James A. Fowler Jr. is the co-founder and managing partner of Fowler Law Group. James draws upon his diverse criminal law experiences to defend adults and juveniles involved in all types of criminal law matters, including federal and state crimes, DUI offenses, driver’s license suspensions and traffic cases. He is a 4th generation Sarasota county native of Sarasota County with deep roots in the Sarasota & Manatee communities.

After graduating from law school, James worked as an associate attorney at a Sarasota law firm focusing on family and criminal law cases. He also served as a prosecutor with the Office of the State Attorney in both Sarasota and Manatee Counties. As a prosecuting attorney he handled numerous DUI, misdemeanor, felony and juvenile cases and received specialized training from the Florida Traffic Safety Resource Prosecution Program in the areas of drugged drivers and refusal cases. Following his work as a prosecutor, James served as an attorney at a Sarasota criminal defense firm where he defended clients in all aspects of criminal law.

In July of 2013, James and his wife, Alene Sartori Fowler, founded Fowler Law Group, P.A.. The firm’s Sarasota and Bradenton offices focus on representing clients in all types of criminal matters. James, along with the entire legal team at Fowler Law Group, is committed to going above and beyond to help people struggling with criminal charges and he proudly stands behinds the firm’s motto of “Respect, Reputation, Protection.”

James has strong ties to the Sarasota and Bradenton communities. He is a fourth generation native of the area and his family has owned and operated a local bail bonding company for over thirty years. Prior to entering law school, James served as investigator for the Manatee County Public Defender’s Office. His work as an investigator, combined with his family background, gives him a unique and intimate understanding of how the criminal justice system operates.

James is a member of the Florida Bar and the Sarasota County Bar Associations. He is a member of the American Inns of Court, the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, and the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, National College for DUI Defense and is currently serving on the board for the Sarasota County Young Lawyers Division. He is also engaged in various volunteer activities in Sarasota County, including work with the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

James is proud of the strong reputation he has developed as a Bradenton and Sarasota criminal defense attorney. His clients regularly praise him for providing exceptional client service and achieving positive outcomes in their cases. He has been selected as a Top 100 Trial Lawyer by the National Trial Lawyers Association and has been named to the 2014 Super Lawyers list of Rising Stars.

In addition to fines, if you are convicted of a DUI you may be subject to other penalties, including imprisonment. First time offenders can be sentenced to jail for a period of six to nine months depending upon their blood alcohol levels. Incarceration periods increase for repeat offenders and if the DUI driver is involved in an accident that causes property damage or injuries to another person.