One of the first questions many people ask after an arrest is:

"Can my charges be dropped before my first court date?"

The answer is yes—sometimes they can.

Many people assume that once they have been arrested, a conviction is inevitable. Fortunately, that is not how Florida's criminal justice system works. In some cases, prosecutors decide not to file charges at all, while in others, charges may be dismissed before the first scheduled court appearance because of insufficient evidence, legal issues, witness problems, or information presented by the defense.

If you have been arrested in Gainesville, Alachua County, or elsewhere in North Florida, understanding how criminal charges are reviewed—and how an experienced criminal defense attorney may influence that process—can be critical.

If you or a loved one has recently been arrested in Gainesville or anywhere in Alachua County, one of the first questions is, "When will I see a judge?" In most cases, that hearing is called First Appearance, and it plays an important role in determining whether you will remain in custody or be released while your criminal case is pending.

Being arrested is one of the most stressful experiences a person can face. Whether you were arrested by the Gainesville Police Department, the Alachua County Sheriff's Office, the University of Florida Police Department, or another law enforcement agency, you probably have questions about what happens next.

Understanding the criminal justice process can help reduce uncertainty and allow you to make informed decisions that protect your future.

At Landsman Law, we represent clients charged with misdemeanor and felony offenses throughout Alachua County and North Florida. This guide explains what typically happens after an arrest and what you can expect at each stage of your case.

Florida has long held that carrying a concealed firearm is a felony offense, at least until 2023. Even after the law changed in 2023, those under 21 were still not permitted to carry a concealed firearm because they were excluded by statute. A significant new Florida appellate decision could dramatically affect firearm prosecutions involving young adults across Florida. In a sweeping constitutional ruling, Florida's Fourth District Court of Appeal held that the state's prohibition on concealed carry by law-abiding adults ages 18 to 20 violates the Second Amendment and is therefore unconstitutional. See Eubanks v State No. 4D2025-1698.

The court vacated a conviction for carrying a concealed firearm and concluded that Florida's statutory scheme unlawfully burdens the constitutional rights of adults who are old enough to vote, join the military, and otherwise participate fully in society.

Being arrested can be overwhelming for anyone, but for a University of Florida student, the consequences often extend far beyond the criminal courtroom. A criminal charge may affect your education, housing, scholarships, student organizations, future employment opportunities, graduate school admissions, and professional licensing.

Many students and parents assume that a first-time offense will simply "go away" or that the University of Florida will not become involved. Unfortunately, that is not always the case. Even relatively minor criminal charges can trigger separate disciplinary proceedings through the University.

If you or your child has been arrested in Gainesville or anywhere in North Florida, understanding what happens next is critical.

A recent Florida appellate decision serves as an important reminder that seemingly minor vehicle equipment violations can provide law enforcement with a lawful basis to stop a vehicle—and that stop can quickly escalate into a serious criminal investigation. And remember - don't put any blue lights on your vehicle no matter what.

In Cadet v. State, Florida's Second District Court of Appeal affirmed the denial of a motion to suppress after police stopped a vehicle because the driver displayed an illuminated blue Uber sign on the dashboard. The stop ultimately led to the discovery of fentanyl and cocaine and resulted in convictions carrying an eight-year prison sentence.

For drivers who work in rideshare services such as Uber or Lyft, the case highlights an often-overlooked provision of Florida traffic law: blue lights are generally reserved for law enforcement vehicles.

In criminal trials, jurors—not police officers, forensic interviewers, prosecutors, or government witnesses—decide who is telling the truth. That principle is fundamental to Florida criminal law. But in a recent appellate decision, a Florida court reversed a conviction after prosecutors repeatedly introduced testimony and argument improperly endorsing the credibility of the alleged child victim.

The opinion serves as an important reminder that prosecutors and law enforcement cannot personally vouch for the truthfulness of a witness or place the “prestige of the government” behind testimony. This issue is especially significant in child molestation and sex offense prosecutions, where cases often turn almost entirely on witness credibility rather than physical evidence.

One of the most important principles in Florida criminal law is also one of the most overlooked: the State must prove the identity of the accused beyond a reasonable doubt.

A recent Florida appellate decision re-stated a principle which is assumed in every case but infrequently discussed. Suspicion, assumptions, or a victim’s “hunch” cannot legally replace actual proof of identification. In the case, Florida’s Fourth District Court of Appeal reversed multiple convictions after finding the evidence failed to sufficiently establish who committed the alleged crimes. For the full case see Baker v State 4th DCA.

For anyone accused of a crime in Florida, this issue can become critically important in cases involving surveillance footage, nighttime observations, masked suspects, unclear video, or circumstantial evidence.

The right to a public trial is one of the most fundamental protections in the American justice system. It’s designed to ensure fairness, transparency, and accountability. But what happens when that right collides with another powerful interest—like protecting a child victim from trauma?

A recent Florida appellate decision answers that question clearly: the right to a public trial is not absolute. In certain circumstances, courts can limit who is allowed in the courtroom—and still comply with the Constitution. For the full case see Cordon v State 3rd DCA.

When everything is on the line, the smallest words can carry the biggest consequences. In Florida criminal cases, we often see defendants who thought they were protecting themselves—only to learn later that what they said wasn’t legally enough. This case is a perfect example. A man sits in an interrogation room, admits involvement in a shooting, and says he “needs advice.” Most people would assume that’s a clear signal to stop questioning. Under Florida law, it isn’t. And that misunderstanding can turn a conversation into powerful evidence for the State. Here’s what this case teaches—and why knowing exactly how to invoke your rights matters more than you think.

When you look closely at the details of the Tiger Woods DUI arrest, what you actually see is not a simple or automatic case, but a series of legal steps that must each be proven by the State. From the initial crash investigation all the way through chemical testing, every part of the process raises important legal questions that apply to everyday drivers here in Florida.

At Landsman Law, we regularly challenge traffic stops that lead to criminal charges. A recent Florida appellate decision highlights a critical reality for drivers: even a brief “rolling stop”—often called a “Jersey stop” or “California stop”—can justify a traffic stop, and once that stop is deemed lawful, it can open the door to searches, statements, and ultimately convictions.