagement under the agreed terms.
Do you offer payment plans?
Yes. The fee and payment schedule depend on the case and services requested. Discuss your budget and ask what is included before deciding. See DUI fees and payment options.
Can I call about a family member?
Yes. The office can discuss how to arrange a consultation and what general information is needed. The attorney will address consent, confidentiality, and whom the firm would represent.
Ready to discuss your next step? Call (941) 920-5514 or use the consultation link below.
Reviewed by Daniel D. Nawara, Florida Bar No. 123626. Updated October 4, 2026. General information, not legal advice. Every case depends on its facts and the law that applies. No outcome is guaranteed.
Sarasota DUI court dates and DETER
Where will my Sarasota DUI case be heard?
The Judge Lynn N. Silvertooth Judicial Center is at 2002 Ringling Boulevard, Sarasota, FL 34237. Check your own court notice for the assigned courthouse, courtroom, date and appearance requirements; Sarasota County also has other court locations. Our Sarasota criminal court guide explains how to prepare for a scheduled hearing.
Cases from Venice, North Port and Englewood may be set at the South County Courthouse, 4004 S. Tamiami Trail, Venice, FL 34293, rather than the Silvertooth Judicial Center in Sarasota. Your court notice controls.
Who makes DUI arrests in Sarasota County?
Most DUI arrests here come from the Sarasota Police Department, the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office and the Florida Highway Patrol, along with the North Port, Venice and Longboat Key police departments. Each agency keeps its own reports and recordings, which are reviewed as part of the defense.
What happens after a Sarasota DUI arrest?
Arrest and booking. You receive a citation and, usually, a license suspension notice.
Release. Release conditions are set, often at a first appearance.
Within 10 days. Decide how to handle the license suspension.
Arraignment. The formal charge is read and a plea is entered. A lawyer can often handle this for you.
Evidence review. Your lawyer obtains the reports, video and testing records, and may file motions.
Resolution. The case ends by dismissal, a negotiated outcome such as DETER, or trial.
Could DETER be an option for my first DUI?
The Twelfth Judicial Circuit State Attorney publishes the DETER initiative for certain first-time, non-aggravated DUI cases. Eligibility depends on the charge, prior history, aggravating circumstances and the prosecutor's individual review. Being a first-time offender does not guarantee acceptance.
DETER involves requirements before a plea and may lead to a reckless-driving resolution with probation and other conditions. It is not an automatic dismissal. Review the actual written offer, deadlines and costs with counsel before deciding whether it fits your case. The criminal-case program does not itself resolve an administrative driver-license suspension.
Call (941) 920-5514 about your Sarasota DUI or request a free consultation. Have your citation, suspension notice and upcoming court dates available if you have them.
Local resource information checked September 29, 2026. Program requirements and court arrangements can change; the current case-specific instructions control.
Questions for a Sarasota DUI attorney
How much does a DUI lawyer cost in Sarasota?
It depends on the charge and whether the case goes to trial. The consultation is free and payment plans are available. See the cost of a DUI lawyer in Sarasota.
Will I lose my license after a DUI arrest in Sarasota?
The administrative suspension starts at arrest, and you have 10 days from the notice to request a review or apply for a hardship license. A conviction brings a separate court-ordered revocation. See the 10-day rule.
Can a DUI be reduced to reckless driving in Florida?
In some cases. It depends on the evidence, the breath or blood result and your record. See DUI vs. reckless driving.
Should I refuse the breath test in Florida?
That depends on your situation, but refusing has its own consequences. A first refusal brings a one-year license suspension, and a second or later refusal brings 18 months. Under section 316.1939, Florida Statutes, as amended in 2025, a first refusal is also a second-degree misdemeanor and a later refusal is a first-degree misdemeanor. See refusing a breath test.
Will I go to jail for a first DUI in Florida?
Not necessarily. For an ordinary first conviction the statute sets a maximum of six months, not a required jail term. The maximum is nine months if the alcohol level was 0.15 or higher or a passenger under 18 was in the vehicle. Probation, community service and DUI school are required. See first DUI in Florida.
How long will my license be suspended after a DUI arrest?
There are two separate actions. The administrative suspension that starts at arrest is six months for a breath or blood result of 0.08 or higher (one year if you have a prior), and one year for a first refusal. A conviction brings a separate court-ordered revocation of 180 days to one year for a first DUI.
Can I drive after a DUI arrest?
If you are otherwise eligible, the suspension notice works as a 10-day temporary permit. After that you need a restricted or hardship license, or a successful review of the suspension. Confirm your status before you drive. See hardship license.
Do I have to go to court for my DUI?
Follow your court notice unless your lawyer tells you otherwise. In many misdemeanor DUI cases an attorney can file a waiver and appear for you at routine hearings. Some hearings require you in person.
Will I need an ignition interlock device?
For a first conviction it is required for at least six months if the alcohol level was 0.15 or higher or a passenger under 18 was in the vehicle; otherwise it is up to the court. A second conviction requires at least one year.
Can a DUI be sealed or expunged in Florida?
A DUI conviction cannot be sealed or expunged, and Florida law does not allow a judge to withhold adjudication on a DUI. If the charge is dropped, dismissed or ends in an acquittal, the arrest record may qualify. See sealing and expungement.
Explore related DUI questions
Find more information about testing, the court process, fees, and local representation.
Second DUI in Florida: Review the five-year rule, potential penalties, license consequences, and defense issues.
Prescription drug DUI defense: Learn how impairment allegations, prescriptions, drug testing, and other evidence may affect the case.
Felony DUI defense: When a third or fourth DUI, or a DUI crash with serious injury, is charged as a felony.
Refusing a breath test, DUI for CDL holders and boating under the influence.
First and under-21 DUI pages: first DUI in Sarasota, first DUI in Bradenton and under-21 DUI in Florida. Just arrested: what to do after a DUI arrest in Sarasota County or Manatee County.
Related charges: driving while license suspended, no valid driver’s license and the Florida boating under the influence guide.
Local DUI defense pages: Siesta Key, Venice, North Port, Longboat Key, Lakewood Ranch, Palmetto, DeSoto County, Hillsborough County and Pinellas County.
Driver license decisions after a DUI arrest
Florida DUI formal review hearings: Learn about challenging an administrative suspension and the role of officer testimony.
Hardship license eligibility and denials: Understand restricted driving, required documents, and questions to ask before choosing a license option.
Are field sobriety tests mandatory in Florida? Read how roadside exercises differ from chemical testing.
More answers from the legal blog
For a case in Manatee County, see our Bradenton DUI defense page.