Okaloosa County Criminal Defense Attorney

Defending the arrested and accused in Okaloosa County

Okaloosa runs from Destin and Fort Walton Beach up to Crestview, the county seat, and it is also in the First Circuit. Eglin Air Force Base sits inside it, so military consequences come up often alongside the civilian charge.

Okaloosa County cases are heard at the county courthouse in Crestview. The county is part of the First Judicial Circuit of Florida.

Who makes the arrest here

In Okaloosa County that is usually the Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office and the Fort Walton Beach, Destin, Crestview and Niceville police departments. Whichever agency writes the report, the decision to file a charge, reduce it or drop it is made by the State Attorney for the First Circuit.

What we tell people in Okaloosa County

If you are stationed at Eglin or Hurlburt, what happens in the civilian case gets reported on base. That has to be part of the plan from the first day, not the last.

Communities we serve in Okaloosa County

Crestview, Fort Walton Beach, Destin and Niceville.

What to do first

If someone has been arrested in Okaloosa County, first appearance is usually the next morning and bond is set there. Call before that hearing if you can. Exercise your right to remain silent and let an attorney guide you through police questioning - early intervention may result in charges never being filed, or dismissed entirely.