Common Criminal Defense Cases in Orlando
Following behind Miami and Tampa-St. Petersburg, Orlando is the third-largest metro area in Florida. With a population of more than one million, it’s no surprise that metro Orlando sees its share of crime. Thousands of criminal cases are tried each month in The City Beautiful. According to the most recent Statistical Reference report from the Florida Office of the State Courts Administrator, Orlando saw more than 10,219 criminal dispositions in the fiscal year of 2018-2019. Out of those filings, 82.6% resulted in a guilty verdict.
With such a high rate of guilty verdicts, it’s imperative to have an experienced and aggressive criminal defense attorney on your side when facing criminal charges in Orlando. Having experienced legal counsel can drastically reduce both your chances of receiving a guilty verdict and the severity of the punishment. Here are the three most common criminal defense cases in Orlando.
What Are Orlando Crimes Against Property?
Crimes against property are the most common in Orlando, with 4,284 filings documented in the fiscal year 2018-2019 – accounting for 44% of total filings. The following are charges that are considered crimes against property:
- Burglary
- Theft
- Forgery
- Fraud
Any act that destroys someone else’s property is regarded as a crime against property. These can include felony charges as well, like weapon charges and resisting arrest. Whether it’s a misdemeanor or a felony arrest, it can have seriously negative and life-altering effects. Passing a background check and finding a good job becomes extremely difficult with a misdemeanor theft charge.
Employers seek to hire employees they can depend on and trust. If the employer questions the honesty of a potential employee because of a property crime, it’s unlikely a job offer will be extended. A seasoned criminal defense lawyer in Orlando will understand the weight of this charge and can fight for a significantly better outcome than any defendant can litigate on their own.
What are Criminal Drug Offenses in Orlando?
Drug offenses in Orlando make up the second most common criminal defense cases. Following crimes against property, criminal drug filings amounted to 3,244 in the 2018-2019 fiscal years – making up 34% of total criminal filings. Drug offenses include the illegal production and sale of any controlled substance.
This charge is exceedingly grave. Not only can a person be prosecuted for this drug offense in Orlando, but also in federal court. Drug laws are complicated and require expert legal training to fight against charges in this category. A professional criminal defense attorney will often examine whether any search-and-seizure rights were ignored during the state’s investigation. If the defendant’s rights get violated, an attorney can have the evidence produced during the illegal search-and-seizure deemed unlawful.
Florida offers a variety of rehabilitation programs for people who are charged with this crime. The experienced criminal defense attorneys at The Umansky Law Firm often fight for their client’s records to be wiped entirely of any criminal drug charges in exchange for the completion of these rehabilitation programs.
What are Violent Crimes Against Persons in Orlando?
The third-largest category of criminal filings in Orlando is violent crimes against persons, which accounted for 20% of total criminal filings for the fiscal year 2018-2019. The following are charges that are considered violent crimes against persons:
- Assault
- Rape
- Domestic violence
The caveat with violent crimes is that a person doesn’t need to carry out the act to be charged with the crime. A person only needs to have the intention to do so or has threatened to act violently for an arrest warrant to be issued. A judge can rule on a guilty verdict if the defendant has the potential to act out violently, even if the intention wasn’t there. Because a conviction for a violent crime can have lifelong negative impacts on a person’s life, hiring a skilled criminal defense attorney is essential.
Discuss Your Case with Orlando’s Elite Criminal Defense Attorneys
If you’re facing criminal charges, it’s imperative to consult with a qualified criminal defense attorney to fight for your freedom. The Umansky Law Firm is a top-rated criminal defense law firm in Orlando that serves people facing charges for violent crimes, drug offenses, and crimes against property. Many on our team of experienced attorneys are former state prosecutors, and they understand the methods that the state will take when trying to attain a guilty verdict. For a criminal defense that you can trust, call The Umansky Law Firm.
We offer free and confidential consultations. Call anytime to schedule your consultation or complete an online contact form today.
