Florida Criminal Defense Lawyer

Facing criminal charges can be overwhelming, but you don’t have to navigate this complex process alone. A skilled Florida criminal defense lawyer is your strongest ally in safeguarding your rights, building a strategic defense, and pursuing the best possible outcome for your case.

At Orlando Criminal Team, our criminal defense attorneys combine decades of experience with a relentless commitment to justice, ensuring every client receives personalized, aggressive representation. Whether you’re confronting misdemeanor charges or serious felony allegations, understanding your legal options starts with partnering with a trusted criminal defense lawyer in Florida.

Why Choose Our Florida Criminal Defense Attorneys?

When your freedom and reputation are on the line, choosing the right legal team is critical. Our Florida criminal defense law firm stands out for three reasons:

1. Proven Results: We’ve secured dismissals, reduced charges, and favorable plea agreements for clients facing charges ranging from DUIs to violent crimes. Our track record includes high-profile cases where meticulous evidence analysis and strategic negotiations led to life-changing outcomes for our clients.

2. Deep Local Knowledge: Florida’s laws and courts vary by county—our attorneys leverage insider insights from Miami-Dade to Duval County. All our attorneys are licensed and in good standing with the Florida Bar Association, ensuring you receive representation from professionals who meet the highest standards of legal practice in the state.

3. Client-Centered Approach: We prioritize open communication, transparency, and empathy, ensuring you’re informed and empowered at every step. Our team takes the time to listen to your concerns and tailor our approach to your unique needs, fostering trust throughout the legal process.

Comprehensive Criminal Defense Services in Florida

Our Florida criminal defense lawyers handle all state and federal charges, including:

• DUI/DWI: We challenge flawed breathalyzer results, improper stops, and procedural errors to minimize penalties like license suspension, fines, or jail time. Even first-time offenders face severe consequences, but the strategic defense from a DUI defense lawyer can often reduce charges or secure diversion programs.
• Drug Crimes and Drug Trafficking: From simple possession to complex trafficking cases, we scrutinize search-and-seizure legality and lab analysis accuracy to protect your rights. Prescription fraud allegations also require tailored defenses, as intent and evidence handling are frequently disputed.
• Assault and Battery: Accusations of assault, battery, or homicide demand immediate intervention to dissect witness credibility, self-defense claims, or prosecutorial overreach. Early attorney involvement can mean the difference between dropped charges and wrongful conviction.
• Burglary: Florida prosecutors must prove you knowingly entered a property with criminal intent. We dismantle their case by exposing unreliable witnesses or a lack of evidence tying you to the scene.
• Child Abuse: False accusations of child abuse can stem from misunderstandings or custody disputes. We work with medical experts and child psychologists to refute exaggerated claims and protect your parental rights.
• Domestic Violence: Domestic violence allegations often hinge on “he said, she said” scenarios. We scrutinize police reports, 911 calls, and witness statements to expose inconsistencies or self-defense justifications.
• Federal Crime: Federal charges (e.g., drug trafficking, wire fraud) carry severe penalties and require knowledge of federal court procedures. Our team negotiates with U.S. Attorneys and fights unconstitutional searches or overreach.
• Fraud: Fraud cases—from credit card scams to insurance fraud—depend on proving intent to deceive. We dissect financial records and witness testimony to show a lack of fraudulent intent or procedural errors.
• Gun Crime: Florida’s gun laws are complex, and charges like illegal possession or aggravated assault with a firearm demand immediate action. We argue lawful ownership, self-defense, or improper search warrants.
• Marijuana Crime: Even with Florida’s medical marijuana laws, possession or distribution charges can arise. We challenge the legality of searches, lab testing accuracy, and compliance with state cannabis regulations.
• Probation Violation: Missed meetings or false-positive drug tests shouldn’t land you in jail. We negotiate with probation officers to reinstate your terms or reduce penalties.
• Robbery: The difference between theft and robbery hinges on force or fear. We scrutinize surveillance videos to prove that accusations are overblown.
• Seal and Expungement: Eligibility hinges on dismissed charges or withheld adjudication. Our team files petitions and argues in court to clear your record.
• Sex Crime: These charges carry irreversible social stigma, even if false. We challenge DNA evidence and cross-examine accusers to reveal ulterior motives.
• White Collar Crime: Complex financial cases turn on paperwork and intent. We collaborate with forensic accountants to refute prosecutors’ theories.
• Theft and Fraud: Whether facing shoplifting accusations or white-collar fraud charges, we analyze surveillance footage, financial records, and intent evidence to undermine the prosecution’s case. Burglary and identity theft charges often hinge on circumstantial evidence, which we aggressively contest.
• Juvenile Offenses: We advocate for alternatives to incarceration, such as counseling or community service, to shield your child’s record and future opportunities. Juvenile cases require specialized knowledge of Florida’s rehabilitative vs. punitive court approaches.

Understanding Florida’s Criminal Justice System

Florida’s criminal justice system is a multi-stage process where decisions made at each phase can profoundly impact your future. From the moment of arrest to final resolution, the state’s procedures move swiftly, and missteps—like missing critical deadlines or mishandling evidence—can lead to harsh penalties, including fines, probation, or incarceration.

A seasoned Florida criminal defense attorney is essential to navigate this complex framework, challenge procedural errors, and advocate for your rights. Below, we break down the key stages of the system, highlighting how strategic legal intervention at every step can protect your freedom and secure the best possible outcome.

Arrest and Booking

The criminal process begins with arrest and booking, where law enforcement takes you into custody. This phase includes fingerprinting, photographing (mugshots), and documenting personal information.

A bail hearing typically follows, where a judge determines whether you can be released pending trial and under what financial conditions. An experienced Florida criminal defense lawyer can challenge probable cause for the arrest, argue for lower bail, or seek release on your own recognizance.

Any missteps during this stage, such as unlawful detention or failure to read Miranda rights, could become critical grounds for defense later.

Arraignment

At your arraignment, you’ll appear before a judge to hear the formal charges and enter a plea of guilty, not guilty, or no contest. Pleading not guilty triggers the trial preparation phase, while no contest (nolo contendere) accepts punishment without admitting guilt—a strategic move in some cases to avoid civil liability.

Your attorney will advise on the optimal plea based on evidence strength and potential plea deals. In Florida, failure to appear at arraignment can result in a bench warrant, making legal representation essential to navigate deadlines and procedural requirements.

Pre-Trial Motions

Pre-trial motions are pivotal tools for narrowing the prosecution’s case. Your defense team may file motions to suppress evidence obtained through illegal searches, dismiss charges due to insufficient evidence, or compel witness depositions.

Florida courts also encourage plea negotiations during this phase, where skilled attorneys can secure reduced charges (e.g., lowering a felony to a misdemeanor) or alternative sentencing (e.g., drug treatment programs). Successfully excluding key evidence or testimony at this stage often leads to case dismissals or weakened prosecutorial leverage.

Trial

If your case proceeds to trial, the prosecution must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. Florida trials involve jury selection (voir dire), opening/closing arguments, witness examinations, and evidence presentation.

Defense strategies might include poking holes in witness credibility, presenting alibis, or demonstrating procedural errors (e.g., chain-of-custody lapses in drug cases). Jury trials are complex and high-stakes; even subtle missteps in courtroom tactics can sway outcomes.

A seasoned criminal defense attorney will craft persuasive narratives and leverage Florida’s jury instructions to protect your rights.

Sentencing

A conviction at trial or guilty plea leads to sentencing, where penalties range from fines and probation to prison time. Florida’s sentencing guidelines consider factors like criminal history, offense severity, and aggravating/mitigating circumstances (e.g., victim injury vs. expressions of remorse).

Judges may deviate from guidelines in certain cases, making it crucial for your attorney to advocate for leniency, such as arguing for house arrest instead of incarceration or rehab programs over jail time. Post-conviction options, like appeals or sentence modifications, also require immediate legal action to preserve your rights.

Protecting Your Rights at Every Stage

Early legal intervention by a Florida criminal justice attorney is key. For example, in DUI cases, you only have 10 days to request a DMV hearing to save your license.

Our Florida criminal defense attorneys act swiftly to:

• Investigate evidence (police reports, bodycam footage, lab results).
• Identify constitutional violations (illegal stops, coerced confessions).
• Develop defense strategies tailored to Florida’s statutes and precedents.

Don’t risk self-representation—criminal defense lawyers know how to counter aggressive prosecutors.

Sealing and Expungement in Florida

Even after a case ends, a criminal record can haunt your career, housing, and education prospects. Florida allows record sealing or expungement if:

Eligibility

Charges must have been dropped, dismissed, or resulted in withholding adjudication. Certain offenses, such as violent crimes or sexual offenses, are typically ineligible.

Our Florida criminal defense law firm can evaluate your case to determine if you qualify for this relief.

Process

The process involves filing a petition with the court, attending a hearing, and awaiting a judge’s decision. Required documents may include a certificate of eligibility from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) and fingerprints.

Our attorneys streamline this complex procedure, ensuring all legal requirements are met to maximize your chances of success.

Florida Criminal Defense FAQ

What should I do if I’ve been arrested in Florida?

Stay calm, remain silent, and immediately request a Florida criminal defense lawyer. Avoid answering questions without legal counsel present, as anything you say can be used against you.

Contact our Florida criminal defense law firm as soon as possible to protect your rights and begin building your defense.

Can I be charged with a felony for a first-time offense?

Yes. Florida prosecutors may pursue felony charges even for first-time offenses, depending on the severity of the alleged crime (e.g., drug trafficking, aggravated assault, or grand theft).

A skilled criminal defense attorney in Florida can often negotiate reduced charges or alternative sentencing, such as probation or diversion programs.

What are my rights during a police investigation?

You have the right to:

• Remain silent (invoke your Fifth Amendment protection). In most cases, you are not legally required to answer questions beyond providing basic identification. Clearly stating, “I invoke my right to remain silent,” prevents your words from being used against you later.
• Refuse consent to searches without a warrant. Unless officers have a valid warrant or probable cause, you can decline requests to search your home, vehicle, or belongings. Verbally stating, “I do not consent to this search,” creates a record of your objection.
• Have a Florida criminal defense lawyer present during questioning. Police must stop interrogations if you request an attorney, even if you haven’t been formally charged yet. An attorney ensures your rights are protected and advises you on how to respond to investigators.
• Be informed of charges if arrested (Miranda rights). Upon arrest, officers must read your Miranda rights, including the right to remain silent and the right to legal counsel. If they fail to do so, statements you make may be inadmissible in court.

Never assume cooperation alone will resolve the situation—politely assert your rights and contact a defense attorney immediately. Delaying legal representation risks self-incrimination or missed opportunities to challenge evidence early in the process.

What’s the difference between sealing and expunging a record in Florida?

• Sealing: Restricts public access to your criminal record, though certain government agencies can still view it.
• Expungement: Physically destroys the record, effectively erasing it for most purposes.
  Eligibility depends on case outcomes (e.g., charges dropped, acquittal). Our Florida criminal defense attorneys can assess your situation and guide you through the process.

How long do I have to act after being charged?

Act immediately. Critical deadlines apply, such as the 10-day window to challenge a DUI license suspension.

Delaying legal action risks losing opportunities to contest evidence, file motions, or negotiate plea deals. A criminal defense lawyer in Florida can ensure all timelines are met to protect your interests.

What are common penalties for DUI in Florida?

Penalties escalate with prior offenses:

• First DUI: Up to 6 months jail, $500–$1,000 fines, 6–12-month license suspension.
• Second DUI: Up to 9 months jail, $1,000–$2,000 fines, 5-year license revocation.
• Third DUI: Felony charges, 5+ years prison, $5,000+ fines, permanent revocation.
  Aggravating factors (e.g., high BAC, accidents, minors in the vehicle) increase penalties. A criminal defense attorney in Florida can challenge breathalyzer results or procedural errors to mitigate consequences.

Contact Our Criminal Defense Team Today

When facing criminal charges, time is your most critical asset. Every moment matters—whether you’re battling a DUI charge, fighting drug allegations, or confronting felony accusations, the sooner you act, the stronger your defense becomes.

At Orlando Criminal Team, our Florida criminal defense lawyers are available 24/7 to provide immediate guidance and aggressive advocacy you deserve.

Call us at (321) 332-6885 or contact us today for a free case review. Based in Orlando, FL, we’re strategically positioned to serve clients across the state.

Act now—your freedom is worth fighting for.