“Yeah, But I Can Save This One”: Why I Fight for the Individual

By: John Guidry

Sometimes, less is more.

It is said that having only a few words on a business card signals that a person is mighty important. For example, the business card of the old Cuban dictator Fidel Castro reportedly just read: “Fidel Castro Ruz. Primer Secretario Del Partido Comunista De Cuba”. That’s it. No phone number. No email. No “Find me on Facebook.”

My card, on the other hand, gives away the fact that I’m not that important. I list twenty ways to contact me. Office number, cell number, email, website—you name it. I’m an attorney, and I’m just not as important as other folks.

But this brief moment of humility reminds me of a story that defines my practice.

Do you feel like just another number in the system?

You need a lawyer who sees you as a person. Call John today at (407) 423-1117.

The Starfish on the Beach

I don’t live near the beach (unless driving an hour from Orlando counts). But every now and then, you see a news report about thousands of sea creatures washing ashore. One day it’s jellyfish. The next, it’s starfish. Thousands of them, as far as the eye can see, and they are all going to die.

The news camera pans over to a cute little girl, maybe 8 years old, scrambling to throw these starfish back into the water. She is determined to save them. One by one. The reporter, amused by the futility of her task, approaches her: “There’s so many starfish out here, surely you can’t save them all?”

The girl pauses, picks up a starfish, throws it into the waves, and responds: “Yeah, but I can save this one.”

The Courtroom Reality

To this day, that little girl inspires me. No, she wasn’t going to save them all. And neither can I. I can’t help everyone who needs help; there just isn’t enough time in the day.

Recently in court, a prosecutor approached me during a break. He teased me that the judge was in a bad mood and that “everyone was going to jail that morning.” He looked around at the dozens of defendants sitting on the wooden benches and boasted: “They’re all going down today.”

My client was sitting on the very back bench. I pointed him out to the prosecutor and stole that little girl’s wisdom: “Yeah, but I can save this one.”

(And no, my client didn’t go to jail that day. Would I tell you this story if he did?)

John’s 2026 Update: Fighting “Assembly Line” Justice

Note: In 2026, the system tries harder than ever to treat you like a number. The “Starfish Defense” is our resistance.

1. The “Zoom” Dehumanization In 2026, many hearings are conducted remotely.

• The Danger: It is very easy for a judge to sentence a pixelated face on a screen to prison. They don’t smell the fear, they don’t see the family in the gallery, and they don’t feel the humanity.
• Our Strategy: Whenever possible, we demand In-Person Hearings. We want the judge to look you in the eye. If we must be on video, we work twice as hard to present “mitigation packages” (letters, photos, job history) to humanize you before the camera turns on.

2. AI Risk Scores Prosecutors now use “recidivism algorithms” (AI) to recommend sentences based on data.

• The Problem: The AI looks at your zip code, your history, and your age, and spits out a “High Risk” label. It ignores your story.
• The Defense: We fight the algorithm. We argue Individualized Sentencing. We remind the court that the computer doesn’t know you—it only knows statistics. We are here to save this person, not a data point.

3. The “Mass Plea” Docket Courts are overcrowded. They rely on mass plea deals to keep the machine running.

• The Trap: They will offer you a “standard deal” just to get the case over with.
• My Promise: I don’t care about their docket clearing rate. I care about your record. If the “standard deal” ruins your life, we reject it and fight for a result that saves you.

You Are Not a Statistic

The system is designed to process cases in bulk. I am designed to stop the machine for one person: You.

Call me at (407) 423-1117. Let’s save “this one.”

About John Guidry II

John Guidry II is a seasoned criminal defense attorney and founder of the Law Firm of John P. Guidry II, P.A., located in downtown Orlando next to the Orange County Courthouse, where he has practiced for over 30 years. With more than three decades of experience defending clients throughout Central Florida since 1993, Guidry has successfully defended thousands of cases in Orange, Seminole, Osceola, Brevard, Lake, and Volusia counties. He has built a reputation for his strategic approach to criminal defense, focusing on pretrial motions and case dismissals rather than jury trials.

Guidry earned both his Juris Doctorate and Master of Business Administration from St. Louis University in 1993. He is a member of the Florida Bar and the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. His practice encompasses the full spectrum of Florida state criminal charges, with a particular emphasis on achieving favorable outcomes through thorough pretrial preparation and motion practice.

Beyond the courtroom, Guidry is a prolific legal educator who has authored over 400 articles on criminal defense topics. He shares his legal expertise through his popular YouTube channel, Instagram, and TikTok accounts, where he has built a substantial following of people eager to learn about the law. His educational content breaks down complex legal concepts into accessible information for the general public.

When not practicing law, Guidry enjoys tennis and pickleball, and loves to travel. Drawing from his background as a former recording studio owner and music video producer in the Orlando area, he brings a creative perspective to his legal practice and continues to apply his passion for video production to his educational content.