Varinia Van Ness

Varinia Van Ness

5.0
Rating: 10.0

Licensed for 34 years

Criminal defense Lawyer at Sarasota, FL
Practice Areas: Criminal Defense, DUI & DWI, Domestic Violence ... +3 more

46 N. Washington Blvd., Suite 9, Sarasota, FL

About Varinia

Biography

Practice Areas

6

Practice Areas

Criminal Defense 40%

Violations of Probation, Trafficking drugs, Search Warrant cases, Violent cases. We handles all criminal cases

35 years

40%
DUI and DWI 20%

35 years

20%
Juvenile Law 10%

35 years

10%

Fees and Rates

Cost

Free Consultation

$0 first 30 minutes


Payment Methods

  • Cash
  • Check
  • Credit Card

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Licenses

Licensed in Florida for 34 years

State: Florida

Acquired: 1991

Member in Good Standing

No misconduct found

Location

Van Ness Law Group, P.A.

46 N. Washington Blvd., Suite 9, Sarasota, FL, 34236-5932

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Varinia Van Ness's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

5.0 /5.0

68 Client Reviews

Showing 6 - 10 of 16 reviews | Practice Area Knowledge

Posted by Tom | April 02, 2012 | DUI & DWI

With Varinia There Is Hope, Hard Work and Dedication

Varinia is what you hope for when you need an attorney. You will immediately feel the energy she brings to her work and her dedication to helping you. This energy combined with her knowledge, experience and resourcefulness will continue for your whole case. She is relentless in pursuing your best ...interests. We found Varinia at the last moment to help us with a DUI case. Our original attorney had continued us into a corner and then recommended to plead guilty. With next to no time left, Varinia jumped into the case. She was able to challange the arrest and have the court determine it unlawful. She then methodically tore apart the prosecution's case in the court room. After an empassioned closing argument, the jury returned a "not guilty" verdict in just twenty minutes. Besides our joy of vindication we were amazed as we left the court house. The jury was waiting on the front steps to congratulate us. They had nothing but the highest praise for Varinia's skills (all of them wanted her card in case they ever needed an attorney)!!! Our heartfelt advice is to hire Varinia. You cannot get better representation.

Posted by Seth | December 01, 2011 | Personal Injury

Used her services multiple times with great success!

The recent case I used Ms Van Ness was for a Dui-1.5 and over with injuries and property damage. After taking her time and finding all the things the state did not have ready, Ms Van Ness had my case dropped to a Reckless Driving with no license suspension. Along with that Ms Van Ness also was able t...o get all civil infractions, from the accident, dismissed from the court. I have also used Ms Van Ness on 2 other occasions, over the past few years, with both of those charges being dropped completely as well. Ms Van Ness is both courteous and very knowledgeable. With her experience on both sides of the court, Prosecutor and Defense, Ms Van Ness knows what the State Attorney is going to throw at your case. I highly recommend her for any and all cases! Between Ms Van Ness and her staff you can not loose. Thanks again Varinia Van Ness for all of your help and support!

Posted by Sean | November 28, 2011 | Criminal Defense

Great Lawyer .. read my review

Varinia was a great lawyer. She was very helpful to me helping me to understand the whole process. She and her office keep me informed via phone and via email with any updates to my case. She was always there for me and often time would return my calls personally or emails within the same day. She ev...en responded to my emails even on weekends and I never at all felt alone during the legal process. She was very kind and very available to me and I never felt alone during the legal process. Her and her office staff went above and beyond and I would recommend anyone that needs legal help or criminal defense to contact her.. you wont be disappointed and will be glad you did.. cant say enough nice things about her

Posted by anonymous | October 19, 2011

Highly recommended

Attorney Nan Ness possessed the confidence and experience necessary to result in a positive outcome in my son's case. That confidence and her honesty, helped us endure during a difficult time. Her staff is extremely professional yet kind. With just one kink in the process, Attorney Van Ness comes Hig...hly recommended.

Posted by LAUREN | June 15, 2011 | Criminal Defense

I HAVE USED VARINIA MANY MANY TIMES!!

I HAVE HAD SEVERAL OCCASIONS WERE I HAVE GOTTEN INTO TROUBLE WITH THE LAW AND EVERYTIME I HAVE FAITHFULLY USED VARINIAQ.SHE IS THE BEST!EVEN THO I MAY OR MAY NOT HAVE DID THE CRIME I KNEW THAT IN THE END AFTER COURT I WOULD BE HAPPY WITH WHAT HAPPENS.THERE WERE MANY DAYS AND NIGHTS THAT I STRESSED OV...ER MY TROUBLES AND WOULD CALL VARINIA AND SHE WOULD ALWAYS REASSURE ME THAT EVERYTHING WAS GONNA BE OKAY!SHE IS THE BEST I HAVE AND ALWAYS WILL USE HER FOR MYSELF AND I WILL ALWAYS RECOMMEND HER TO ANYONE THAT I KNOW.THANK YOU SO MUCH VARINIA FOR BEING SO GOOD AT WHAT YOU DO!YOU ARE TRUELY THE BEST AT IT!I COULD NEVER HIRE ANYONE ELSE FOR MY TROUBLES!!ONLY YOU!!

See All Client Reviews

Varinia Van Ness's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Varinia
Erik J. Arroyo headshot
Erik Arroyo

Criminal defense lawyer | Apr 23

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse Virinia without reservation. Her reputation precedes her as one of the most passionate advocates for her clients. The results speak for themselves."

Adam Dunn headshot
Adam Dunn

Criminal defense lawyer | Jul 19

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Varinia is a tenacious and intelligent attorney who takes great pride in representing her clients. One can find her daily in the courtrooms of Florida fighting for her clients' rights. She combines this with a spirit for contributing to the local community. Her dedication to client and community make her an advocate I would highly recommend."

Amiee Ruth Buckman headshot
Amiee Buckman

Criminal defense lawyer | Nov 16

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I've had the honor of knowing Varinia for quite some time and have always found her to be extremely knowlegeable and professional. I would highly recommend her to anyone who needs an experienced criminal defense lawyer."

Brandon M Daniels headshot
Brandon Daniels

Criminal defense lawyer | Jun 07

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse Varinia, I have witnessed her in court on multiple occasions and she have superior intellect and fights hard for her clients. She is a great attorney and is well respected by all on the defense bar."

James Roman Amarosa II headshot
James Amarosa

Criminal defense lawyer | May 01

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. Ms. Van Ness is a great lawyer and is always willing to help. I would recomend this lawyer to anyone needing her services. JRA"

Todd Jerome Thurow headshot
Todd Thurow

Criminal defense lawyer | Mar 13

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

Thomas Klemens Almquist headshot
Thomas Almquist

Criminal defense lawyer | Feb 17

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

Herbert Ira Ellis headshot
Herbert Ellis

Unknown lawyer | Dec 08

Relationship: Other

"I endorse this lawyer."

Dana M Moss headshot
Dana Moss

Criminal defense lawyer | Sep 29

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse Varinia Van Ness. This lady knows her stuff. She is a true advocate for her clients and does not back down from a fight. She works hard and get the results."

Steve Daniel Santiago headshot
Steve Santiago

Criminal defense lawyer | Aug 20

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

Cynthia Marie Veintemillas headshot
Cynthia Veintemillas

Criminal defense lawyer | Apr 12

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Varinia Van Ness is the type of lawyer that other lawyers go to with questions. She is knowledgeable and treats people with respect. She is an excellent attorney."

Michael Lane Morgan headshot
Michael Morgan

Criminal defense lawyer | Dec 19

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. I have known Varinia Van Ness for nearly ten years. She is very knowledgeable and deeply committed to her Clients. Varinia's courtroom presence is one of the best I have ever seen. She is confident, smart and understands the methods necessary for winning cases. If you are in need of an excellent attorney, you must contact Varinia Van Ness."

Christian K. Lassen II headshot
Christian Lassen

Criminal defense lawyer | Jan 02

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Very experienced lawyer."

Jarrett David Blakeley headshot
Jarrett Blakeley

Criminal defense lawyer | Sep 18

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer's work, she is an excellent attorney."

AnneMarie Rose Rizzo headshot
AnneMarie Rizzo

Criminal defense lawyer | Feb 04

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Aggressive is the best word to describe Varinia. She can be relentless when defending her clients. She is a very strong attorney. Varinia is also involved in the community and takes her work seriously."

Craig A. Epifanio headshot
Craig Epifanio

Criminal defense lawyer | Jan 25

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer's work. Ms. Van Ness is one of the premier attorneys in the Sarasota area. I have found her to be very knowledgeable and one of the most insightful attorneys in the State of Florida. I feel confident that if I am referring a case to her, that the client will be in extremely good hands."

Leslie Miller Sammis headshot
Leslie Sammis

Criminal defense lawyer | Dec 21

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer's work. I have been following the Delane Johnson case. Varinia Van Ness did a great job taking on the Bradenton Police Department and City Attorney for the way they handle forfeiture cases."

Darren Mark Finebloom headshot
Darren Finebloom

Criminal defense lawyer | Jul 07

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer's work. Varinia is an attorney that is so dedicated to her clients and protecting their rights. She is fearless in the courtroom and a credit to our profession."

View All Endorsements
Adam Dunn headshot
Adam Dunn

Criminal defense lawyer

Gregory Scott Hagopian headshot
Gregory Hagopian

Personal injury lawyer

Brandon M Daniels headshot
Brandon Daniels

Criminal defense lawyer

Andrew Terence Hibbert headshot
Andrew Hibbert

Criminal defense lawyer

Cynthia Marie Veintemillas headshot
Cynthia Veintemillas

Criminal defense lawyer

Michael Lane Morgan headshot
Michael Morgan

Commercial real estate lawyer

AnneMarie Rose Rizzo headshot
AnneMarie Rizzo

Criminal defense lawyer

David Ashley Haenel headshot
David Haenel

Speeding and traffic ticket lawyer

Darren Mark Finebloom headshot
Darren Finebloom

Criminal defense lawyer

Experience

Rating:  10.0 (Superb)

Honors

2006

BV Rating,, Martindale-Hubbell

Work Experience

2002 - Present

President, Van Ness Law Group, P.A.

1998 - 2002

Program Attorney, Guardian Ad Litem Program

1991 - 1998

Assistant State Attorney, Office of the State Attorney (Sarasota) 6 1/2 years

Associations

2009 - Present

Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers

Board of Directors

2003 - Present

Junior League of Sarasota

Member

2008 - 2012

Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, Sarasota Chapter

President

2007 - 2012

Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, Florida Chapter

Member

2002 - 2004

Children's Guardian Fund

Board of Directors

Sample of Legal Cases

Delane Johnson

Victory

Simmons vs. State

Victory

See More Legal Cases

Education

1991

Stetson University College of Law

Juris Doctor

1988

University of Florida

Bachelor of Arts

Speaking Engagements

2016

Breath Blood and Tears

DUI How do defend Refusals

2015

Breath Blood and Tears

DUI Jury Selection

2014

Blood Breath and Tears

Ethics Panel

2013

Masters of DUI

Ethics Panel

2012

The Practice

Solo Practice--The Women of FACDL

2008

Family Law Seminar

Criminal Law Issues that Impact Family Law Issues

2007

Girl's Inc., Girls' Rights Week

Panel discussion on the Super Girl Dilemma. Guest panelist in group of role models who have achieved a great deal.

Languages

French

Italian

Spanish

Activity

Avvo Rating

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What determines Avvo Rating?
  • Experience & background Years licensed, work experience, education
  • Legal community recognition Peer endorsements, associations, awards
  • Legal thought leadership Publications, speaking engagements
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Avvo Rating Levels
10.0 - 9.0 Superb8.9 - 8.0 Excellent7.9 - 7.0 Very Good6.9 - 6.0 Good5.9 - 5.0 Average4.9 - 4.0 Concern3.9 - 3.0 Caution2.9 - 2.0 Strong Caution1.9 - 1.0 Extreme Caution