Can You Always Get a Plea Deal in Orlando?

By: John Guidry

“What can you get me on this case?”

I hear that question almost every day. It’s a standard question, usually asked before I’ve even seen the police report. It’s as if the client is ordering off a menu at a drive-thru, expecting that a “deal” is just sitting there waiting to be picked up.

But here is the scary truth that most folks don’t realize: It is not always legal to obtain a plea bargain.

We assume that every case ends in a handshake deal, but that isn’t true. In some courtrooms, if you miss your window, the offer vanishes. In other places, plea bargaining has been banned entirely.

Facing charges and hoping for a deal? Don’t assume the State will keep the offer on the table forever. Call John today at (407) 423-1117 to secure your defense before the deadline passes.

The Legal Breakdown: When the “Deal” Disappears

While plea bargaining is the grease that keeps the wheels of justice turning in Orange, Seminole, and Osceola County, there are strict limits.

• The “Docket Sounding” Deadline: In many local courtrooms, judges have a hard rule: “There will be no plea agreements after Docket Sounding.” This is the final hearing before trial. If you haven’t taken the deal by then, the judge may force you to plea “blind to the bench.”
• Pleading “Blind”: This is a terrifying prospect. It means you are pleading guilty with zero guarantee of what your sentence will be. You are throwing yourself on the mercy of the court, and believe me, mercy can be in short supply on trial day.
• The “No Deal” Jurisdictions: Believe it or not, some places have outlawed plea bargaining entirely. Alaska, New Orleans, and parts of California have tried banning it. Writer Robert Bidinotto, in his book Subverting Justice, argues that banning pleas forces police to do better investigations and judges to actually work.
• The “Snitch” Factor: In co-defendant cases, the “deal” often comes at a high price: the truth. I’ve seen guilty defendants flip on innocent co-defendants just to secure a lighter sentence. It’s sad but true—the person willing to lie often gets the better deal.

John’s Takeaways

If you are navigating the system, you need to understand the reality of plea negotiations:

• Deals Have Expiration Dates: If your lawyer tells you the offer expires at “Docket Sounding,” believe them. Judges in Orlando are serious about moving their calendars.
• Innocence Can Be Dangerous: The hardest part of my job is seeing innocent clients take a deal out of fear. They are terrified of risking a life sentence at trial, so they plead to a lesser charge. It’s a heartbreaking flaw in our system.
• The System Needs Pleas: If every citizen demanded a jury trial, the court system in Florida would grind to a halt tomorrow. There aren’t enough judges or courtrooms. Use this leverage to your advantage.
• Don’t Wait Until the Last Minute: The best deals are negotiated early, when the prosecutor realizes their case has holes. Waiting until the morning of trial often leads to “blind” pleas and bad outcomes.

Don’t Gamble With Your Future

Plea bargains are a necessary evil, but they are not guaranteed. You need a defense attorney who knows the specific deadlines of your judge and how to push the prosecutor for a resolution before the window closes.

If you are facing charges in Orange, Seminole, Osceola, Lake, Brevard, or Volusia County, give me a call.

Call me at (407) 423-1117. Let’s make a plan.

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.