Orlando Criminal Defense Attorneys

Criminal Defense & DUI Lawyer Serving all of Orange, Brevard, Lake, Osceola, Seminole and Volusia Counties

When faced with serious criminal charges, you need serious defense representation. A criminal arrest is no laughing matter. If you are ultimately found guilty of the charges, you could face imprisonment, large fines, probation, and the loss of certain rights. In addition, your personal life and reputation are also likely to suffer as well. Depending on your charges, you may experience difficulty finding a job, taking advantage of certain financial opportunities, and may even face discrimination or alienation from your friends, family, and neighbors. From a first-time DUI to a serious sex crime, criminal charges or even an investigation or arrest may have a profound impact on various aspects of your life. It is important to act quickly to limit these negative repercussions.

Do not let your charges spiral out of control and into a conviction that may ruin your life. An experienced Orlando criminal defense lawyer at our firm can uphold your rights and aggressively defend you against your charges. With many years of experience in criminal defense, we feel we are more than qualified to handle even the most complex and challenging felony and misdemeanor cases. As former prosecutors, we are familiar with how the prosecuting attorneys will likely prepare their case, and therefore know which defense strategies would be most effective in fighting your charges. Should you retain our services, you can trust that we will be by your side every step of the way, aggressively defending you against the prosecution’s accusations and protecting your best interests. Our criminal defense counsel is targeted to suit the specific circumstances of each client's case, needs and concerns.

Hiring an Orlando Criminal Defense Lawyer

Having a criminal attorney from our Orlando law firm at your side can truly mean the difference between a successful resolution of your case and the negative ramifications of a conviction. It is, therefore, not a decision that you can treat lightly or one that you should ignore in the hopes that it will simply resolve itself with time. It is, instead, something that you should look at and consider with comprehensive, thorough care.

It is unfortunate, but many people believe falsely that all lawyers are created equally. This myth has been perpetuated over the years, fueled by the negative public image and stigma surrounding litigators. It is important, however, to realize that not all lawyers are created equally - in fact, there are many different factors and qualities that separate the crowd from the cream of the crop.

At our firm, we understand the confusion and difficulty that accompanies the decision to hire an attorney; we are also fully aware of the importance of the decision. We understand that choosing a criminal attorney can be daunting, particularly with the number of law firms in the Orlando area. You may wish to review the firm's accomplishments and case results and may also wish to review the background and experience of the lawyer you will be working with. Your personal feeling about the attorney is also important.

As this is a complex legal matter and you will be working closely with your lawyer, we believe it is important that you feel comfortable with your choice. Because our firm offers a free consultation, this gives you the chance to discuss your case with a legal professional who can give you insight into the matter. It also enables you to learn more about our particular firm so you can determine whether you would like to utilize our criminal defense services.

Arrested or facing criminal charges? When to contact a lawyer.

When should you hire a lawyer? We recommend at least talking to a legal professional as soon as possible. We cannot stress enough the importance of immediately discussing your case and concerns with a lawyer. Even if formal charges have not been filed against you at this time, you may be in danger of facing criminal charges in the near future, and an attorney can begin working to protect your legal rights at any stage of your case. In fact, with criminal defense counsel early on you may be able to avoid formal charges altogether. This applies even in cases where you have been contacted for "questioning" by law enforcement, if you have already been arrested or if you believe you are the subject of a criminal investigation.

An Orlando criminal lawyer can review the matter and determine how to approach your case to help you avoid any negative consequences. These preventative measures are just as important as the aggressive defense representation an attorney provides during a criminal trial and in fact may prove more valuable if they allow a defendant to avoid criminal court proceedings in the first place. Our team places a great deal of importance on the value of pre-file investigation services. If you live, work or were arrested in the Orlando area and are weighing your legal options, talk them over with an experienced attorney who will take the time to fully address your concerns, answer your questions and guide you toward the decision or decisions that are truly best for your unique case. The earlier you get in touch with a legal professional, the sooner he or she can begin working on your behalf to help you avoid charges, an arrest or a conviction.

Our Practice Areas

We handle all types of criminal cases throughout Orlando and the surrounding areas for those who have been arrested for the first time and for defendants who already have criminal records. DUI is a main focus of the firm, and we handle all aspects of clients' cases in this regard, including their DHSMV hearings and all types of drunk driving-related offenses, including underage DUI, felony DUI, multiple DUI and drug DUI. We do not shy away from sex offense cases of any kind, choosing to fight for our clients in the face of whatever offense they may have been accused of rape, child molestation, child pornography, prostitution, indecent exposure, child abuse, sexual assault and more.

DUI Defense
Challenging DUI (driving under the influence) charges requires the attention of an attorney who understands the particular issues that affect these cases: breath/blood testing, DUI arrests, field sobriety tests, the different effects alcohol has on various people's systems, what constitutes probable cause for a DUI stop, and so much more. These cases can come down to the smallest details, such as a breath test that was administered shortly after the defendant vomited, chewed gum or smoked a cigarette. A careful approach is therefore taken in all drunk driving cases we handle for clients in and around Orlando. We are strategic in our defense of DUI charges, taking care to thoroughly investigate all aspects of the case and the evidence against our clients in order to build a more effective plan of action to weaken the prosecuting attorney's case. Click here to read more about DUI.

Our criminal defense team can also handle a wide array of cases related to theft crimes, drug crimes (including possession with intent to sell and those relating to prescription drugs) and violent crimes, such as kidnapping, burglary, assault and battery, aggravated assault, aggravated battery, hit and run, carjacking, robbery, domestic violence, weapon and firearm offenses and murder and manslaughter. With our extensive experience and resources, we can additionally take on criminal investigations and charges involving white collar crimes (such as fraud, forgery, identity theft and charges relating to RICO), juvenile crimes, military crimes, internet crimes and federal crimes. If you have already been convicted, we also offer legal representation in seeking expungement to clear your criminal record.

In any of these legal matters, a defendant may be at risk of facing serious criminal penalties. We understand that much is on the line, and this is why we are committed to providing personalized service and aggressive legal counsel to each and every one of our clients. When an Orlando criminal attorney at our law offices helps with your case, you will experience the difference of knowledgeable and dedicated counsel. For example, we will conduct a thorough investigation into every aspect of your charges. We may uncover information that indicates that you may have been the victim of an unreasonable search and seizure, and your attorney may be able to use this to have key evidence suppressed from your trial so it cannot be used as direct evidence against you. Although this is just an example, this single action may mean that the entire case will turn around in your favor.

Contact our Law Firm for a Free Consultation

We know things may seem daunting right now. You’re probably very concerned about your future, and have a million questions running through your mind. Will I go to jail? What will my friends and family think? Will I get fired from my job? What’s going to happen to my future? How I am going to afford bail? An Orlando criminal defense lawyer at Katz & Phillips, P.A. can answer all of your questions and make sure you are provided with ample resources and guidance throughout the criminal process. While dealing with the ramifications of a criminal charge can be difficult, but if it is difficult now, imagine how difficult it will if you end up being if you are successfully convicted. Due to the ramifications of criminal convictions, it is imperative that you do everything possible to be proactive and aggressive in defense.

Your entire future will be on the line, and you need to be confident that you are doing everything that you can to protect yourself from conviction. At a time such as this, having an experienced lawyer on your side that you can trust can be an invaluable resource. We understand you have a lot stake, and are prepared to do whatever is necessary to ensure you have the strongest, most compelling defense case possible. When your rights and future are on the line, nothing but the very best criminal defense representation will do, and that’s what we intend to provide at our firm! From first time DUI charges to serious white collar crimes or even murder, a criminal attorney at our law offices can determine how to properly represent your constitutional rights to the fullest extent of the law. Our goal is to minimize any negative consequences of a criminal investigation, arrest or charges.

If you or someone you love has been arrested on criminal charges in or around Orlando, please feel free to contact an Orlando criminal defense attorney to learn more about our services.

We are also proud to serve the residents of Orange County, Seminole County (including Altamonte Springs, Longwood, and Sanford), Lake County (including residents of Tavares), and Osceola County (including Kissimmee).