Defending Felony Charges
Trial-Ready Defense Against Serious Felony Charges in the Ninth Circuit
Experienced defense against serious felony charges with maximum stakes. Serving Orlando, Orange County, and all of Florida.
Trial-Ready Defense
for Serious Charges
Serious Charges, Serious Defense
Felony charges in Orlando carry the risk of years in Florida state prison. We prepare these Ninth Circuit cases thoroughly — from the first appearance and arraignment through discovery, motions, and trial at the Orange County Courthouse.
Scoresheet Strategy
Florida's Criminal Punishment Code uses a point-based scoresheet to determine your prison exposure. We work to reduce scoresheet points, challenge charges that inflate them, and argue for a downward departure where the law allows.
Full Independent Investigation
We do not accept the arrest affidavit as the truth. We locate witnesses, examine forensics and how evidence was gathered by Orlando police, and reconstruct events instead of taking the State's narrative at face value.
When Your Freedom
Is on the Line
A felony conviction in Orange County can mean years in Florida state prison and a lifetime of consequences — lost voting and firearm rights, closed career doors, and more. These cases are prosecuted hard in the Ninth Circuit, and they demand a defense built for trial from the start.
Your Orlando Felony Defense Process
Felony cases are prosecuted in the Ninth Circuit's Circuit Court and demand a defense built for trial from day one. Here is our approach.
Free, Confidential Case Review
Call (407) 801-0101 for a free, confidential consultation. We review the felony charges on the Orange County affidavit, the evidence, your prior record, and the constitutional issues — and we begin building for trial from the very first meeting.
First Appearance, Bond & Arraignment
We argue for a reasonable bond at first appearance and address pretrial-release conditions. Felony cases are then formally charged by the State Attorney and arraigned in the Ninth Circuit's Circuit Court, where we enter our appearance and demand discovery.
Investigation, Motions & Scoresheet
We independently investigate, litigate motions to suppress or dismiss, and attack the Criminal Punishment Code scoresheet — challenging charges that inflate the points, contesting victim-injury points, and preparing a case for a downward departure.
Negotiated Resolution or Jury Trial
Where trial is not the best path, we negotiate for reduced charges, alternative sentencing, or felony PTI. When the State overreaches, we are ready to try the case before an Orange County jury and hold it to its burden of proof.
Orlando Felony Defense Lawyer — Protecting Your Freedom in Orange County
A felony charge in Orlando is one of the most serious situations a person can face. Under Florida law, felonies are punishable by more than a year in state prison — and the collateral consequences last far longer than any sentence. From the moment of arrest, the State Attorney for the Ninth Judicial Circuit is building its case, and you need a defense that is just as serious and just as early.
HOV Law defends clients against felony charges across Orange County and Central Florida — drug felonies, theft and property crimes, violent offenses, weapons charges, fraud, and more. We prepare every case for trial at the Orange County Courthouse, because that preparation is exactly what protects your options at the negotiating table.
Our office is at 135 W Central Blvd, Suite 1150, in downtown Orlando, directly across from the courthouse where your case will be heard. Your consultation is free and confidential, and we offer transparent fees. Call (407) 801-0101, day or night.
Florida Felony Classifications and Penalties
- Florida grades felonies by degree, each with its own maximum penalty, all prosecuted in the Ninth Circuit's Circuit Court:
- Third-degree felony—Up to 5 years in prison and a $5,000 fine.
- Second-degree felony—Up to 15 years in prison and a $10,000 fine.
- First-degree felony—Up to 30 years in prison and a $10,000 fine.
- Life felony—Up to life in prison.
- Capital felony—The most serious classification, carrying life without parole or the death penalty.
Florida's Criminal Punishment Code Scoresheet
The scoresheet is where a huge amount of felony defense actually happens, and most people have never heard of it. Florida uses the Criminal Punishment Code — a point-based scoresheet — to calculate the lowest permissible prison sentence in every felony case.
Points are added for the primary offense, any additional offenses, your prior record, victim injury, and other factors. If the total points exceed a statutory threshold, prison becomes mandatory unless the judge finds a legal basis to depart downward.
A major part of our work is fighting the scoresheet: challenging or reducing charges that inflate the points, contesting victim-injury points that were not proven, and building the factual and legal basis for a downward departure — a legally recognized reason to sentence below the minimum. In Orange County, we use every available tool to lower your exposure before sentencing is ever on the table.
Building a Felony Defense in Orange County
- Independent investigation—We do not accept the State's version. We locate witnesses, examine forensics, review body-cam and surveillance footage, and reconstruct events.
- Motions practice—Motions to suppress illegally obtained evidence, or to dismiss legally deficient charges, can reshape or end a case before trial.
- Scoresheet and exposure—We attack the Criminal Punishment Code calculation to reduce the mandatory-prison risk.
- Negotiation—Where trial is not the best path, we negotiate for reduced charges, alternative sentencing, or felony pre-trial intervention for eligible non-violent cases.
- Trial—When the State overreaches, we try the case before a Ninth Circuit jury and make it prove every element beyond a reasonable doubt.
Felony Pre-Trial Intervention in the Ninth Circuit
Not every felony has to end in a conviction. For eligible first-time and non-violent defendants, the Ninth Judicial Circuit offers felony pre-trial intervention (PTI) — a supervised program that, on successful completion, results in the charges being dismissed and no felony conviction on your record.
Admission usually requires the consent of the State Attorney's Office and often the victim, and it typically involves supervision, restitution where applicable, community service, and any recommended counseling. Eligibility turns on the charge and your history. We evaluate whether felony PTI or another non-conviction resolution is realistic in your case and advocate hard for it where it protects your future — because avoiding a felony conviction protects far more than your freedom.
The Lasting Consequences of a Florida Felony
- A felony conviction reaches well beyond any prison sentence, which is why these cases are worth fighting even when a plea seems easier:
- Firearm rights—A convicted felon generally cannot lawfully possess a firearm or ammunition under state and federal law.
- Voting and civil rights—A felony conviction affects your right to vote until rights are restored under Florida's process.
- Employment and licensing—Many jobs and professional licenses (nursing, real estate, commercial driving, healthcare) are closed or jeopardized by a felony record.
- Housing and immigration—A felony can bar you from housing programs and carry severe immigration consequences for non-citizens.
- Because so much rides on avoiding the conviction itself, we treat charge reduction and non-conviction outcomes as central goals, not afterthoughts.
Our Downtown Orlando Office
HOV Law is located at 135 W Central Blvd, Suite 1150, Orlando, FL 32801 — downtown, directly across from the Orange County Courthouse where felony cases are tried in the Ninth Circuit. Call (407) 801-0101 for a free, confidential consultation.
Related Practice Areas in Orlando
Felony 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 →
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Orlando Felony Defense FAQs
What makes a charge a felony in Florida?
In Florida, a felony is any crime punishable by more than one year in state prison. Felonies are graded from third-degree up to capital, with penalties rising sharply at each level, and they are prosecuted in the Ninth Circuit's Circuit Court. The classification drives your entire defense.
Can a felony be reduced to a misdemeanor in Orange County?
Sometimes, yes. Depending on the evidence and negotiations with the State Attorney, a felony can be reduced to a misdemeanor or resolved without a conviction through diversion. We pursue every avenue to lower the charge and its consequences.
What is a Criminal Punishment Code scoresheet?
It is the point-based worksheet Florida uses to calculate the lowest permissible prison sentence in a felony case. Points come from the offense, prior record, and victim injury. If the total crosses a threshold, prison is mandatory unless we establish a legal basis for a downward departure — which is a core part of our defense.
Will I definitely go to prison for a felony?
Not necessarily. Many felony cases resolve with probation, diversion, or reduced charges — especially for first-time offenders. The scoresheet matters, and we work to keep your points and your exposure as low as possible, and to establish grounds for a departure where one applies.
What is felony pre-trial intervention (PTI)?
Felony PTI is a supervised program in the Ninth Circuit for eligible first-time, non-violent defendants. On successful completion, the charges are dismissed and no felony conviction appears on your record. Admission usually requires the State Attorney's consent. We advocate for it where it fits your case.
What rights do I lose with a felony conviction?
A felony conviction can cost you the right to vote (until restored), the right to possess firearms, and eligibility for many jobs, professional licenses, and housing programs. Avoiding the conviction itself, where possible, protects far more than just your freedom.
Where are felony cases heard in Orlando?
Felony cases are prosecuted in the Circuit Court of the Ninth Judicial Circuit at the Orange County Courthouse, 425 N Orange Ave in downtown Orlando. Our office is directly across the street.
How long do felony cases take in Orange County?
Felony cases often take several months to over a year, depending on the complexity, the volume of discovery, and the motions involved. We keep you informed at every step and never rush a resolution that is not in your interest.
Why do I need a trial-ready lawyer even if I want to settle?
Ninth Circuit prosecutors offer better resolutions when they know a firm is genuinely prepared to go to trial. Building your case for trial from day one is what gives you leverage in negotiations. Call HOV Law at (407) 801-0101.
How much does an Orlando felony defense lawyer cost?
HOV Law offers a free, confidential consultation and clear, transparent fees for felony defense. The fee reflects the seriousness and complexity of the charge and whether the case resolves pretrial or proceeds to trial. Call (407) 801-0101 to discuss.
Can a felony conviction be sealed or expunged in Florida?
It depends. If adjudication was withheld or the charge was dismissed or resolved through diversion, you may qualify to seal or expunge the record. An actual felony conviction generally cannot be sealed. We can advise whether your situation may qualify.
Facing Felony Charges in
Orlando?
The stakes could not be higher. Contact HOV Law now for a free, confidential consultation with an Orlando felony defense attorney who prepares every case to win at trial. Available 24/7.