Business Details
32 Years
experience
Emergency
services
Trusted Criminal Defense in Clearwater, FL
At Hanlon Law, we are dedicated to providing exceptional criminal defense services to individuals facing serious legal challenges in Clearwater, Florida. With over two decades of experience, our team of seasoned attorneys specializes in defending clients against a wide range of charges, including drug crimes, sex crimes, DUI, domestic violence, and white-collar offenses. We prioritize early intervention to dismiss cases efficiently, leveraging our deep understanding of Florida's legal system to protect clients' rights and futures.Our client-centric approach ensures personalized attention, transparent communication, and aggressive representation, whether negotiating plea deals or litigating in court. Recognized for our commitment to justice and client satisfaction, we serve communities across Florida, including Tampa, St. Petersburg, and Sarasota, with a proven track record of achieving favorable outcomes.
Services
Criminal Defense
DUI Defense
Drug Crimes
Sex Crimes
Domestic Violence
White Collar Crimes
Probation Violations
Expungements
Gun Crimes
Juvenile Defense
Details
- Year established: 1994
Highlights and features
- We offer over 20 years of focused criminal defense experience in Florida courts.
- Our team prioritizes early case intervention to dismiss charges proactively.
- We provide personalized defense strategies tailored to each client's unique circumstances.
- Available 24/7 for urgent legal matters and consultations.
- Proven track record of reducing charges or securing acquittals in complex cases.
What people say
Worth every penny
Fights hard for clients
Empathetic and effective
Turned criminal history into past
Miraculously cleared charges
Services
Criminal Defense
Hanlon Law provides comprehensive criminal defense for felony and misdemeanor charges in Florida. Our attorneys handle drug crimes, sex offenses, DUI, domestic violence, and violent crimes with a focus on early case dismissal. We challenge evidence, negotiate plea deals, and litigate trials to protect clients' rights. With decades of combined experience, we offer strategic defense tailored to each case's complexities.
DUI Defense
Our DUI defense team challenges blood alcohol evidence, procedural violations, and prosecution claims. We defend against license suspension, fines, and jail time for first-time and repeat offenses. Strategies include suppressing illegal evidence and negotiating reduced charges. Clients receive personalized guidance through Florida's strict DUI penalties, including ignition interlock requirements and mandatory minimum sentences.
Sex Crimes
Hanlon Law defends clients accused of rape, child pornography, and other sex crimes requiring lifetime registry. We challenge accuser credibility, consent claims, and forensic evidence. Our approach includes negotiating plea bargains to avoid registry or litigating constitutional violations in evidence collection. We prioritize minimizing long-term impacts on clients' personal and professional lives.
Drug Crimes
We defend against drug possession, trafficking, and distribution charges under Florida law. Our strategies include challenging unlawful searches, disputing possession claims, and seeking diversion programs. For trafficking cases involving mandatory minimums, we negotiate reduced charges or present defenses based on lack of knowledge or control over substances.
Expungements
Our firm assists clients in sealing or expunging criminal records to improve employment and housing opportunities. We navigate Florida's eligibility requirements for dismissed charges or completed probation. Services include filing petitions, court representation, and ensuring compliance with state statutes to permanently remove past offenses from public records.
People
William Hanlon
Founder & Lead Attorney
William Hanlon, a Clearwater native, founded Hanlon Law after graduating from St. Thomas University School of Law in 1993. With over 25 years of criminal defense experience, he specializes in complex felony cases and has successfully dismissed charges for clients facing sex crimes, DUI, and drug offenses.
Nick Chotos
Criminal Defense Attorney
Nick Chotos brings extensive trial experience from South Florida's largest defense firms. Admitted to the Florida Bar in 2005, he focuses on drug crimes and violent offenses, combining aggressive courtroom tactics with negotiation skills to reduce charges for clients across Tampa Bay.
Blair Jackson
Senior Trial Attorney
Blair Jackson has 33 years of criminal law experience, including federal sex crime litigation. His expertise in complex cases involving child pornography and travel to meet minors has secured acquittals in high-stakes prosecutions across Florida's state and federal courts.
Dustin Wagner
Defense Counsel
Dustin Wagner, a Manatee County native, previously served as an Assistant Public Defender in Broward and Hillsborough Counties. His background in public defense informs his client-focused approach to DUI, domestic violence, and juvenile cases in Clearwater and surrounding areas.
Questions
What should I do immediately after being charged with a crime?
Contact Hanlon Law immediately. Early intervention increases chances of dismissing charges before filing. Our attorneys will protect your rights during investigations and negotiations.
Do you handle both felony and misdemeanor cases?
Yes, we defend all felony and misdemeanor charges including DUI, drug crimes, sex offenses, domestic violence, and white-collar crimes across Florida.
How does your firm handle DUI cases?
We challenge blood alcohol testing accuracy, procedural violations, and prosecution evidence. Our goal is reducing penalties or dismissing charges through pre-trial negotiations or trials.
Can you help with expunging past criminal records?
Yes, we assist eligible clients in sealing or expunging criminal records to improve employment and housing opportunities under Florida law.
What differentiates Hanlon Law from other defense firms?
Our proactive approach focuses on dismissing cases before trial. With decades of combined experience, we combine aggressive courtroom representation with personalized client communication available 24/7.
