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Guide to Finding Sarasota Attorneys

Guide to Finding Sarasota Attorneys

Sarasota attorneys represent clients in both the city and county of Sarasota, Florida.   Sarasota Attorneys should be in good standing with the Florida Bar Association, have had little, or no, disciplinary action taken against them by the Florida Bar Association, or any other bar association, and be familiar with, not only Florida law, but the substantive and procedural laws of the city and county of Sarasota.  
Discipline
If you have a problem with your Sarasota Attorney or you have reason to believe that a Sarasota Attorney is not representing the legal profession properly than you may want to notify the Florida Bar Association.  The legal profession is one that polices its own members.  Sarasota Attorneys and the Florida Bar Association hold the practice of law in high regard and a Sarasota Attorney is expected to uphold the legal, ethical, and professional standards of the practice of law on  a 24/7 basis.  If you know of an Sarasota Attorney who is in violation of the rules of professional conduct then you should contact the Attorney Consumer Assistance Program at 866-352-0707.  You should also fill out a Florida Bar Inquiry/Complaint Form found at www.floridabar.org.  The Florida Bar Association also keeps a list of all disciplinary actions taken against any Sarasota, or Florida, attorney within the past 10 years.  You can get that information by calling 1-800-342-8060 ext. 5839.  
If you have an issue with your Sarasota Attorney that involves an argument over fees then it is not a matter for the Disciplinary Committee.  The Florida Bar Association operates a fee dispute mediation/arbitration program to help you and your Sarasota Attorney come to an amicable solution.  This service can be reached at 866-352-0707.
How do I find a Sarasota Attorney
Sarasota Attorneys can be found by a number of means.  There are numerous amounts of Sarasota Attorneys that practice all kinds of law within the city and county of Sarasota.   One way to find Sarasota Attorneys is to simply ask others including friends, relatives, and co-workers who you believe may know of a good Sarasota Attorney for your specific problem.  You can also do a basic internet search to find Sarasota Attorneys.  Almost every Sarasota Attorney operates a webpage that outlines their practice, experience, education and any favorable results they have received through their legal practice.  Although this is a lot of helpful information it should be taken with a grain of salt for this information is designed to portray that attorney in the best way possible and may not show the full story.
Another way to find an Sarasota Attorney is by taking advantage of the lawyer referral service operated by the Florida Bar Association.  The Florida Bar Association keeps a directory of all Orlando Attorneys currently practicing who are in good standing with the Florida Bar Association.  By calling the referral service at 1-800-342-8011 you will be put in touch with a representative who will put you in touch with a Sarasota Attorney who fits your needs.  The referral is fee and the Sarasota attorney you meet with may not charge you more than $25 for a 30 minute consultation.  The consultation fee is completely waived if your matter involves elder law, AIDS or disability.   After the consultation meeting it is up to you and the Sarasota Attorney to come up with future arrangements.  You are under no obligation to retain the Sarasota Attorney and the Sarasota Attorney is under no obligation to take you on as a client.  Always remember that, even if you do not hire the Sarasota Attorney, anything that is communicated during the consultation meeting is confidential and may not be disclosed by that Sarasota Attorney.  You may fill out an online application at www.floridabar.org
Legal Aid
If you cannot afford an Sarasota Attorney then you may have some options.  If you are a defendant in a criminal matter then you may be entitled to representation from the State under the 5th Amendment.  The 5th Amendment stipulates that when an individual is facing any amount of incarceration he, or she, is entitled to an attorney and will be appointed one if he, or she, cannot afford one.  
If you are involved in a civil matter and cannot afford representation then you may want to contact one of a number of legal aid services in the Sarasota County area.
Legal Aid of Manasota helps clients who cannot afford appropriate legal representation in civil matters.  The Legal Aid of Manasota represents clients in family law, wills, housing, consumer law & probate.  You can call them at 941-366-0038.  The legal aid society accepts clients who have an annual income of 150% of the national poverty level; 125% if the matter is a family law issue.
Gulf Coast Legal Services is also a legal aid society that helps indigent clients in the Sarasota area get in touch with Sarasota attorneys.  Sarasota attorneys who work through the Gulf Coast Legal Services represent needy clients in domestic violence, divorce, custody, foreclosure, tax and a number of other legal issues.  To see if you qualify and if a Sarasota Attorney through the legal aid service can help you then  call 941-366-1746.
Sarasota Courthouse
Sarasota Attorneys who practice in SarasotaCounty must know the court system, where to file, who the judges, prosecutors, and court staff are.  Cases that involve Sarasota Attorneys are heard in the Superior Court of California for the County of Sarasota.  
There are two main courthouses in the Sarasota County Superior Court division.  Each court is a general jurisdictional courthouse that hears both civil and criminal matters.  The locations are:
Venice Beach
4000 S. Tamiami St.
Venice, FL 34293
941-861-7400
AND
Sarasota Courthouse
2000 Main St.
Sarasota, FL 34237
941-861-7400