Siesta Key DUI Lawyer

Siesta Key draws residents, seasonal visitors, spring breakers and holiday crowds. Only a few roads lead on and off the island. A DUI arrest after a night out on the Key or a day at the beach can leave you with a court date, a license deadline and, for many visitors, a home state hundreds of miles away. Former prosecutor Daniel D. Nawara represents people charged with DUI arising on Siesta Key and elsewhere in Sarasota County.

Which court hears a Siesta Key DUI?

Siesta Key is in Sarasota County, north of Blackburn Point Road. That matters because Twelfth Circuit Administrative Order 2026-12.2 sends misdemeanor and traffic cases from south of Blackburn Point Road to the Venice courthouse. Siesta Key is outside that South County district. A misdemeanor DUI from Siesta Key is normally heard at the Judge Lynn N. Silvertooth Judicial Center, 2002 Ringling Boulevard, Sarasota, not in Venice. Felony DUI cases are heard there as well.

Check your notice and Sarasota ClerkNet for the courtroom and time. Downtown parking, security screening and the separate Justice Center building across the street can confuse first-time visitors. Read the Sarasota criminal court guide before your date.

Who makes DUI arrests on Siesta Key?

Siesta Key is unincorporated, so the Sarasota County Sheriff's Office is the primary law enforcement agency. The Sheriff's Office runs a Siesta Key substation in the Public Safety Building at Siesta Beach Park. Local reporting describes extra deputies on the Key during spring break and the Fourth of July. The Florida Highway Patrol (Troop F covers Sarasota County) may also make DUI arrests on the bridges and mainland roads leading to the Key. A stop on the mainland after leaving the island may fall in another jurisdiction. Inside the City of Sarasota, for example, that would be the Sarasota Police Department.

Most arrestees are taken to the Sarasota County jail at 2020 Main Street. The Sheriff's Office describes its pre-booking area as set up for agencies to perform Intoxilyzer breath tests in DUI cases. Reports and video come from the arresting agency.

Common Siesta Key DUI situations

The legal rules are the same statewide. The facts often have a local flavor:

Leaving the Village or a beach event. Stops often happen on the routes off the Key. The reason for the stop, and whether the video supports it, is a common first question.
Parked or sleeping in a vehicle. Florida's DUI law covers "actual physical control," not just driving (s. 316.193(1)). See DUI in a parked car.
Golf carts and low-speed vehicles. Whether DUI applies depends on the vehicle and the facts. Raise the details with counsel.
Out-of-state visitors. A Florida suspension affects your privilege to drive in Florida and may be reported to your home state. Court dates still have to be handled. See our guide for visiting drivers.
Boats in the Intracoastal or the Gulf. Boating under the influence is a separate offense under chapter 327.

The 10-day license deadline

After a breath result of 0.08 or higher, or a refusal, the officer usually issues a notice of suspension that doubles as a 10-day temporary permit. Section 322.2615 gives you 10 days to request formal or informal review, or to ask about a restricted license. The administrative suspension is:

6 months for a first unlawful-BAC suspension.
1 year for a first refusal.
18 months after a prior refusal suspension.

Read the 10-day rule and formal review hearings.

Penalties and defenses

For a first conviction, section 316.193 provides:

A fine of $500 to $1,000 and up to 6 months in jail.
A fine of $1,000 to $2,000 and up to 9 months if the BAC was 0.15 or higher, or a passenger under 18 was in the vehicle.
Probation, 50 hours of community service, DUI school and 10 days of vehicle impoundment.

The court must also revoke your license for 180 days to 1 year (s. 322.28). See first DUI and high BAC DUI.

A defense review often looks at:

The stop and the roadside exercises. Sand, uneven pavement, footwear and lighting can matter.
Compliance with FDLE breath-testing rules.
Whether statements were lawfully obtained.

Learn more about field sobriety tests, breath test defense and DUI vs. reckless driving.

Frequently asked questions

Is a Siesta Key DUI heard in Venice?

Usually not. Siesta Key lies north of Blackburn Point Road, the boundary of the South County Judicial District. Misdemeanor DUI cases from the Key are normally heard at the Silvertooth Judicial Center in downtown Sarasota. Follow your notice.

Who arrested me if it happened on the Key?

Usually the Sarasota County Sheriff's Office, which has a Siesta Key substation. FHP or Sarasota Police may be involved for stops on the bridges or the mainland. Your paperwork will name the agency.

I was visiting from another state. Do I have to fly back?

It depends on the hearing and the court's requirements. Some appearances can be handled through counsel, and others require you to attend. Confirm each date rather than assuming.

Can I get a DUI on a golf cart?

Florida's DUI statute applies to driving or being in actual physical control of a "vehicle." Whether a particular cart or low-speed vehicle fits, and the consequences, depend on the facts.

What should I do first?

Note the 10-day deadline on your suspension notice, keep your paperwork together, write down the timeline while you remember it, and get legal advice before deciding on license options.

Talk with a Sarasota County DUI lawyer

Call (941) 920-5514 or request a free consultation. The office is in downtown Sarasota, a short drive from Siesta Key and the courthouse. Ask about fees and payment plans. See also Sarasota DUI defense.

Updated October 1, 2026. General information only, not legal advice. Court assignments and procedures can change; your notice and orders control. No outcome is guaranteed. Contacting the firm does not by itself create an attorney-client relationship.

Sources: Fla. Stat. § 316.193, § 322.2615, § 322.28; AO 2026-12.2; Silvertooth Judicial Center; Sheriff jail booking; FHP Troop F.

What Happens After a DUI Arrest in Florida?