Orlando DUI Lawyer Serving Orange County

After a DUI arrest in Orlando or elsewhere in Orange County, you will generally be transported to an Orange County detention facility for booking and processing. Depending on the circumstances, you may be held until you are eligible for release or appear before a judge.

The arrest may begin two separate proceedings: a criminal case in Orange County court and an administrative driver’s license case. These proceedings have different deadlines and can produce separate license consequences.

Most misdemeanor DUI cases arising in Orlando are handled by the County Criminal Division of Florida’s Ninth Judicial Circuit. Felony DUI cases are handled by the Circuit Criminal Division.

Many proceedings take place at:

Orange County Courthouse
425 N. Orange Avenue
Orlando, FL 32801

The assigned court depends on the charges, arrest location and stage of the case. Your citation, release documents or court notice should contain information about your assigned case.

DUI investigations in the Orlando area may be conducted by several agencies, including:

• Orlando Police Department
• Orange County Sheriff’s Office
• Florida Highway Patrol
• Winter Park Police Department
• Apopka Police Department
• Ocoee Police Department
• Winter Garden Police Department
• Maitland Police Department
• University of Central Florida Police Department
• Orlando International Airport law enforcement
• Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Each agency may use different procedures, equipment and evidence-collection practices. An attorney can compare the arrest report with body-camera video, testing records and other available evidence.

Orange County remains a major DUI enforcement area in Central Florida. In 2025, Orange County recorded 1,816 DUI arrests.

Enforcement is particularly visible around Orlando’s entertainment districts, tourism corridors and major highways, including Downtown Orlando, International Drive, the attractions area, Interstate 4, State Road 408 and State Road 417.

An arrest total does not indicate how many people were ultimately convicted. Every DUI charge must still be supported by admissible evidence.

You generally have only 10 days after a Florida DUI arrest to seek formal or informal review of an administrative driver’s license suspension. Depending on your eligibility, you may also have the option to waive review and apply for restricted driving privileges.

The administrative license proceeding is separate from the criminal DUI case. Waiting until your first Orange County court date could cause you to miss this important deadline.

Under Florida Statute §316.193, a first DUI conviction can result in:

• A fine of $500 to $1,000
• Up to six months in jail
• Probation
• Driver’s license revocation
• DUI school and a substance-abuse evaluation
• Community service
• Vehicle impoundment or immobilization
• Court costs and other expenses

Enhanced penalties may apply when the alleged alcohol level was .15 or higher, a passenger under 18 was in the vehicle, the incident involved an accident or the driver has previous DUI convictions.

Depending on the facts, an Orlando DUI charge may be challenged, reduced or dismissed. An arrest does not establish guilt, and the prosecution must prove every required element beyond a reasonable doubt.

Potential issues may include:

• No lawful basis for the traffic stop
• Insufficient evidence of impairment
• Lack of probable cause for the arrest
• Improperly administered field sobriety exercises
• Unreliable breath, blood or urine testing
• Medical conditions that could resemble impairment
• Missing or inconsistent video evidence
• Conflicting statements in the police reports

The available defenses and potential outcomes depend on the specific evidence. No attorney can guarantee that a charge will be reduced or dismissed.

Yes. A reported breath-alcohol level of .08 or higher does not prevent you from challenging the case.

An Orlando DUI attorney can investigate whether the traffic stop and arrest were lawful, whether the breath-test machine was properly inspected, whether the test was administered correctly and whether medical or environmental factors could have affected the result.

The breath result should also be compared with the officer’s observations, video footage and the timing of the alleged driving and chemical test.

An alleged refusal following a lawful DUI arrest can result in an administrative driver’s license suspension. A first refusal generally carries a one-year suspension. A second or subsequent refusal may lead to an 18-month suspension and a separate criminal charge.

Prosecutors may also attempt to introduce evidence of the refusal in the criminal DUI case. However, an attorney can review whether the implied-consent warning was properly given and whether the alleged refusal was clear and legally valid.

Processing following an Orange County DUI arrest may include:

• Booking and fingerprinting
• Photographs and identity verification
• Medical screening
• Documentation of breath, blood or urine testing
• Review of release or bond conditions
• A first appearance before a judge when required

The exact process depends on the charge, prior record, whether an accident occurred and whether law enforcement filed any additional allegations.

Tourists and other out-of-state drivers arrested near Disney World, Universal Orlando, International Drive, Downtown Orlando or Orlando International Airport generally face a criminal case in Orange County even after returning home.

The arrest may also affect driving privileges in the driver’s home state. An Orlando DUI lawyer can explain the local court process, determine which appearances may be required and communicate with you after you leave Florida.

Leaving Florida does not make the criminal charge or administrative license matter disappear.

Florida does not require you to hire a private attorney, but a DUI can create criminal penalties and separate driver’s license consequences.

A lawyer can protect important deadlines, obtain and evaluate evidence, identify possible defenses, communicate with prosecutors and represent you in court. Familiarity with Orange County courts and local law-enforcement procedures may also help when developing the defense.

In addition to DUI charges, our Orlando criminal defense attorneys handle cases involving:

• Driving with a suspended or revoked license
• Reckless driving
• Street racing and highway racing
• Leaving the scene of an accident
• Drug-possession charges
• No valid driver’s license charges

A single traffic stop or crash investigation can result in multiple allegations that must be evaluated together.

The cost depends on factors such as the complexity of the case, prior DUI history, number of charges, chemical-testing issues and whether the case involves an accident or felony allegations.

The Ticket Clinic offers clear pricing and flexible payment options, including installment plans in many cases. Contact our team for a quote based on your particular circumstances.

After an Orlando DUI arrest:

• Keep every document provided by law enforcement and the jail
• Note the arrest date and the 10-day license deadline
• Avoid discussing the case on social media
• Write down what happened while you remember the details
• Preserve receipts, photographs, messages and witness information
• Avoid driving unless you are certain your license or permit is valid
• Speak with an Orlando DUI attorney as soon as possible

Early action may help preserve video, testing records and other evidence that could become important to the defense.