Facing Criminal Charges in Orlando: What To Expect and How a Board Certified Defense Attorney Helps

Sirens, handcuffs, a night in the Orange County Jail. For many people arrested in Orlando, the first hours feel confusing and frightening. Work, family, immigration status, and even travel plans hang in the balance. You look for answers fast and see many law firm ads, yet you still wonder who to trust and how much trouble you face. During this stage, advice from an experienced Orlando criminal defense attorney often makes a decisive difference in your case and your life.

This guide explains what to expect after an arrest in Central Florida, common criminal charges in the area, and how a board certified criminal trial lawyer approaches defense strategy. It also covers key questions to ask before you hire any criminal defense lawyer in Orlando.

What Happens After an Arrest in Orlando

Every case starts with a police stop, investigation, or complaint. Arrests in Orlando and nearby communities such as Winter Park, Altamonte Springs, or Kissimmee usually follow one of three paths:

1. Officers see alleged conduct themselves and make an on scene arrest
2. Officers respond to a call from a witness or alleged victim and decide to arrest at the scene
3. A judge signs a warrant based on a sworn statement, sometimes after a longer investigation

After an arrest in Orange County or Seminole County, several steps follow in quick order.

Booking and release options

At the jail, officers record personal information, fingerprints, and photographs. Property goes into storage. Officers list the charges and set an initial bond amount, often based on a standard schedule.

Some people qualify for release by posting bond or through supervised release programs. Others stay in custody until a judge reviews the case at first appearance.

First appearance

Within roughly 24 hours, a judge holds a first appearance hearing. During this hearing, the judge explains the charges in general terms, addresses release conditions, and decides whether to lower or raise bond. A public defender or private Orlando criminal defense lawyer speaks on your behalf regarding release conditions.

Family members often feel scared during this stage, especially when a loved one faces serious Florida criminal charges such as aggravated assault, domestic violence, or drug trafficking. Having an attorney prepared for first appearance helps present information about work, family ties, and prior record in a clear way.

Arraignment and formal charges

After first appearance, the State Attorney’s Office reviews police reports and decides whether to file formal charges. Arraignment is the hearing where the court reads those charges and asks for a plea of guilty, no contest, or not guilty.

In many Orlando and Central Florida cases, an attorney files a written plea of not guilty and waives a formal arraignment hearing. This keeps the case moving while preserving all rights.

Common Criminal Charges in Central Florida

Orlando and the broader I 4 corridor see a wide range of criminal cases, from misdemeanors to serious felonies. Common examples include:

1. DUI and related traffic offenses
2. Drug possession, sale, or trafficking
3. Domestic violence related charges
4. Theft, fraud, and property crimes
5. Violent offenses such as robbery or aggravated battery
6. Sex offenses
7. Probation violations

DUI and driving related charges

Police in Orlando, Sanford, Lake Mary, and along I 4 conduct frequent DUI patrols and checkpoints. A single drink before driving in a rental car near the theme parks sometimes leads to a stop, field sobriety exercises, and a breath test request.

An Orlando DUI attorney evaluates the reason for the stop, test procedures, and prior record. Early intervention often helps protect driving privileges, employment, and professional licenses.

Drug cases

College students near UCF or Valencia, tourists near International Drive, and residents across Central Florida sometimes face drug possession charges after traffic stops or searches of dorm rooms, hotel rooms, or homes. Issues such as search warrants, consent, and constructive possession often decide whether evidence enters court.

Domestic violence and family related charges

Arguments between partners or family members in homes from Altamonte Springs to Clermont sometimes lead to calls for help and domestic violence arrests. These cases frequently intersect with divorce, paternity, or child custody disputes.

In these situations, coordination between a criminal defense lawyer in Orlando and an Orlando family law attorney helps manage the impact on injunction hearings and family court orders.

Why a Board Certified Orlando Criminal Defense Attorney Matters

Florida recognizes board certification for lawyers who meet strict requirements in specific practice areas. A board certified criminal trial lawyer completes extensive trial work, peer review, and a written examination focused on criminal law and procedure.

For someone facing Florida criminal charges in Orange County criminal court or Seminole County criminal court, board certification signals focused experience in serious criminal litigation. A certified Orlando criminal defense attorney studies issues such as suppression of evidence, constitutional rights, plea negotiations, and trial strategy every day.

Local experience also matters. Knowledge of how judges, prosecutors, and local probation officers handle issues in Orlando, Winter Park, Apopka, and nearby areas helps shape more realistic expectations. Working with a board certified criminal trial lawyer in Orlando connects you with counsel who prepares each case with trial in mind, even when negotiation remains the goal.

Key Stages in a Florida Criminal Case

While every situation differs, most cases in Central Florida move through several predictable stages.

Investigation

An investigation stage often begins before any arrest. Officers interview witnesses, collect video, review phone records, and request lab testing. If you learn about an investigation early, contact an attorney before any interview. A lawyer communicates with detectives, attends interviews, and sometimes influences whether charges move forward.

Arrest and booking

This stage includes the initial detention, transport, and processing at the jail described above.

First appearance and bond

The focus here is release conditions, no contact orders, and initial bond amounts. Strong argument from an attorney helps reduce bond or secure non monetary release for people with stable ties to Orlando and Central Florida.

Pretrial hearings and plea negotiations

After arraignment, the court sets pretrial hearings. During this phase, defense counsel requests evidence, reviews police reports, conducts depositions, files motions, and negotiates with prosecutors. Some cases resolve with dismissal, reduction of charges, or plea agreements with agreed sentencing ranges or diversion programs.

Trial

Cases which do not resolve through negotiation proceed to trial before a judge or jury. Trial involves jury selection, opening statements, witness testimony, cross examination, and closing argument. A board certified criminal trial lawyer draws on courtroom experience to present your defense effectively and challenge the state’s evidence.

Questions To Ask Before Hiring a Lawyer

Choosing the right legal representation after an arrest in Orlando, Maitland, Oviedo, or Casselberry has lasting impact. During consultations, consider asking:

1. How much of your practice focuses on criminal defense in Orange and Seminole Counties
2. Do you hold board certification in criminal trial law
3. How often do you appear in the specific courthouse where my case sits
4. What common defenses or strategies apply to charges similar to mine
5. How will communication work between our meetings
6. Who handles my case day to day
7. What payment options exist and what services fall within the quoted fee

Look for clear, direct answers instead of vague promises. An experienced Orlando criminal defense lawyer explains legal concepts in plain English and offers an honest assessment of risks and options.

Common Mistakes After an Arrest in Central Florida

Stress and fear lead many people to choices which harm their defense. Frequent mistakes include:

1. Talking to officers without legal counsel present
2. Posting details about the arrest on social media
3. Contacting alleged victims or witnesses in violation of no contact orders
4. Missing court dates or arriving late
5. Ignoring driver’s license issues after a DUI arrest
6. Hiring an attorney without meaningful criminal defense experience

Prompt advice from a Central Florida criminal defense attorney often prevents these missteps.

Preparing for Your First Meeting With a Lawyer

Arrive at your first appointment organized and ready to share details. Preparation helps your attorney evaluate risk quickly and plan next steps.

Bring:

1. Any paperwork from the arrest or jail
2. Court notices and upcoming hearing dates
3. Contact information for potential witnesses
4. Copies of text messages, emails, or photographs related to the incident
5. A brief timeline of events, including prior charges or convictions

During the meeting, answer questions honestly. Everything you share with your attorney stays confidential under attorney client privilege. Ask for a clear explanation of the charges, possible penalties, and realistic next steps.

The Value of Local Representation in Orlando and Central Florida

Criminal cases involve more than statutes and rules. Outcomes often reflect local practices, personalities, and unwritten expectations in specific courtrooms. Experience in Orange County criminal court and Seminole County criminal court helps a defense lawyer anticipate which arguments resonate with certain judges, how local prosecutors approach plea offers, and what probation officers expect for compliance.

Local connections also matter for people from outside Central Florida. Tourists or business travelers arrested near the attractions, college students at UCF facing alcohol or drug charges, and visitors stopped for DUI on I 4 benefit from guidance by a criminal defense lawyer in Orlando who knows the area and its courts.

When you work with an Orlando criminal defense attorney at a firm such as the Law Office of Adam L. Pollack, you receive counsel familiar with local rules, diversion programs, and sentencing trends in Orlando and nearby cities such as Ocoee, Clermont, and Lake Mary.

How a Board Certified Criminal Trial Lawyer Helps

A board certified criminal trial lawyer in Orlando approaches each case with preparation for trial, even when negotiation appears likely. This preparation includes:

1. Careful review of police reports, videos, and forensic evidence
2. Independent investigation, including interviews and record collection
3. Legal research on search and seizure issues, confessions, and procedural rules
4. Motion practice targeting weak points in the prosecution’s case
5. Honest counseling about plea options and trial risks

Strong trial preparation improves negotiation leverage as well. Prosecutors pay attention when they know a defense attorney will challenge evidence and obtain jury trials when necessary.

Victims of domestic violence allegations with related divorce or custody disputes also need counsel who understands both sides of the problem. Coordination between an Orlando domestic violence defense lawyer and, when needed, an Orlando family law attorney helps protect parental rights and manage conflicting orders in criminal and family court.

Disclaimer and Next Steps

This article provides general information about Florida criminal charges and court procedure. It does not provide legal advice for any specific situation and does not create an attorney client relationship. Anyone facing charges or under investigation should speak directly with a licensed attorney in their jurisdiction.

If you or someone you love faces arrest in Orlando, Winter Park, Altamonte Springs, Apopka, or any nearby Central Florida community, prompt legal advice makes a difference. A focused practice such as the Law Office of Adam L. Pollack offers a free criminal defense consultation in Orlando so you receive an initial case review, learn about potential defenses, and plan your next steps with experienced guidance.