Todd Thurow
About
Experienced Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving Pasco County and Surrounding Area
Criminal Justice Beginnings in Michigan
Todd Jerome Thurow was raised in Centreville, located in southwestern Michigan. After graduating from Centreville High School, Mr. Thurow studied criminal justice at Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, Michigan.
During his under-graduate studies, he accepted a position with the Cassopolis Police Department and worked as a police officer while attending classes full-time.
Law Enforcement Experience & Training
After receiving his Bachelor of Science degree in 1995, Mr. Thurow relocated to Florida. For the next nine years, he was employed as a deputy with the Sarasota County Sheriff's Office and then as a police officer at the Sarasota Police Department.
During his tenure in law enforcement, Mr. Thurow attended numerous advanced training seminars including courses in: DUI Field Sobriety Testing; Breath Test/Intoxilyzer Operator Permit; Sex Crimes Investigations; Drug and Narcotic Investigations, Interviews and Interrogations; Radar Certification Field Training Officer and Instructor.
Mr. Thurow was involved in two high profile cases that resulted in him being named in two books. One book, Every Breath You Take, authored by Ann Rule, involved the homicide of Shelia Bellush, a woman murdered after her millionaire ex-husband, Alan Blackthorne, contracted to have her killed. The other book is Diane Fanning’s Into the Water, written about Richard Marc Evonitz, a serial killer of teenage girls.
Law School and Masters in Business Administration
After 11 years in law enforcement, Mr. Thurow changed his focus to a career in law and enrolled at Stetson University’s College of Law in Gulfport, FL. While in law school, he was the recipient of the Paul Barnard Award for Clinic Excellence, awarded for his performance in representing indigent clients while enrolled in the Public Defender Clinic.
After law school, Mr. Thurow accepted a position as an Assistant Public Defender in the Sixth Judicial Circuit in Clearwater, and he then transferred to Dade City. While at the Office of the Public Defender, Mr. Thurow handled hundreds of misdemeanor and felony criminal cases.
During this time, he also pursued a Master’s Degree in Business Administration at Stetson University and graduated in May of 2012.
Criminal Justice Experience an Asset
As an Assistant Public Defender, Mr. Thurow earned a reputation as a criminal defense attorney who would not shy away from challenging prosecutors, the police, and evidence in a case. He was extremely active filing motions in court that frequently resulted in key evidence being ruled inadmissible at trial, helping Mr. Thurow to achieve successful outcomes for his clients.
Mr. Thurow represented indigent clients in an aggressive manner, resulting in numerous cases being either dismissed entirely or reduced after negotiations with prosecutors representing the State of Florida.
Mr. Thurow’s knowledge and experience as a police officer has been a priceless asset to his clients. As a former police officer, Mr. Thurow is frequently asked how he could switch sides and go from enforcing the laws to defending those charged with criminal offenses. Mr. Thurow’s answer is very simple: “It’s not about switching sides, it’s about protecting everyone’s rights under the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights.”
Private Practice
In 2011, Mr. Thurow left the public sector for private practice when he accepted an offer to work at the Law Firm of Greenfelder, Mander, Murphy, Dwyer & Morris in Dade City. He worked as an associate defending clients charged with criminal and traffic related offenses. In 2013, the firm was renamed the Mander Law Group after the departure of Glen Greenfelder. Todd continued to work with Mander Law Group until his departure in 2016. At that time, Todd founded his own law firm, Thurow Law, in Dade City. Thurow Law’s primary practice focuses on criminal defense, DUI defense and personal injury cases. He will represent you anywhere in the State of Florida.
Personal Life
He is married to Christine Bala Thurow, the daughter of Dade City area doctors Sam and Rosario Bala. Mr. Thurow and his wife Christine have three children. In his spare time, he enjoys riding dirt bikes and ATV’s, watching baseball games, playing baseball, collecting and discharging firearms, fishing and spending time with his family. Todd has been a youth baseball manager and coach. His favorite baseball clubs are the Detroit Tigers and the Tampa Bay Rays. He also enjoys watching Michigan Wolverine football games.
Education
- Western Michigan University (B.S., 1995)
- Stetson University College of Law (J.D., 2006)
- Stetson University School of Business Administration (M.B.A., 2012)
Distinctions, Appointments, and Bar Memberships
- Lifetime member of Florida Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys
- Member of the Florida Bar
- Former Assistant Public Defender (Clearwater/Dade City), 6th Judicial Circuit
- Paul Barnard Award recipient given for outstanding representation of clients during the Public Defender Clinic
- Former Police Officer
Practice Areas
- Criminal Defense
- DUI
- Possession/Sale/Trafficking Controlled Substances
- Assault and Battery
- Sexual Battery
- Lewd & Lascivious Offenses
- Domestic Battery/Domestic Violence
- Theft/Burglary/Robbery
- Driving Offenses
- Firearms/Weapons Offenses
- Child Abuse/Child Neglect
- Computer & Internet/Cyber Crimes
- Domestic Violence Injunctions
- Excessive Use of Force
To speak with Pasco County Attorney Todd Thurow about your charges, contact us at (352) 775-0775.