Venice Criminal Defense Lawyer

An arrest or notice to appear in Venice starts a Sarasota County criminal case. Where the case is heard, who prosecutes it and what happens next depend on the charge. Venice also has its own courthouse, and that creates questions people do not expect. Former prosecutor Daniel D. Nawara, who previously served in the Twelfth Judicial Circuit State Attorney's Office, represents people charged with misdemeanors, felonies, DUI and juvenile offenses arising in Venice, Nokomis, Osprey, the Sarasota County side of Englewood and nearby south-county communities.

Venice has a courthouse, but not for every case

Sarasota County's South County Courthouse is at 4004 South Tamiami Trail, Venice, FL 34293. The court says the two-story building opened in 2022 and has four courtrooms. Twelfth Circuit Administrative Order 2026-12.2 defines the South County Judicial District as Sarasota County land south of Blackburn Point Road. Under that order:

Misdemeanor and criminal traffic cases arising in the district are docketed at the South County Courthouse. That includes most first DUIs, petit theft, simple battery, DWLS and similar charges. South County Criminal Divisions E and F hear these county-court matters.
Felony and juvenile cases are docketed, filed and heard in north Sarasota County, at the Judge Lynn N. Silvertooth Judicial Center, 2002 Ringling Boulevard, Sarasota. That is true even when the arrest happened in Venice.

A defendant who stays in jail on a south-county misdemeanor is moved to the downtown Sarasota courthouse. Your notice is the final word. Confirm the courtroom and time through Sarasota ClerkNet. The court lists free parking in the lots around the South County Courthouse. See the Sarasota criminal court guide.

Who investigates and arrests in Venice?

Venice Police Department. Inside the city limits, including the island of Venice and the downtown area.
Sarasota County Sheriff's Office. In unincorporated areas such as South Venice, Nokomis and Osprey. The Sheriff's Office keeps a South County office at 4531 Annex Road, Venice.
Florida Highway Patrol (Troop F). On I-75 and state highways. FHP lists a Venice station at 680 US 41 Bypass North.

There is no jail in Venice. Adult arrestees are generally booked at the Sarasota County Correctional Facility, 2020 Main Street, Sarasota. If a family member was arrested, use the Sheriff's inmate search and read about first appearance and bond.

The Twelfth Circuit State Attorney's Office lists a Venice office at the South County Courthouse complex. Its main Sarasota office is downtown at 2071 Ringling Boulevard, across from the courthouse where felony cases are heard.

Charges we handle for Venice clients

DUI and license issues. See Venice DUI.
Misdemeanors. For example, petit theft, battery, resisting without violence and DWLS. See misdemeanor defense.
Felonies. For example, grand theft, aggravated assault and battery and drug possession. See felony defense.
Domestic violence and injunctions. See domestic violence and injunction defense.
Probation violations and juvenile cases. See VOP and juvenile defense.
Boating under the influence on the Intracoastal or the Gulf. See BUI defense.

What happens after a Venice arrest

Release. A person may be released on a notice to appear, post a bond set by schedule, or see a judge at first appearance, where release conditions are set.
Formal charging. The State Attorney reviews the reports and decides what to file. The charge filed can differ from the arrest charge.
Arraignment and discovery. The defense gets the evidence, including reports, video, 911 audio, lab results and witness lists.
Pretrial. Motions, negotiations, diversion requests and trial preparation happen here.
Resolution. This can be a dismissal, diversion, a plea or a trial.

Read more on what happens after an arrest.

Penalty basics

Under section 775.082, Florida Statutes, the maximum terms are:

Degree Maximum term Maximum fine (s. 775.083) Second-degree misdemeanor 60 days $500 First-degree misdemeanor 1 year $1,000 Third-degree felony 5 years $5,000 Second-degree felony 15 years $10,000 First-degree felony 30 years $10,000

Felony sentencing also runs through the Criminal Punishment Code scoresheet. Some offenses carry mandatory minimums. These are statutory limits, not predictions.

Options worth discussing

Depending on the charge and your history, options may include:

Challenging a stop, search or statement.
Contesting the elements of the offense.
Pretrial intervention under section 948.08.
A treatment-court referral.
A negotiated resolution that may include a withhold of adjudication, where the law allows it.

See pretrial diversion and withhold vs. conviction.

Frequently asked questions

Will my Venice case be heard in Venice?

Misdemeanor and criminal traffic cases arising south of Blackburn Point Road are docketed at the South County Courthouse in Venice. Felony and juvenile cases are heard in downtown Sarasota. Your notice controls.

Where is someone taken after an arrest in Venice?

Adults arrested in Sarasota County are generally booked into the county jail at 2020 Main Street in Sarasota. Venice does not have its own jail.

Should I talk to Venice police about the case?

You have the right to remain silent and to consult a lawyer. Before any interview, read police questioning before arrest and get advice.

Can the alleged victim drop the charges?

The State Attorney decides whether to file or continue charges. Read can a victim drop charges.

Talk with a Venice criminal defense lawyer

Call (941) 920-5514 or request a free consultation. Bring your paperwork and court dates. Ask about scope, fees and payment plans. Learn about Daniel.

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: AO 2026-12.2; South County Courthouse; Twelfth Circuit Criminal Division; SAO12 offices; Sarasota Sheriff locations; FHP Troop F; Fla. Stat. § 775.082, § 775.083, § 948.08.