| CRIMINAL DEFENSE LAWYERS ORLANDO, FLORIDA |
CRIMINAL DEFENSE
Private Counsel LLC lawyers practice criminal defense,
and have experience representing clients charged with
criminal offenses. We handle:
Private Counsel LLC lawyers practice criminal defense,
and have experience representing clients charged with
criminal offenses. We handle:
- APPEALS: Criminal appeal and post conviction
relief in state and federal courts.
- BOND HEARINGS.
- DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
- DUI
- EXTRADITION
- GENERAL CRIMINAL DEFENSE
- JUVENILE CHARGES.
- MISDEMEANOR & FELONY: criminal charges in
state and federal court.
- SEALING & EXPUNGEMENT of criminal history
records.
- VIOLATIONS OF PROBATION AND COMMUNITY
CONTROL.
- DRUG CHARGES: We defend clients charged with all
drug and controlled substance charges including
trafficking, sale, distribution, possession, delivery,
importation, smuggling, etc.
- CRIMINAL TRAFFIC OFFENSES : DUI defense,
leaving the scene of an accident (LSOA), driving
while license suspended (DWLS), reckless driving
(RD), racing, and habitual traffic offender (HTO), and
representation at Department of Motor Vehicles
driver’s license suspension hearing.
- TRAFFIC TICKETS/CITATIONS.
The hiring of an attorney is an important decision that should not be based solely on advertisements.
Before you decide, ask us to send you free written information concerning our qualifications and
experience.
Private Counsel LLC is a private law firm located in Orlando, Florida, practicing criminal defense, DUI defense, juvenile
defense, traffic charges, traffic tickets, drug charges, domestic violence, violations of probation (VOP) and community
control, sealing and expungement of criminal charges and criminal history. Cases primarily in Orange County, Seminole
County, and Osceola County, Florida.
This website and information contained herein is not legal advice and not intended to be taken as legal advice. Please
contact Private Counsel, LLC or another Florida attorney for individual advice regarding your own situation.
Copyright © 2007 by PRIVATE COUNSEL, LLC. All rights reserved.
Before you decide, ask us to send you free written information concerning our qualifications and
experience.
Private Counsel LLC is a private law firm located in Orlando, Florida, practicing criminal defense, DUI defense, juvenile
defense, traffic charges, traffic tickets, drug charges, domestic violence, violations of probation (VOP) and community
control, sealing and expungement of criminal charges and criminal history. Cases primarily in Orange County, Seminole
County, and Osceola County, Florida.
This website and information contained herein is not legal advice and not intended to be taken as legal advice. Please
contact Private Counsel, LLC or another Florida attorney for individual advice regarding your own situation.
Copyright © 2007 by PRIVATE COUNSEL, LLC. All rights reserved.
| Our lawyers offer free consultations. We are available for after-hours consultations and in-jail visits. Located in downtown Orlando. Free parking. |
BELOW IS SOME INFORMATION YOU MIGHT FIND HELPFUL IF
YOU OR A LOVED ONE HAS BEEN CHARGED WITH A CRIME:
What is the difference between a misdemeanor and a felony?
A misdemeanor is a crime which is punishable by
imprisonment of no more than a year. There are two degrees of
misdemeanors:
A felony is a crime punishable by imprisonment in a state
penitentiary for more than one year or more than 1 year
probation.
STEPS IN A CRIMINAL CASE:
First Appearance
After a person is arrested, if they have not bonded out of jail
within 24 hours, they will appear before a judge for a first
appearance. The judge will set a bond amount (or, in very
serious cases, order that a person be held without bond) and
determine if they qualify for representation by the Public
Defender.
The case will also be scheduled for an arraignment before a
county judge on misdemeanor and criminal traffic cases or
before a circuit judge for felony cases.
Arraignment
An arraignment is a hearing where a defendant is advised of the
charges filed against him/her and allowed to enter a plea. If they
enter a plea of guilty or no contest they will be sentenced at that
time. If they plea not guilty the case will be set for a Pre-Trial
Conference.
Pre-Trial Conference
The Pre-Trial Conference is a status conference which is
attended by the defense attorney, prosecutor, and judge. The
parties will discuss the status of the case, the plea offer, and
address any issues regarding the case. The case will usually
be continued to another Pre-Trial Conference or scheduled for
trial.
Trial
If the Defendant does not enter a plea, then the case will be tried
before a jury of 6 members of the community. The prosecution
will present any witnesses and evidence it has, and the defense
has the opportunity to cross-examine the witnesses and
challenge the evidence. The defense also can present any
evidence and witnesses on the defendant's behalf. The
defendant may choose to testify, but he does not have to testify,
and neither the prosecution nor the judge can comment on the
right to remain silent or hold it against the defendant if he does
not testify; the jury will also be instructed not to consider the
defendant's right to remain silent when it deliberates.
All courtrooms are open to the public except for rare
circumstances.
Once all the evidence is concluded, the jury will decide whether
to find the defendant guilty or not guilty. The jury will be
instructed on the law and what it may and may not consider in
conducting its deliberations. If the defendant is found not guilty,
the charges are dismissed, he is free to go, and the State can
never again bring those charges or use the same evidence
against him. If he is found guilty, the judge will sentence the
defendant.
Sentencing
If the defendant is found guilty of a crime, the judge will impose
sentence. The sentence can include jail/prison time (up to the
maximum for that charge), probation, fines, suspension of the
defendant's driving privilege, classes (such as anger
management), restitution (payment to the victim), community
service, drug/alcohol treatment, no return to the crime scene, no
contact with the victim, and other penalties allowed by law. The
judge's sentence will depend on the severity of the charge, the
defendant's criminal history, and the circumstance of the
individual case.
Failure to Appear
Any Defendant who fails to appear as required by the Court may
have his or her bail revoked and a warrant (also called a
"Capias") issued for his/her arrest. He or she can also be
charged with a new, separate crime of failing to appear.
Therefore, it is important to keep your court dates and keep in
contact with your lawyer.
YOU OR A LOVED ONE HAS BEEN CHARGED WITH A CRIME:
What is the difference between a misdemeanor and a felony?
A misdemeanor is a crime which is punishable by
imprisonment of no more than a year. There are two degrees of
misdemeanors:
- A First Degree Misdemeanor is punishable by up to one
year in the county jail or one year probation, plus a fine up
to $1,000. - A Second Degree Misdemeanor is punishable by up to
60 days in the county jail or 6 months probation, plus a
fine up to $500.
A felony is a crime punishable by imprisonment in a state
penitentiary for more than one year or more than 1 year
probation.
STEPS IN A CRIMINAL CASE:
First Appearance
After a person is arrested, if they have not bonded out of jail
within 24 hours, they will appear before a judge for a first
appearance. The judge will set a bond amount (or, in very
serious cases, order that a person be held without bond) and
determine if they qualify for representation by the Public
Defender.
The case will also be scheduled for an arraignment before a
county judge on misdemeanor and criminal traffic cases or
before a circuit judge for felony cases.
Arraignment
An arraignment is a hearing where a defendant is advised of the
charges filed against him/her and allowed to enter a plea. If they
enter a plea of guilty or no contest they will be sentenced at that
time. If they plea not guilty the case will be set for a Pre-Trial
Conference.
Pre-Trial Conference
The Pre-Trial Conference is a status conference which is
attended by the defense attorney, prosecutor, and judge. The
parties will discuss the status of the case, the plea offer, and
address any issues regarding the case. The case will usually
be continued to another Pre-Trial Conference or scheduled for
trial.
Trial
If the Defendant does not enter a plea, then the case will be tried
before a jury of 6 members of the community. The prosecution
will present any witnesses and evidence it has, and the defense
has the opportunity to cross-examine the witnesses and
challenge the evidence. The defense also can present any
evidence and witnesses on the defendant's behalf. The
defendant may choose to testify, but he does not have to testify,
and neither the prosecution nor the judge can comment on the
right to remain silent or hold it against the defendant if he does
not testify; the jury will also be instructed not to consider the
defendant's right to remain silent when it deliberates.
All courtrooms are open to the public except for rare
circumstances.
Once all the evidence is concluded, the jury will decide whether
to find the defendant guilty or not guilty. The jury will be
instructed on the law and what it may and may not consider in
conducting its deliberations. If the defendant is found not guilty,
the charges are dismissed, he is free to go, and the State can
never again bring those charges or use the same evidence
against him. If he is found guilty, the judge will sentence the
defendant.
Sentencing
If the defendant is found guilty of a crime, the judge will impose
sentence. The sentence can include jail/prison time (up to the
maximum for that charge), probation, fines, suspension of the
defendant's driving privilege, classes (such as anger
management), restitution (payment to the victim), community
service, drug/alcohol treatment, no return to the crime scene, no
contact with the victim, and other penalties allowed by law. The
judge's sentence will depend on the severity of the charge, the
defendant's criminal history, and the circumstance of the
individual case.
Failure to Appear
Any Defendant who fails to appear as required by the Court may
have his or her bail revoked and a warrant (also called a
"Capias") issued for his/her arrest. He or she can also be
charged with a new, separate crime of failing to appear.
Therefore, it is important to keep your court dates and keep in
contact with your lawyer.
| PRIVATE COUNSEL, LLC ♦ DEFENSE ATTORNEYS 733 WEST COLONIAL DRIVE, ORLANDO, FLORIDA 32804 (407) 849-2949 |
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