Criminal Defense Attorney in Seminole County
Legally Reviewed by Simon Wiseman on October 1, 2026
A criminal charge in Seminole County can disrupt your job, your family, and your future almost overnight. Whether the case begins in Sanford, Lake Mary, Oviedo, Winter Springs, or anywhere else in the county, the decisions you make in the first hours can shape what comes next. The right defense starts with someone who knows how the local system works and will listen to your side before anyone else tells the story.
Attorney Simon Wiseman is a former state prosecutor with more than 25 years of trial experience in criminal defense. Wiseman Law is based in Orlando and defends clients in Seminole County courts, and Attorney Wiseman is available 24 hours a day because arrests do not wait for business hours. Browse the full list of areas we serve to see where else the firm practices.
Time-Sensitive After a Seminole County Arrest
A first appearance generally happens within 24 hours of arrest, and what happens there can affect bond and release conditions.
Former state prosecutor. More than 25 years of trial experience. Available 24 hours a day. Free consultation by phone or in person.
Defending Clients Across Seminole County
Seminole County is made up of seven cities, which are Altamonte Springs, Casselberry, Lake Mary, Longwood, Oviedo, Sanford, and Winter Springs. Sanford is the county seat. Arrests in the county can come from the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office or from a city police department, and the case then moves into the county’s criminal courts.
Seminole County is part of Florida’s Eighteenth Judicial Circuit, and criminal cases are prosecuted by the State Attorney’s Office for that circuit. The Sanford Criminal Justice Center at 101 Eslinger Way is one of the court locations in the county, and people arrested by the Sheriff’s Office are typically booked into the John E. Polk Correctional Facility in Sanford. You can find general information about the Eighteenth Judicial Circuit, the State Attorney’s Office, and the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office on their official websites.
What Happens After an Arrest in Seminole County
Knowing the steps can reduce some of the fear. The process generally moves through the stages below, though every case is different.
1. Arrest and Booking
You are taken into custody, photographed, fingerprinted, and held until a first appearance or release.
2. First Appearance and Bond
A judge generally sees you within 24 hours, reviews the charges, and decides on bond and release conditions. Having an attorney early can help.
3. Charging Decision
The State Attorney’s Office decides what charges to file, if any. Early communication with prosecutors can matter at this stage.
4. Arraignment
You are formally told the charges and enter a plea. Your attorney typically handles this stage and begins requesting evidence.
5. Discovery and Motions
Your attorney reviews police reports and video, takes depositions, and files motions that challenge the evidence.
6. Resolution or Trial
The case may be dismissed, resolved through negotiation, or tried before a judge or jury if a fair resolution is not offered.
The first appearance requirement comes from Florida Rule of Criminal Procedure 3.130, which provides that an arrested person must generally be brought before a judge within 24 hours.
Bond and Release Conditions After an Arrest
One of the first questions most families ask is whether a person can be released. At a first appearance, a judge may set a monetary bond, release a person on conditions such as no contact with an alleged victim or limits on travel, or use a combination of both. The seriousness of the charge, the person’s record, and ties to the community can all be part of that decision. Bond is sometimes reviewed or modified after the first appearance, and an attorney can ask the court to revisit it when the facts support a change. Following every release condition exactly matters, because a violation can lead to new problems in an otherwise manageable case.
Types of Criminal Cases We Handle in Seminole County
Wiseman Law defends adults and juveniles against a wide range of charges, from misdemeanors to serious felonies. Attorney Wiseman will work with you to build a strategic defense, negotiate where it makes sense, and defend you in court if a fair deal cannot be reached. These are some of the charges we handle.
- Theft crimes
- Drug crimes
- DUI
- Sex crimes
- Juvenile crimes
- Assault and battery
- Traffic violations
- Domestic violence
- Murder and manslaughter
- Stalking and harassment
- Illegal search and seizure
- Weapons charges
The consequences of a conviction in many of these cases can be life-altering, which is why Attorney Wiseman treats every case with the same level of preparation, whether it begins as a misdemeanor or a serious felony.
Felony and Misdemeanor Penalties in Florida
Understanding how Florida classifies a charge helps you understand what is at stake. The table below shows the maximum penalties set by Section 775.082 and Section 775.083 of the Florida Statutes. Specific offenses can carry additional penalties, and sentencing involves many other factors.
| Classification | Maximum Incarceration | Maximum Fine |
|---|---|---|
| Second-degree misdemeanor | 60 days in jail | $500 |
| First-degree misdemeanor | 1 year in jail | $1,000 |
| Third-degree felony | 5 years in prison | $5,000 |
| Second-degree felony | 15 years in prison | $10,000 |
| First-degree felony | 30 years in prison, or up to life when a statute specifically provides | $10,000 |
| Life felony | Life in prison or a term of years up to life | $15,000 |
How Attorney Wiseman Approaches Criminal Cases in Seminole County
As a former prosecutor, Attorney Wiseman understands how the State of Florida evaluates a case, which evidence tends to hold up, and where a case is most likely to have problems. He uses that insight to look for the strongest path for each client, whether that means challenging evidence, negotiating from a position of strength, or preparing for trial.
His work starts early. In some situations, such as when a person is under investigation but has not yet been charged, communication with prosecutors may help shape the decision to file charges. After charges are filed, he reviews the police reports, video, and witness statements, takes depositions where appropriate, and looks closely at how the evidence was gathered. You may also want to read more about the criminal defense services the firm offers across Central Florida.
Goals We Pursue for Seminole County Clients
Every case is different, and no attorney can promise an outcome. These are the goals Attorney Wiseman may pursue depending on the facts.
Dismissal
Seeking to have charges dropped when the evidence does not support them.
Excluding Evidence
Challenging evidence gathered through an unlawful stop, search, or interrogation.
Pretrial Diversion
Exploring diversion programs for eligible clients as an alternative to a conviction.
Reduced Charges
Negotiating for lesser charges that carry lower penalties and fewer long-term effects.
Fair Sentencing
Presenting mitigating factors so a court can consider the whole person.
Record Relief
Reviewing whether a record may be eligible for expungement or sealing.
Charged with a crime in Seminole County?
Speak with Attorney Wiseman before you talk to police or prosecutors. Consultations are available by phone and in person.
What to Do If You Are Arrested or Under Investigation
What you do and do not do in the first hours can matter. The two columns below summarize practical steps.
Do
✓ Stay calm and be polite with officers.
✓ Ask for an attorney before answering questions.
✓ Write down what happened as soon as you can.
✓ Call Wiseman Law as early as possible.
Do Not
✕ Explain your side to police without counsel.
✕ Consent to a search of your phone, car, or home.
✕ Post about the case on social media.
✕ Contact the accuser or witnesses yourself.
Frequently Asked Questions About Criminal Defense in Seminole County
Discuss Your Seminole County Case With Attorney Wiseman
We know how stressful it can be to face a criminal charge. Some people feel resigned to the outcome, but now is not the time to give up on your future. With a defense attorney who has seen these cases from both sides, you can make informed decisions about your case.
Call 407-420-4647 to set up a free initial case evaluation. Consultations are offered over the phone and in person, and Attorney Wiseman is available 24 hours a day.
Your future is worth defending.