Orlando Criminal Defense Lawyers

We Are Expert Orlando Criminal Defense Attorneys

We are here to fight for you – and your reputation.

Hiring an experienced criminal lawyer is crucial for criminal defendants facing charges, as they can provide the skilled defense needed to protect your rights and future. Let’s start with what county you were arrested in or what your charges are. Our firm has extensive experience representing criminal defendants in Orlando and throughout Florida.

What County is Your Criminal Case In?

We help people in various counties throughout Florida, including (but not limited to) the following:

Our firm has extensive experience handling criminal cases in Orange and Osceola County, as well as Orange County, giving us strong local expertise.

When facing criminal charges in Florida, having a knowledgeable advocate who understands your rights can transform your experience with the justice system. The moments after an arrest are crucial, and knowing what protections the law affords you can significantly impact the outcome of your case, from bail determination to potential dismissal of charges.

At Fighter Law, we’ve guided countless clients through Florida’s complex criminal defense process with dedication and care. Our board-certified lawyers bring both courtroom experience and strategic insight to every case, ensuring your rights are protected from the moment of arrest through final resolution. We believe everyone deserves a powerful defense, regardless of the charges they face.

What Are Your Rights When Arrested in Florida?

When you are arrested in Florida, understanding your rights can make a significant difference in how your case progresses. The most critical rights include the right to remain silent, which protects you from self-incrimination, and the right to have a criminal defense lawyer present during questioning. It’s important to exercise these rights immediately to avoid making statements or decisions that may harm your defense. You also have the right to know the charges against you, ensuring you’re fully aware of the accusations before moving forward. In Florida, the Speedy Trial Rule specifies that a defendant must be brought to trial within 90 days for a misdemeanor and 175 days for a felony, starting from the date of arrest.

At Fighter Law, we emphasize the importance of safeguarding your rights at every step of the criminal defense process. From your first interaction with law enforcement, you may be facing a complex legal system designed to secure a conviction. We guide you through this process, ensuring your rights are upheld and any violations are identified and addressed in your defense strategy. Our board-certified criminal defense attorneys fight relentlessly for fair treatment and the best possible outcomes.

How Florida’s Criminal Defense Process Works

The Florida criminal defense process begins with an arrest or notice of charges and proceeds through several critical stages. After the initial hearing, where bail may be set, discovery and pretrial negotiations take center stage. Evidence is exchanged, and both sides may discuss plea deals or prepare for trial. If the case proceeds to trial, it culminates in a verdict and, if necessary, appeals to higher courts.

Navigating this process can be overwhelming without the proper guidance. Fighter Law takes a proactive approach, ensuring you are informed and prepared for each step. Our team reviews evidence meticulously, identifies weaknesses in the prosecution’s case, and builds a compelling defense. With decades of experience and board-certified trial lawyers, we are equipped to handle your case with precision and care, giving you a strong ally in a complex legal system.

How We Fight Criminal Charges For Our Clients

Criminal defense law is a broad and demanding area of law that can be confusing to non-lawyers.  We break it down and explain how the law and process apply to each individual client, so you don’t have to worry or stress over what is otherwise a very daunting and intimidating process.

Rest assured, criminal defense is our primary practice area, and we are very experienced in trials and motions, specifically in criminal cases. We know the processes, the prosecutors, and the judges. We have been in business since 2011, and you are in good hands here – our online reviews confirm it.  Below is some more general information on the process.

When you are looking for a criminal defense lawyer to represent you in court, the reputation of the lawyer and their skill with strategy are important to giving you the best odds for a positive outcome in your case. Keep in mind, everyone has the right to representation.  If you cannot afford a criminal defense attorney, one will be appointed to represent you.  That’s usually a public defender.  There are a lot of good public defenders out there.  However, allowing a public defender to represent you may not be your best option.

A private attorney has an additional incentive to work hard on your case: money.  Your case deserves the attention required to get you the best possible outcome. Your lawyer needs to care about your case. Your criminal defense lawyer should fight for you and explore all possible defenses and strategies.  

Sometimes, a trial is your best option, but it’s not usually the only one.  Avoiding trial – and lessening your chances of a lengthy prison sentence – might be something that is in your best interests.  If you are being given a bad offer or one that is not acceptable to you, trial may be the only way.  If that is the case, you can rest assured that we will be ready.  We are not afraid of going to trial, and we have done many in the past.  We are experienced and we are fighters.  That benefits you, our client.

Let us help you build your defense and navigate all the nuances of the criminal justice system to get you the best possible outcome. To see more about forming a defense and how we can help you, please see our page on all available Florida defenses.

What charge(s) are you facing?

Select from the below charges. We have experience in them all.

What defenses do I have?

Here is a list of the most common defenses used in criminal cases.  Prosecutors and defense criminal defense attorneys are all aware of them and when they might apply.  However, a good criminal defense lawyer will be able to figure out what applies to your case and plan a strategy around it.  We go through this list with all of our clients and explore all possible defenses as a team with you.

1. Alibi: The classic criminal defense.  You basically have a great explanation of how “it wasn’t you” or “you were someplace else at the time of the crime and can prove it.”
2. Entrapment: This one may require the filing of a motion and is common in drug and sex crimes.
3. Duress or necessity: If someone made you do it, or you had no choice but to commit a crime or face harm yourself, this defense may apply.
4. Stand your ground: This is a more commonly used defense in Florida.  We have filed these motions very successfully in the past and have experience in handling them.
5. Justifiable use of non-deadly force: Non-deadly force means force not likely to cause death or great bodily harm.
6. Insanity: This defense may require an expert psychiatric or psychological evaluation.
7. Independent act: This is a more complex defense that requires that the act that constituted the crime was not what you intended – it was an “independent act.”  It’s not too common, but it’s a good defense when it applies.
8. Voluntary intoxication: This is an old defense that only applies to crimes committed before 1999.

Experience

Hire an experienced criminal defense attorney.  Do not just hire a lawyer because they seem nice.  If you do that, you will regret it later.  Ask the hard questions now.

How long has the attorney been practicing law?  How many trials have they done?  Some young attorneys are very competent and can hold their own with any 20-year veteran lawyer or judge.  But there is no substitute for experience.  Do not hire a lawyer with less than five years of active litigation experience.  If the lawyer is hesitant to tell you exactly what their experience is, that is a red flag.

Has the attorney ever been a prosecutor or a public defender?  This applies to the state and federal governments. There is nothing like knowing how government attorneys think and work.  Getting that first-hand experience that only government lawyer can get is priceless.   Try to get a defense lawyer who has that in their background.

Local Attorney–Home Field Advantage

Hiring a local attorney who actively practices before the local judges is a huge advantage.  The law in Florida is the same everywhere, but an attorney’s reputation precedes him or her. This means the judges and prosecutors know who your attorney is before they walk into the courtroom.  You want them to be well-known and well-liked.  There is no question that it is a tremendous advantage for the attorney to know the judge, their likes and dislikes, how they rule, and why.

Courage

Hire a criminal defense lawyer who can look you in the eye and inspire confidence in you.  If your case has to go to trial, will your lawyer have the courage to go all the way?  How many trials have they done?  How have other clients spoken about them and their presence in the courtroom?  The courage to take a case to trial is highly important.  You do not want a lawyer to get scared (or be unprepared) right before trial and force you to take a plea deal.

Why Board Certification Matters in Criminal Defense

Board certification is the Florida Bar’s highest recognition of a lawyer’s professionalism, experience in a specific area of law. This certification demonstrates that an attorney has undergone rigorous testing, peer evaluation, and continuing education to be recognized as a leader in their field. For clients, it provides confidence in the criminal defense attorney’s ability to handle complex cases with skill and dedication.

At Fighter Law, board certification isn’t just a credential; it’s a testament to our commitment to excellence in criminal defense. Thomas Fighter was named Florida’s Board Certified Lawyer of the Year in 2015, underscoring the firm’s dedication to quality representation. With us, you have more than a lawyer – you have a certified advocate with the knowledge and skills to protect your rights and fight for the best possible result.

When Do You Need to Hire a Criminal Defense Lawyer?

The simple answer is: as soon as possible.  The police and investigators are not your friends.  People who (1) hire a criminal defense attorney right away, and (2) don’t talk to the police have a much higher chance of getting a better outcome or beating the charges altogether.  As soon as there is an arrest or a detective, a police officer, or a deputy asking questions, stop talking to them and call an experienced Orlando criminal defense lawyer right away.  You will be glad you did.

What Kind of Questions Should I Ask When Hiring an Attorney?

Here is a list of some of the questions you want to ask when hiring a criminal defense lawyer for your criminal case:

1. How confident are you that you can get me a good outcome in my case?  Why?
2. Are there any good motions that can be filed in my case?
3. What is it that you will do in my case that other attorneys might not?
4. What will give me the best chances of getting a favorable outcome here?
5. What can we do as a team to get my case going in a positive direction?
6. How much experience do you have?
7. Have you ever done this kind of case before?
8. Do you know the prosecutors and/or judges that may be involved in my case?
9. Do you have a support staff, or is it just you handling my case?

At Fighter Law, Thomas Feiter and Jessica Travis are prepared to answer all these questions honestly and thoroughly during your initial consultation, giving you the confidence to make an informed decision about your representation.

How Do I Find the Right Criminal Defense Attorney?

In this digital age that we are all living in, Google and other search engines have become indispensable tools for when people are looking for reliable information about various services, including finding a criminal defense lawyer and what defenses may be available. Before a person becomes a client, they frequently turn to search engines to gather information, evaluate options, and ultimately hire the right lawyer to protect their rights and interests, or the rights and interests of the person who needs representation. When it comes to hiring a criminal defense attorney, this is what I have found to be most important to most people who are looking to hire a criminal defense lawyer:

Understanding Criminal Law and Defenses

We recognize that people want to understand the law that applies to the jurisdiction, state, or city in which they were arrested, or where their loved one was arrested.  Unless they are personally referred to a lawyer by a friend or family member, they usually look for a criminal defense attorney on Google to gain some understanding of criminal law. Often, they search for basic information to educate themselves about the legal process, different types of criminal charges, potential penalties, and their rights. Common search queries include “What does a criminal defense lawyer do?” or “Types of criminal charges and defenses.” This is often a good thing because it allows sophisticated clients to prepare questions in advance for the criminal defense lawyer.

Finding a Qualified Criminal Defense Attorney

A significant portion of online searches related to hiring a criminal defense lawyer revolve around finding qualified legal professionals. People often search for “best criminal defense lawyers in [State, County, or City]” or “top-rated criminal defense attorneys.” They are looking for a criminal defense attorney with experience in handling criminal cases in that jurisdiction, a strong track record of success, and positive reviews from previous clients. These searches reflect the importance of reputation and credibility in the selection process. Fighter Law checks every one of those boxes, by the way!

Specialization and Experience

When searching for a criminal defense lawyer, individuals often look for a criminal defense attorneys who focus on specific areas of criminal law, such as DUI defense, drug offenses, white-collar crimes, or domestic violence. Queries like “criminal defense lawyer for drug charges” or “DUI attorney near me” tell us that people recognize the value of hiring a lawyer with knowledge and experience in their particular case. They seek a criminal defense attorney who can offer tailored strategies and understand the nuances of the legal challenges they (or their loved ones) may be facing. Again, we check these boxes and seek to provide the very best for a presentation for every one of our clients.

Local Criminal Defense Lawyer Representation

Geographical proximity plays a crucial role in the decision-making process when hiring a criminal defense attorney. Many individuals search for lawyers in their local area to ensure accessibility, easy communication, and familiarity with local courts, judges, prosecutors, and procedures. Searches like “criminal defense lawyer in [State, County, or City]” or “criminal defense attorney near me” show the preference for local representation. Clients also often look for criminal defense attorneys who are licensed to practice in their specific jurisdiction, recognizing the importance of having a lawyer who is well-versed in the local laws and regulations.

Cost and Affordability

Budgetary and financial considerations are important to most people when selecting a criminal defense lawyer. People frequently search for information regarding the cost of legal services, payment options, and potential discounts. Queries like “affordable criminal defense attorney” or “free legal aid for criminal charges” indicate that cost-conscious individuals are actively seeking affordable representation. Some may also search for information on pro bono services or public defenders, especially if they face financial constraints. While we are certainly sensitive to this fact, we recognize that we are not the most affordable option for most people. With our training, experience, and education in the local rules, and our knowledge of the law, as well as personal experiences and relationships with prosecutors and judges, we are usually more expensive than most private criminal defense law firms out there. However, most of our clients will agree that, like a very good/specialized physician, we are worth the money. We want to bring value to all of our clients, and earn on our fees.

Reputation and Credibility

At Fighter Law, we have a strong reputation within the legal community and positive testimonials from past clients. You are in good hands with us. In your research, you will see that we are all respected by judges, prosecutors, and other attorneys in town.

Communication Skills

We understand that effective communication is crucial in your case. We know you want a criminal defense attorney who can clearly explain legal concepts, procedures, and potential outcomes in a way that you can understand. That is what we strive for here. Additionally, you can expect prompt responses to your inquiries and updates on your case’s progress throughout the process.

Hire Fighter Law–We Fight Because We Care

Don’t face the Florida criminal justice system alone. After investigating your options, we’re confident our team’s experience and dedication will stand out. Thomas Feiter and Jessica Travis, both Board-Certified Trial Lawyers with backgrounds as former prosecutors, will personally oversee your defense and leverage their courtroom expertise to achieve the best possible outcome in your case. 

Contact us today at 407-214-3837 or through our contact form for a free consultation where we’ll discuss your specific situation and potential defense strategies. While no outcome can be guaranteed, we promise to fight relentlessly for your rights and future.