Land O' Lakes, Florida
Criminal Defense Attorneys Serving Land O' Lakes, Pasco County
DUI, drug crimes, traffic offenses, felonies, misdemeanors, and juvenile matters. Twenty years of courtroom experience. Land O’ Lakes DUIs, drug possession cases from US-41 stops, and misdemeanor matters are handled by David Walkowiak personally with twenty years of Florida criminal defense experience.
How we approach criminal defense matters in Land O' Lakes
Land O' Lakes is our closest neighbor. Our office sits on State Road 54 just east of the Land O' Lakes line. We handle matters for Land O' Lakes residents every week, from Connerton retirees updating wills to Ballantrae families navigating divorce to small business owners on US-41 defending creditor lawsuits. Our proximity means same-day appointments are often possible, and our familiarity with Pasco County courts means Land O' Lakes clients never have to explain how the system works.
Pasco County courts and local practice notes
Pasco criminal cases split between East and West Pasco divisions, and we handle DUIs, drug cases, and misdemeanors in both.
Directions from Land O' Lakes: From most of Land O' Lakes, take US-41 or Collier Parkway to SR-54 and head east. Our office is about 5–10 minutes from central Land O' Lakes. Metered parking available on-site.
About our criminal defense practice
An accusation of a crime is damaging long before a verdict is entered. Reputation, employment, housing, family relationships, and immigration status can all be affected by a charge that has not yet been proven. That is why the first hours after an arrest or investigation matter so much, and why it pays to call a lawyer rather than wait.
Two decades of Florida criminal courtroom experience
Criminal defense at DHW Law is handled by David Walkowiak, who began his career as an Assistant Public Defender representing clients in the Florida trial courts when they had no other resources. Since 1997, that experience has shaped the firm’s approach to criminal defense: early intervention, aggressive motion practice, and candid conversations with clients about what is realistic and what is not.
Cases we handle
- DUI defense. First offense, subsequent offenses, commercial license holders.
- Drug crimes. Possession, trafficking, paraphernalia, prescription fraud.
- Traffic offenses. Reckless driving, driving on a suspended license, hit and run.
- Felony charges. Theft, fraud, burglary, weapons charges.
- Misdemeanor charges. Battery, trespass, disorderly conduct.
- Juvenile crimes. Defending minors in juvenile court.
- Domestic violence. Accusations of battery or violation of an injunction.
- Violation of probation. Where the stakes are the original suspended sentence.
- Violent crimes. Assault, battery, robbery.
- Sex offenses. Cases with registry consequences included.
Constitutional protections
The United States Constitution gives every person accused of a crime the right to remain silent, the right to counsel, and the right to challenge the government’s evidence. Most criminal cases are decided by how well those rights are exercised in the first hours and days. What is said, what is not said, and what the police did or did not have the authority to do all come down to those early moments.
We educate every client about their rights before we discuss strategy.
The first call
If you or a family member has been arrested, contacted by a detective, or served with a warrant, call 813-962-3176. If we cannot take the case, we will say so, and we can often point you to someone who can.
Results depend on the specific facts and circumstances of each case and cannot be guaranteed.
Common questions
Frequently asked about criminal defense in Land O' Lakes
What happens after a Land O’ Lakes arrest?
After a Land O’ Lakes arrest, a first appearance is usually held within 24 hours at the Pasco County Judicial Center in Dade City (with a West Pasco courthouse in New Port Richey). Bond, conditions of release, and the appointment or retention of counsel are all addressed there. Call us before first appearance if you can. It matters.
What should I do if I've been arrested?
Do not speak to law enforcement beyond identifying yourself. Ask for a lawyer immediately and stop talking. Anything you say in the car, at the station, or to other inmates can be used against you. The single most important decision a person makes in a criminal case is made in the first hour, and it is almost always the decision not to speak.
What's the difference between a felony and a misdemeanor in Florida?
Misdemeanors are punishable by up to one year in county jail (second-degree) or 60 days (first-degree). Felonies are punishable by more than one year in state prison and are classified third, second, first, life, or capital. Felony convictions can carry serious collateral consequences including loss of voting rights, firearm rights, and eligibility for many professional licenses.
What is a DUI in Florida?
Driving with a blood alcohol content of 0.08% or higher, or driving while impaired by alcohol or drugs. Florida DUI penalties are steep. Expect mandatory fines, license suspension, possible jail time, and collateral consequences that can follow you for years. First-offense DUI is often defensible; we review every traffic stop, field sobriety test, and breath/blood result for challenges.
If I'm on probation and I violate it, what happens?
The court issues a warrant, you may be held without bond until a hearing, and the judge can reinstate your original sentence, including the suspended jail or prison time. Violation of probation cases have lower burdens of proof than the original charge and are often the highest-stakes part of a criminal case.
Will a conviction stay on my record forever?
Florida allows some records to be sealed or expunged under specific circumstances. Sealing is typically available only if the case was dismissed, withheld, or resulted in acquittal, and you have no prior convictions. We can advise on eligibility as part of an overall defense strategy.
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