Experienced Criminal Defense Lawyer
Defending Misdemeanors & Felonies in Orange County's Ninth Judicial Circuit
Aggressive defense for all criminal charges from misdemeanors to felonies. Serving Orlando, Orange County, and all of Florida.
A Downtown Orlando Defense Built for
Your Future
We Move Before Your First Appearance
In Orange County, you see a judge within 24 hours of booking at the 33rd Street Booking & Release Center. That first appearance sets bond and release conditions. The sooner we are involved, the harder we can argue for a reasonable bond and the fewer mistakes you make while the State is building its case.
Constitutional Defense, Start to Finish
Illegal stops on I-4 and OBT, searches without probable cause, and Miranda violations get evidence thrown out. We examine how Orlando police and the Orange County Sheriff built the case against you — not just what the arrest affidavit claims.
Trial-Ready in the Ninth Circuit
Ninth Circuit prosecutors offer better resolutions when a defense firm is genuinely prepared to try the case at the Orange County Courthouse. We build every file — misdemeanor or felony — as if it is going in front of an Orange County jury.
One Orange County Charge Can
Change Everything
A conviction in Orlando can mean jail at the Orange County Jail, fines, probation, and a permanent Florida record that follows you through every job, apartment, and licensing application in Central Florida. From our office across from the Orange County Courthouse, HOV Law steps in early — when the most options are still on the table.
Your Orlando Defense Process
From the Booking & Release Center on 33rd Street through the Ninth Judicial Circuit, here is how we fight an Orange County charge.
Free, Confidential Case Review
Call (407) 801-0101 the moment you or a loved one is arrested in Orlando — day or night. Your first consultation is free and confidential. We review the arrest, the exact charges on the Orange County affidavit, the evidence, and any constitutional problems in how it was gathered.
First Appearance & Bond at the BRC
Within 24 hours of booking at the 33rd Street Booking & Release Center, a judge holds your first appearance and sets bond. We push for release on reasonable conditions and address no-contact orders, GPS, and pretrial-release terms so a charge does not cost you your job while the case is pending.
Discovery, Motions & Diversion
We obtain the police report, body-cam and dash-cam footage, 911 calls, and lab results, and file motions to suppress evidence or dismiss where the facts support it. For eligible clients we pursue the Ninth Circuit's Pre-Trial Diversion program, which can end in a dismissal.
Resolution or Trial
We negotiate with the State Attorney's Office for reduced charges, diversion, or dismissal — and when the State will not offer a fair resolution, we try the case before a jury at the Orange County Courthouse. That readiness is often what drives a better outcome.
Orlando Criminal Defense Lawyer — Protecting Your Rights in Orange County
Being arrested in Orlando is frightening, and what you do in the first 24 hours matters more than almost anything that follows. The Orange County Sheriff's Office, the Orlando Police Department, and the State Attorney for the Ninth Judicial Circuit start building their case immediately — you deserve someone building yours just as fast. HOV Law defends people charged with misdemeanors and felonies throughout Orange County and across Central Florida.
From the first phone call, our focus is protecting your rights: your right to remain silent, your right to counsel, and your right to make the State prove every element of its case beyond a reasonable doubt. We handle DUI, drug, theft, assault and battery, domestic violence, weapons, and serious felony charges — the full range of what moves through the Orange County Courthouse.
Our office is at 135 W Central Blvd, Suite 1150, in downtown Orlando — directly across from the Orange County Courthouse and minutes from the 33rd Street Booking & Release Center. Your consultation is always free and confidential, and we offer clear, transparent fees. Call (407) 801-0101 any time, day or night.
What Happens After an Arrest in Orlando
- Understanding the Orange County process helps you make better decisions under pressure. A criminal case in Orlando generally moves through these stages:
- Booking at the 33rd Street BRC—After an arrest, you are taken to the Booking & Release Center on 33rd Street for fingerprints, a photo, and medical screening. Booking alone typically takes several hours before bond can even be addressed.
- First Appearance (within 24 hours)—A judge reviews the arrest affidavit for probable cause and sets bond and release conditions, often by video from the BRC. Having a lawyer engaged at this stage can mean the difference between sitting in jail and going home.
- Filing Decision & Arraignment—The State Attorney's Office decides what formal charges to file (which can differ from the arrest charges), and you are arraigned. Misdemeanors are handled in Orange County Court; felonies proceed in the Ninth Circuit's Circuit Court.
- Pretrial, Motions & Resolution—The case moves through discovery and pretrial hearings, where we litigate motions, negotiate, or pursue diversion — and, if necessary, set the matter for trial.
Misdemeanors vs. Felonies in Florida
- Florida sorts crimes by severity, and the classification drives everything that follows—the potential penalties, which Orange County court hears the case, and the long-term consequences.
- Second-degree misdemeanor—Up to 60 days in the Orange County Jail and a $500 fine (e.g., disorderly conduct, simple trespass). Prosecuted in Orange County Court.
- First-degree misdemeanor—Up to 1 year in jail and a $1,000 fine (e.g., petit theft, simple battery, first-offense DUI). Also handled in County Court.
- Felonies—Third-degree felonies carry up to 5 years in state prison; second-degree up to 15 years; first-degree up to 30 years; with life and capital felonies above that. Felonies are prosecuted in the Ninth Circuit's Circuit Court, and Florida's point-based sentencing scoresheet can require prison time.
- Collateral consequences—Beyond jail and fines, a Florida conviction can affect employment, professional licenses, housing, immigration status, firearm rights, and your driver's license — long after any sentence ends.
How an Orlando Defense Attorney Fights the Charges
A strong defense is not about a single silver bullet — it is about pressure at every stage of the Orange County case. We look for the traffic stop on I-4, the Turnpike, or OBT that lacked reasonable suspicion; the search that lacked a warrant or a valid exception; the interrogation that ignored Miranda; and the lab, breath, or field test that was not properly administered.
Depending on the facts, that work can lead to evidence being suppressed, charges being reduced, admission into a diversion program, or an outright dismissal. When it does not, we are prepared to take your case to trial before an Orange County jury and hold the State to its burden of proof.
We also handle the practical fallout — bond and pretrial-release conditions, no-contact orders, and driver-license issues — so a pending charge does not quietly upend your life in the months before resolution.
Diversion & Pre-Trial Intervention in the Ninth Circuit
- For many first-time and non-violent clients, the best outcome is avoiding a conviction entirely—and the Ninth Judicial Circuit has one of Florida's oldest diversion programs to make that possible. The State Attorney's Office created its Pre-Trial Diversion program in 1974, and it remains a central tool in Orange County today.
- General misdemeanor diversion—For qualifying non-drug, non-DUI charges like simple battery, criminal mischief, disorderly conduct, and trespass. Completion leads to the charge being dismissed.
- Drug diversion—A longer track for eligible possession and paraphernalia charges, typically involving supervision, a drug evaluation, and random testing, ending in dismissal on successful completion.
- Felony PTI—Certain non-violent felony cases can qualify for felony pre-trial intervention, keeping a felony conviction off your record.
- Eligibility depends on the charge and your history. We evaluate whether any Orange County program fits your case and advocate for admission where it protects your future.
What to Do If You Are Arrested in Orlando
- Say as little as possible—Politely give your name and then invoke your right to remain silent. You cannot talk your way out of an Orange County arrest, but you can talk your way into a conviction.
- Ask for a lawyer—Once you request counsel, questioning must stop. Do not answer questions or consent to searches of your car, phone, or home without an attorney.
- Do not post about the case—Anything you say online can be used against you by the State Attorney's Office.
- Call HOV Law before your first appearance—The sooner we are involved, the sooner we can argue bond, protect your rights, and start building your defense. Call (407) 801-0101, day or night.
The Orange County Charges We Defend
- HOV Law defends the full range of criminal matters in Orlando and across the Ninth Judicial Circuit. Explore the specific charge you are facing:
- DUI & DWI — Breath-test and stop challenges, plus the 10-day license fight. See our Orlando DUI lawyer page.
- Drug charges — Illegal-search defenses and Orange County drug diversion. See our Orlando drug possession lawyer page.
- Assault & battery — Self-defense, Stand Your Ground, and domestic cases. See our Orlando assault & battery lawyer page.
- Felonies — Trial-ready defense and scoresheet strategy. See our Orlando felony defense lawyer page.
- Misdemeanors — Protecting your record through diversion and dismissal. See our Orlando misdemeanor lawyer page.
- Gun & weapons charges — Carry, possession, and 10-20-Life exposure. See our Orlando gun charges lawyer page.
Why Orlando Clients Choose HOV Law
- HOV Law is a local, downtown Orlando firm headquartered at 135 W Central Blvd, Suite 1150 — across from the Orange County Courthouse, not a billboard operation routing your call to a distant call center. Your case is handled personally by our attorneys.
- Local knowledge—We appear regularly before Ninth Circuit judges and know how the Orange County State Attorney's Office and its diversion programs work in practice.
- Available 24/7—Arrests do not wait for business hours, and neither do we. Call (407) 801-0101 any time.
- Recognized advocacy — Founding attorney Serge Hovhanessian has been recognized among The National Trial Lawyers' Top 40 Under 40, with a 5-star aggregate rating across 293 Google reviews. Learn more on our team page.
- Free consultation, transparent fees—Your first call is free and confidential, and our criminal-defense fees are clear and agreed up front.
Our Downtown Orlando Office
HOV Law is located at 135 W Central Blvd, Suite 1150, Orlando, FL 32801 — in the heart of downtown, directly across from the Orange County Courthouse and a short drive from the 33rd Street Booking & Release Center. If a loved one has just been arrested in Orange County, call (407) 801-0101 now.
Related Practice Areas in Orlando
Criminal Defense charges often overlap with other criminal allegations. Our Orlando defense attorneys also handle these related areas:
Other Criminal Defense Services in Orlando
Also serving Orlando for Personal Injury:
Serge Hovhanessian, Esq.
Founding Attorney at HOV Law | Florida Bar | Million Dollar Advocates Forum | Top 40 Under 40 Trial Lawyers
Attorney Hovhanessian defends the accused across Florida — protecting your rights, your record, and your freedom.Read full bio →
Verified 5-Star Google Reviews
What Orlando Clients Say About HOV Law
A 5.0-star average across 293 Google reviews. Hear directly from clients we've represented in Orlando and across Florida.
Orlando Criminal Defense FAQs
How much does an Orlando criminal defense lawyer cost?
HOV Law offers a free, confidential consultation and clear, transparent fees for criminal defense. Fees depend on the charge and the complexity of the case — criminal defense is not handled on contingency. Call (407) 801-0101 to discuss your situation at no cost.
What happens at a first appearance in Orange County?
Within 24 hours of booking at the 33rd Street Booking & Release Center, a judge reviews the arrest affidavit for probable cause and sets bond and release conditions — often by video. Having a lawyer engaged for your first appearance can be the difference between going home and remaining in custody.
Should I just talk to the police and explain my side?
No. Politely decline to answer questions and ask for a lawyer. Orlando officers are not required to help you, and statements meant to explain often become the strongest evidence the State Attorney uses against you. Let your attorney speak for you.
Can my charges be reduced or dismissed in Orlando?
Often, yes. Depending on the evidence, constitutional issues, and your history, charges can be reduced, resolved through the Ninth Circuit's diversion programs, or dismissed — sometimes before trial. We evaluate every avenue for your Orange County case.
What is the difference between a misdemeanor and a felony in Florida?
Misdemeanors are punishable by up to 1 year in the county jail and are prosecuted in Orange County Court; felonies carry a year or more in state prison, are handled in the Ninth Circuit's Circuit Court, and bring heavier long-term consequences. The classification shapes your entire defense strategy.
Which court will hear my Orlando case?
Cases in Orlando are handled by the Ninth Judicial Circuit at the Orange County Courthouse, 425 N Orange Ave. Misdemeanors go through County Court and felonies through Circuit Court. Our office is directly across the street.
Do I qualify for a diversion program in Orange County?
Eligibility depends on the charge and your record, but first-time and non-violent offenders often qualify for the Ninth Circuit's Pre-Trial Diversion — general misdemeanor, drug, or felony tracks — which can end in dismissal. Call (407) 801-0101 and we will tell you where you stand.
How soon should I contact a lawyer after an arrest in Orlando?
Immediately — ideally before your first appearance. Early involvement lets us argue for a reasonable bond, protect your rights, preserve evidence, and begin challenging the case from the outset. HOV Law answers the phone 24/7 at (407) 801-0101.
Will a conviction stay on my record in Florida?
A conviction generally creates a permanent Florida criminal record. In some cases you may qualify to have a charge sealed or expunged, especially where adjudication was withheld or the charge was dismissed through diversion. We can advise whether that may be available in your situation.
Can you get someone out of the Orange County Jail?
We cannot post bond for you, but we can appear at the first appearance to argue for release on reasonable conditions or a lower bond, and address issues like no-contact orders and pretrial supervision. The faster you call, the more we can do before that hearing.
Do you handle both misdemeanor and felony cases in Orange County?
Yes. HOV Law defends the full range of charges in Orlando and throughout the Ninth Judicial Circuit, from traffic-related misdemeanors to serious felonies. Contact us for a free case review.
I was arrested as a visitor to Orlando — do I need to come back for court?
Often a local attorney can appear on your behalf for many hearings, so you may not have to travel back to Orange County for every court date. We regularly represent out-of-state visitors arrested near the theme parks, International Drive, and downtown. Call (407) 801-0101 to discuss your case.
Charged in
Orlando?
Do not talk to Orlando police or the State Attorney before you talk to a lawyer. Contact HOV Law for a free, confidential consultation with an Orlando criminal defense attorney. Available 24/7.