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Can Butash Law Group Seal Your Criminal Record?

Butash Law Group provides experienced DUI defense for clients in Pasco County, Florida, including Lutz, Wesley Chapel, Land O' Lakes, and Dade City. The firm challenges illegal stops, faulty breathalyzer results, and improper field sobriety procedures to pursue dismissals, reduced charges, or minimized penalties. Free consultations are available at (813) 341-2232.

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Recognition & Awards

Expertise.com Best DUI Lawyers in Spring Hill (2024)
National Top 100 Trial Lawyers
Expertise.com Best DUI Lawyers in Spring Hill (2025)
Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
Expertise.com Best Divorce Lawyer in Wesley Chapel
City of .com Premier Service
Expertise.com Best Car Accident Lawyer in Wesley Chapel

What Happens After a DUI Arrest in Florida?

Attorney Michael G. Butash, Butash Law Group

When you are charged with driving under the influence in Pasco County, the consequences can include license suspension, heavy fines, probation, and even jail time. Under Florida Statute §316.193, a person commits DUI by driving or being in actual physical control of a vehicle while impaired by alcohol or controlled substances, or while registering a blood-alcohol level of 0.08 or higher. Despite the statute’s apparent simplicity, numerous legal defenses exist from challenging the legality of the traffic stop to disputing the accuracy of breathalyzer and field sobriety test results and a skilled Pasco County DUI lawyer can make the difference between a conviction and a favorable outcome.

Butash Law Group has served the Tampa Bay area for more than 30 years, defending clients throughout Pasco County communities including Wesley Chapel, Land O’ Lakes, Lutz, and Dade City. The firm’s DUI defense attorneys conduct a thorough analysis of every case scrutinizing probable cause for arrest, field sobriety exercise administration, breathalyzer calibration records, and constitutional rights violations to build the strongest possible defense strategy tailored to each client’s unique circumstances.

How Can a DUI Defense Attorney Help You?

What Do Our Clients Say?

Emely Rosas ★★★★★
I can’t thank my lawyer enough for the outstanding job they did handling my DUI case. From the very beginning, they were professional, knowledgeable, and honest about the entire process. They kept me informed every step of the way, answered all my questions, and made a stressful situation much easier to deal with. What impressed me most was their dedication and attention to detail. They truly fought for the best possible outcome and treated me with respect the entire time.Thanks to their hard work and experience, my case was resolved better than I expected, If you’re looking for an attorney who genuinely cares about their clients and knows how to get results, I highly recommend mike!
Emely Rosas
Amelia Cozzolino ★★★★★
Working with Mike and his team was a great experience. Mike is knowledgeable, professional, and truly cares about his clients. He took the time to explain everything clearly and made sure I felt confident throughout the entire process. I also want to give a special thank you to Stephanie, his paralegal, who was absolutely excellent. She was always responsive, organized, and went above and beyond to keep everything moving smoothly. Her communication made a stressful situation so much easier. I’m very grateful for everything they did for me and would highly recommend Mike and his team to anyone needing legal help.
Amelia Cozzolino
Tanya Rais ★★★★★
I cannot say enough good things about Mike Butash and his team. If I could give more than five stars, I absolutely would. They have truly been a lifeline for me during one of the most difficult and emotional periods of my life. Navigating a high-conflict divorce is overwhelming, but they were the steady voice of reason through it all. When things became complicated or stressful, they brought clarity, logic, and a clear path forward. Mike, Mimi, and the entire staff have supported me every step of the way. They fought for me, kept me informed, and always made sure I understood both the process and possible outcomes-good or bad. That level of honesty and transparency meant everything. Even during moments when I felt frustrated or emotional, they remained patient, professional, and genuinely supportive. Even though my journey isn’t completely over, I feel confident knowing I’m in the best hands. I recommend them to anyone who needs not just an attorney, but a team that truly stands by you.
Tanya Rais
Margarita Vazquez ★★★★★
I am incredibly grateful for the outstanding legal representation I received. My case lasted over a year, and throughout the entire process, Mr. Butash was professional, knowledgeable, and consistently responsive. He took the time to explain every step clearly, kept me informed, and always made me feel supported. His dedication and attention to detail truly made a difference, and I couldn’t be happier with the outcome. I highly recommend Butash Law Group to anyone looking for a reliable and trustworthy attorney. Thank you so much again Mike!
Margarita Vazquez

Why Choose Butash Law Group for DUI Defense?

What to Expect When You Hire a DUI Lawyer

Step 1: Free Consultation

Contact Butash Law Group at (813) 341-2232 to schedule a no-cost, no-obligation consultation. An attorney will review the basic facts of your Pasco County DUI arrest and explain your legal options.

Step 2: Case Investigation & Evidence Review

The defense team obtains and meticulously reviews all evidence, including police reports, dashcam footage, breathalyzer maintenance records, and field sobriety exercise documentation. Every detail is examined for procedural errors, constitutional violations, and weaknesses in the prosecution's case.

Step 3: Defense Strategy Development

Based on the investigation, attorneys craft a defense strategy tailored to your specific circumstances, which may include motions to suppress unlawfully obtained evidence, challenges to the validity of the arrest, or preparation for trial. Prior convictions, BAC levels, and all available defenses are factored into the plan.

Step 4: Court Advocacy & Negotiation

Butash Law Group attorneys advocate aggressively in Pasco County courtrooms, filing suppression motions, cross-examining witnesses, and presenting evidence to create reasonable doubt. Where appropriate, the firm negotiates with prosecutors to pursue reduced charges such as reckless driving or minimized penalties.

Step 5: Resolution & Post-Case Guidance

Whether the case concludes through dismissal, negotiated reduction, or verdict, the firm guides clients through the outcome and any follow-up steps such as license reinstatement or compliance requirements. Clients leave with a clear understanding of what comes next.

Serving Pasco, Hillsborough, Hernando & Pinellas Counties

Butash Law Group defends clients charged with DUI throughout Pasco County including Wesley Chapel, Land O' Lakes, Lutz, and Dade City as well as Tampa and the greater Tampa Bay area. Call (813) 341-2232 to speak with a local DUI attorney who knows the courts where your case will be heard.

Explore Our Other Practice Areas

Butash Law Group represents Tampa Bay clients across a full range of legal matters.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. DUI charges in Florida can be reduced to reckless driving or dismissed entirely depending on the strength of the evidence, the circumstances of the stop, and whether proper procedures were followed during the arrest and testing. An experienced DUI defense attorney will examine every element of the state's case - from the reason for the initial traffic stop to the administration of field sobriety tests and the calibration records of any breathalyzer used.

Not necessarily - but you must act within 10 days of your arrest. Florida law gives you a narrow window to request a formal review hearing with the DHSMV to contest the administrative suspension of your license. If you don't request that hearing in time, the suspension goes into effect automatically. An attorney can request the hearing on your behalf and fight to preserve your driving privileges while the criminal case proceeds.

Refusing a breathalyzer triggers Florida's implied consent law. A first refusal results in a one-year license suspension. A second refusal is a first-degree misdemeanor and carries an 18-month suspension. Importantly, a refusal is not a confession - the state still has to prove the underlying DUI, and the circumstances of the stop and the arrest remain open to challenge.

A DUI conviction cannot be expunged or sealed in Florida - it is a permanent record. However, if your DUI charge was dropped, reduced to a different offense, or resolved without a conviction, you may be eligible for expungement or sealing of the arrest record. This is one of the strongest reasons to fight the charge rather than accept a plea early. Our expungement and sealing practice can evaluate your eligibility once your case is resolved.

DUI cases in Pasco County are typically heard at the Pasco County Courthouse in Dade City or the West Pasco Judicial Center in New Port Richey, depending on where the arrest occurred. Butash Law Group attorneys appear regularly in both venues, which means familiarity with local prosecutors, judges, and court procedures - not a learning curve at your expense.
About Mike Butash
MEET MIKE BUTASH

A Former Prosecutor Who Knows Both Sides

Mike grew up in the Tampa Bay area and graduated from Stetson University College of Law in 1997. He was immediately hired as an Assistant State Attorney for the 6th Judicial Circuit in Pinellas and Pasco Counties, where he prosecuted everything from misdemeanors to the most serious felonies. Today he uses that insider experience to defend clients across Tampa Bay. With more than three decades of practice, lead counsel in over 40 jury trials, and thousands of cases handled, Mike brings the kind of courtroom judgment that only comes from years on both sides of the aisle.

40+ jury trials as lead counsel | 30+ years practicing | Thousands of cases

Talk to a DUI Lawyer in Pasco County Attorney Today

Free, confidential consultation. Call (813) 341-2232 or send us a message.