FAQs About Our Legal Services
Whether they realize it or not, everyone would benefit from the assistance of a lawyer at some point in their lives. When starting a business, charged with a crime, considering adoption, or looking for help avoiding an expulsion, our lawyers can assist.
Your specific situation will determine the type of lawyer you need. Share your situation with our attorneys, and we will discuss with you the potential issues and if we are the best option for you. If it is a criminal, family, or academic matter, we are happy to help. For other types of law, we have great relationships with numerous attorneys and are happy to send you over to someone who will give your case the time, effort, and attention it deserves.
Every case deserves attention and examination. During all of our initial consultations, before a contract is signed, we go over the pros and cons of your case with you in detail and discuss the potential outcomes.
If we decide that hiring Jordan Law is the best option for dealing with your legal matter, we will then discuss how to proceed. From there we will update you on the status of your case as the evidence, motions, and depositions occur.
When you meet with one of our attorneys we will need as much information as you can provide to help us address your situation. Please make sure you have any and all of the following:
- Names/Phone Number/Address of witnesses
- Any video/evidence you have
- Court documents, including any citations, tickets, notices, etc.
- Payment information or the contact information of any friends or family members who will be paying
We get this question all the time. We will do everything in our power to help you in your time of need. However, sometimes the answer is that we cannot.
We can promise to do everything we ethically can to help get your case resolved in the best manner possible for you. Regardless of your situation, it is better to have us fighting for you than to try to go it alone.
FAQs About Our Office & Services
Our physical office is open from 8:30 to 5:00. However, because most of our clients have jobs and other obligations, our phone number (407) 906-JLAW (5529) is available 24/7. On a case-by-case basis, we may be able to set office conferences outside of normal office hours.
You can find our office in Orlando on the east side of Delaney Ave in the Hovey Court complex directly across from Lake Lucerne. We are in the second building on the right and the address is
545 Delaney Ave.
Building 3
Orlando, FL 32801
The lawyers of Jordan Law handle multiple law types in Florida. If you have a criminal matter that you need assistance with, we are here to help you. If you are dealing with an issue that requires the assistance of a family law expert we can handle it.
Our attorneys also specialize in dealing with academic hearing matters for all the public and private academic institutions in Central Florida. We specialize in addressing issues for UCF students including Title IX and code of conduct violations.
If you are starting a business, looking to engage in (or end) a partnership agreement, or are dealing with complex commercial litigation, our attorneys can assist you.
On a case-by-case basis, we can assist with some other legal matters. If we are unable to provide the services you’re looking for we can put you in contact with a fantastic attorney who can help. We have built a referral network across the state of amazing attorneys ready to assist you.
Our attorneys are available to assist with your legal matter anywhere across the Central Florida corridor. From Jacksonville to Tampa, Ocala to Yeehaw Junction, we’re here to assist.
Even if you live outside these areas, if you are dealing with a legal matter that takes place across the state of Florida, we can assist. Regardless of your location, Jordan Law can help.
If you need legal assistance of any kind, we can help or refer you to an expert attorney in your area. Call us today and we will get you in touch with an attorney that will fight for you.
The costs of representation depend upon the nature of your case. A first-time traffic ticket, for example, will require a lower fee than an attempted murder case. Both require expert representation to get the best possible result.
We will keep our overhead low in order to provide you with top quality legal representation for a price you can manage. So, whether you accidentally ran a red light, or you’re being accused of worse, we will help you at a reasonable price.
For our non-contingency cases, Jordan Law accepts all payment types. Whether you need to pay by cash, check, or card we can do that.
If you aren’t able to come into our offices, we do accept credit card payments over the phone or through emailed invoices.
For cases involving an accident or other injury, we will not charge a fee upfront as our payment comes out of the funds we recover for you.
If you’re unsure what type of case you have, please feel free to contact us with the details of your legal matter. We will be happy to tell you which type of case you have.
We offer payment plans on a limited basis. If you can’t pay us in-full then we will review your situation and let you know if a payment plan is an option. Call us today and we can see what we can do for your situation.
FAQs About Criminal Defense Cases
This is one of the best questions you can ask. Most people have already spoken to the police before they contact us, and there is not much we can do. It’s wise to never speak with a police officer without legal representation.
If the police have contacted you as part of an ongoing investigation, we can help you decide whether talking to them is wise. We can be present with you during questioning and advise you on what questions to answer and ones that would be better left alone.
Often, the police want to speak to you because you are a victim or a witness on a case. In these situations, we can go over a mock interview with you and/or be there when you speak to the police.
This is important for several reasons as well. One is that you want to make sure that there is nothing you will say that will make you a defendant on that or a future case.
We are happy to look into this for you and see if we can find any information. Often, there is no way to know until you are arrested, but if you believe there is a warrant out, you can put us on retainer so we are there at the jail with you for initial appearances and can help in getting you a bond.
If we do find out that there is an open warrant for your arrest, we can advise you on the best way to proceed. It may be that turning yourself in is your best choice. We can negotiate that process for you so that you spend the least amount of time in jail while awaiting trial.
Arrest/Notice to Appear: Your case begins when a police officer believes that you violated the law and places you under arrest or issues you a Notice to Appear in Court. (Sometimes this is called a ticket or citation.)
Filing: Then, for everything except traffic tickets, the State Attorney’s Office will choose to either file or not file charges on the case. If they choose to file, they have the leeway to pick different charges from those the police originally chose.
Arraignment: If the Prosecutor decides to file formal charges against you, an arraignment will be scheduled. During the arraignment, the judge will read your charges, explain the possible penalties, and allow you to enter a plea of guilty or not guilty. If you have hired an attorney, they have the authority to waive your appearance for this hearing.
Motions: If your attorney has filed pre-trial motions, like a Motion to Suppress or Motion to Dismiss, they will be heard before your trial date. During these hearings, the Prosecutor may present witnesses, your attorney will provide case law, and both sides will argue their positions to the judge. Based on the judge’s ruling, your case may end at this hearing. Your appearance may or may not be required, your lawyer will let you know.
Docket Sounding/Pre-Trial: By the time of this hearing, your attorney should have received all of the police reports, statements, evidence lists, and other discovery for your case. You will likely have an offer to plea to lesser charges or a lower sentence at this hearing. If the case is not ready for trial by this hearing, it will likely be continued to a later date so that your attorney has more time to prepare your case. At this hearing, a date for trial will be set. Again, your appearance may or may not be required, the lawyer will let you know.
Trial: On the day of trial, your attorney will select a jury panel, argue against the evidence presented by the state attorney, and make arguments to the jury to persuade them to find you not guilty. Your appearance is mandatory. This is where the status of your case is determined. You will find out whether you are found innocent or guilty.
This entire process can take anywhere from a few days to several years. It all depends on what happened at the onset of your case and on the evidence accrued, witnesses’ statements, and your history in the legal system.
We will do anything within our power to ensure the best outcome for your case. We will fight for your rights and your freedom. We know that the best offense is a good defense.
While the fact that the victim doesn’t want to proceed is something the State should consider, they do not need their say so when deciding to file charges or not. At the end of the day, the State is not bound by the victim’s wishes.
The State Attorney can go forward on any charges, even if the victim wants them dropped. They can also drop charges the victim wants to move forward on. It depends on their opinion on the case and whether they believe they can get a guilty verdict based on the evidence they have.
For cases we are retained on, if the victim does not want to go forward we will get them to sign a declination of prosecution and send that over to the state along with a letter or statement on your behalf to try and get them to drop the charges. While this encourages the State Attorney to drop the charges, it is no guarantee.
Second Degree Misdemeanor
A second-degree misdemeanor is a crime punishable by no more than sixty days in jail, six months of probation, and a $500 fine.
First Degree Misdemeanor
A first-degree misdemeanor is a crime punishable by no more than one year in jail, one-year probation, and a $1,000 fine.
Third Degree Felony
A third-degree felony is punishable by up to five years in prison, five years probation, and a $5,000 fine.
Second Degree Felony
A second-degree felony is punishable by up to fifteen years in prison, fifteen years probation, and a $10,000 fine.
First Degree Felony
A first-degree felony is punishable by up to thirty years in prison, thirty years probation, and a $10,000 fine.
Punishable by Life Felony (PBL)
A punishable life felony is punishable by life in prison without the possibility of parole, or probation for the remainder of your life, and a $15,000 fine.
Life Felony and Capital Felony
A life felony requires the Judge to send you to prison for life if you are convicted and a capital felony is punishable by death or life in prison without the possibility of parole.
All of these things mean that the State has chosen, at least at this time, to no longer prosecute the case and unless they refile, the case is over.
It is important to understand that, while it’s possible, the case may not be over at this point. The State Attorney has the option to refile charges against you, and may or may not do so at their discretion.
This is on a case-by-case, hearing-by-hearing basis. We will keep you updated about your court dates and if you need to be there or not.
Remember, if you DO need to be there, you should be early. If you are late or fail to show up, the Judge can issue a warrant for your arrest.
A plea is when you no longer contest your guilt and let the court sentence you. Your plea can be based upon an agreement with the state, an agreement with the judge, or we can just decide to plea to the judge for a sentence without an agreement already in place.
Typically, when we work with the State Attorney on a plea, it will be to a charge with a lesser degree of severity and a lower sentence or fine than the one you were originally charged with. We will involve you throughout the process and only move forward on agreeing to a plea deal upon your say so.
Both pleas of “no contest” and “guilty” allow the court to punish you for the charges brought against you. A plea of “guilty” means you’re admitting you committed the transgression and are accepting responsibility.
We try to have our clients plea “no contest” if they choose to resolve their case with a plea. In this situation you are not admitting to guilt, just agreeing to be penalized by the court.
A “no contest” plea, unfortunately, is not always an option. They do limit the ability of someone to use the plea against you later at a violation of probation (VOP) or in a civil case.
A “withhold of adjudication” occurs when the court does not adjudicate you for the crime. In other words, they do not find you guilty.
If this happened in your situation, it is not a conviction. You are not a convicted criminal moving forward.
In Florida, there are a lot of negative outcomes to your being convicted of a felony. You lose a number of rights, among them, the rights sit on a jury, and have a gun.
You used to lose your right to vote, but a recent amendment to the state’s constitution overturned this. Now, as long as you have completed your sentence, a convicted felon can regain their voting rights.
The exceptions to this rule are those felons convicted of murder and sex offenses. Florida does not automatically restore the right to vote for felons convicted of these types of criminal activity.
Probation is sentenced if the judge believes that you need supervision, but a prison sentence isn’t warranted. Usually, a sentence of probation is given for lesser offenses or those who have little or no criminal history.
If you are sentenced to probation as a result of a plea or adjudication at trial, you will be supervised by a period of time by a probation officer. During this time, you may be required to complete classes, community service, treatment or other conditions. You will also be subjected to drug testing and must keep appointments with your probation officer.
You may only be facing community control if you are charged with a felony. Community control is, essentially, “house arrest.”
You are not permitted to leave your house for any reason except work, medical appointments, school, necessary errands, or appointments with your community control officer. Officers may check on you at any time to ensure that you are complying, and you may be required to complete some additional conditions.
This means that, without warning, they may show up to your home and require you to submit a urine test, breathalyzer, or just to ensure you are where you’re legally required to be.
Jail is the local county facility where you may be held until your case is over, or if you are sentenced to any time period under a year long. If you are facing a felony, you may be sentenced to prison. If you’ve been sentenced to a term of one year or more it is likely you will be sent to prison.
If you are sentenced to prison, you may be placed in a facility anywhere in the state. Because of overcrowding, new facilities being brought online, old facilities being shut down, or simply space availability; prison sentences can be carried out wherever the state decides. You may also be sentenced to heightened penalties if you are arrested within 3 years of your release from prison.
You will never be “surprised” with jail time. Jail time occurs only if one of the following instances occurs:
Warrant: If there is a warrant for your arrest, you could be arrested at any time, including if you are present in court for a different case
Plea: If you agree to jail time as part of a plea, you will be remanded from the courtroom unless a turn-in date has been previously worked out with the State Attorney and the Judge.
Lose Trial: When you make the decision to go to trial, there is always a risk that you may be found guilty. If you are found guilty, the Judge has the option of sentencing you to a jail term based on the severity of the charge.
Violated a court order/conditions of bond: If you bonded out on a charge and agreed to comply with certain conditions (no contact, urinalysis, curfew), the court can revoke your bond and order you back in jail until your case is resolved. There is usually a hearing prior to your bond being revoked, giving you the time to meet with an attorney and put up a defense.
Commit a new crime: If you are arrested on a new crime, you will not only go to jail for the new crime, but your bond can be revoked on your pending case.
Yes, victims of crimes in Florida have very specific rights. Florida Statute 960.001 outlines the rights that you are entitled to. Additionally, Florida voters recently approved Amendment 6, also known as Marsy’s Law, be added to the state constitution.
If you have been the victim of a crime, the attorneys at Jordan Law can help you. We offer victim representation for deposition prep, review of victim impact statements, assistance in complying with subpoenas and of course, representation at any rule to show cause hearings if you miss a court day.
FAQs About Academic Hearing Cases
In all honesty, the answer is, “Possibly.”
During or after an arrest or open criminal case, the investigating agency may notify your school about your pending criminal matter. The school will almost certainly be notified if you are charged by the campus police, or if you inform the police that you are a student at a local university.
Florida has very strong Sunshine Laws so all criminal charges are public record. Your university may find out at any time about an open criminal case or any charges filed against you.
If your school determines that your pending criminal case is a violation of the school honor code, they will likely send you a notice of the violation and schedule you for a hearing. You will have the opportunity to meet with a violations officer to review the accusations and evidence before the hearing and learn about your options.
Attorneys with Jordan Law are experienced in the academic hearing process and can help prepare you for the hearings, meetings, and potential consequences.
Our attorneys work around the clock to meet the needs of our clients. Whether we are representing them in a criminal, administrative, academic, and other legal areas, we are always available to answer questions, follow-up on ideas, or provide a shoulder to lean upon. Based in Orlando, Florida, Jordan Law serves all areas of Central Florida and beyond.
Our attorneys will work aggressively to identify and resolve issues in your case, file necessary motions, and work towards the best possible results for your case. Call Jordan Law today at (407) 906-JLAW (5529) to speak to an attorney now about your legal needs, because as we all know.