Law Office of Michelle Yard, PLLC

09/29/2026

Fifteen years ago I handled my first juvenile life without parole resentencing, and it is still one of my absolute favorite things I get to do as a lawyer. 🌅 This week, I finished another juvenile sentencing review on a homicide case - and my client was immediately RELEASED and is now home with his family.

There is a special kind of hope in these cases. Florida law recognizes that a child is not the same person at fifteen that they will be at forty — that people can grow, change, and become someone new. Getting to stand beside a person who has done exactly that, and help a court see the whole of who they have become, is a privilege every single time.

If someone you love received a long sentence for something they did as a child, there may be a path you do not know about yet. It is called a juvenile sentence review — and it is worth understanding.

As a lawyer Board Certified in Criminal Trial Law by The Florida Bar, this is some of the most meaningful work I do — and I have handled dozens of juvenile resentencing/review cases. I am always glad to talk it through, just give me a call. 💛

09/07/2026

🌟 Another Oral Argument GRANTED for Michelle Yard, Esq. 🌟

On October 23, I'll argue a homicide appeal before a three-judge panel of the Sixth DCA in Naples — my first argument in Florida's newest appellate court.

Why that matters: the overwhelming majority of appeals are decided on the briefs alone. When a court sets a case for oral argument, it's a signal that the issues are close enough — and consequential enough — that the judges want to press both sides in person, out loud, with follow-up questions.

The case involves self-defense and Florida's Stand Your Ground law. That body of law has shifted meaningfully in recent years — who carries the burden, what immunity actually protects, and how a jury is told to think about a defendant's right to protect himself. Florida's district courts are still working through those questions, and appellate decisions in this area shape what happens in trial courtrooms across the state for long to come.

Twenty minutes a side. No script survives the first question.

One more thing makes this argument special: it's set as a **Law Day** argument. Students will be in the gallery, and at the close of each case they're invited to question the attorneys directly. Explaining to a room of young people why the presumption of innocence and the right to defend yourself matter may be the most important thing I say that morning ⚖🌟

I've argued many times in the Florida's Fifth DCA and the United States Eleventh Circuit. I'm looking forward to arguing this important case in the Sixth DCA.

**Law Office of Michelle Yard, PLLC** — State & Federal: Trials · Appeals · Post-Conviction

08/22/2026

Another five-star review! ⚖🌟⚖

This one came from a mother — not a client, but the person who sat in the gallery, waited for every phone call, and carried the fear that comes with watching your child face serious felony s*xual allegations in the criminal justice system.

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"There were days when I felt overwhelmed with fear and uncertainty, and Michelle never treated us like we were just another case… When my son finally came home, it felt like our family could breathe again."

Criminal defense isn't only about the person charged. It's about the families waiting at home, hoping someone will fight as hard for their loved one as they would themselves.

Thank you for trusting me with your family. It's an honor I don't take lightly. 🤍

📞 If you or someone you love is facing criminal charges, call or text me at (407) 488-6100 for a confidential consultation.

Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

08/16/2026

Some of the best work I do never makes the news — because it ends before anything is ever filed. 🙌

This week, I closed out a federal matter for a client the best possible way: the U.S. Attorney's Office confirmed in writing that no case would be opened and no charges would be filed. No arrest. No indictment. No felony on the record. Just a client who gets to close this chapter and move forward with her life.

Here's what a lot of people don't realize: by the time charges are filed, many of your best options are already behind you. The window that matters most is often before an arrest — while an investigation is still open and decisions are still being made. That's what pre-arrest representation is all about. Getting the right advocate involved early can be the difference between a quiet resolution and a life-altering case.

If you or someone you love has been contacted by investigators, received a target letter, or thinks they may be under investigation — don't wait. The earlier we're in the room, the more we can do.

Grateful to end the week on this note. This is why I love the work I do. 💙

📞 Law Office of Michelle Yard, PLLC — Board Certified Criminal Trial Attorney · Orlando, FL · (407) 488-6100

Every case is different, and past results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

07/26/2026

Another five-star review! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Every so often a client's family puts their gratitude into words that remind me exactly why I do this work. I'm sharing this recent Google review because it captures what I strive for with every family who chooses me to represent them— not just a strong defense, but genuine care during the hardest moment of their lives.

To this family: thank you for trusting me with something so precious. It was my honor to stand in your corner.

If your family is facing a criminal matter in the Central Florida area and you need someone who will treat your crisis like it matters — because it does — I'm here.

📍 Law Office of Michelle Yard, PLLC | Orlando, FL

Every case is different and results may vary. This testimonial reflects one client's experience and is not a guarantee of any outcome.

07/25/2026

07/19/2026

I'm honored to share that I've been named to Doyle's Guide 2026 list of Leading Criminal Defense Lawyers in Orlando — and I'm recognized in the top tier as "Preeminent."
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These rankings come from my peers in the Orlando criminal law community. I'm thankful to be recognized by the people who know this work best!
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See the full list here: https://doylesguide.com/leading-criminal-defense-lawyers-orlando-2026/

Our 2026 rankings of Orlando's best Criminal Defense Lawyers as voted by the city's criminal law community.

06/02/2026

Another Lewd and Lascivous DISMISSAL!! 🌟⚖️

I was retained on a three count Lewd and Lascivious Molestation/Exhibition case with an Information that included allegations on two separate days. I successfully sought and obtained a severance, and then obtained a NOT GUILTY at trial on counts 1 and 2. Today, the State dismissed the last count, count 3 - resulting in the acquittal of my client on all 3 counts!!! ⚖️🌟

The attorney you choose makes a difference. If you find yourself facing terrible allegations, call me at (407) 488-6100.

05/22/2026

HUGE NOT GUILTY x2 TRIAL VERDICT!! 🌟⚖️ NINE Minute Jury Verdict ⚖️🌟

After a jury trial in Marion County on two counts of Lewd or Lascivious Molestation of a Child, my client was fully acquitted of two horrible accusations, saving him from prison and being labeled as a predator. And the jury deliberated for less than ten minutes!

Much of this trial was shaped before opening statements began. I spent many hours interviewing my client and his family, investigating and deposing every state and defense witness, pulling and pouring over tons of recorded statements and records for state witnesses, and writing and fighting multiple pretrial motions to ensure my client’s trial would be fairly presented under the rules of evidence and law. For the trial, I drafted and argued twelve motions in limine. And it all led to the verdict that came back quickly last night - NOT GUILTY (x2)!

If you’re looking for a dedicated, caring, highly experienced criminal defense attorney who will listen, put in the work, and fight for you both pretrial and at trial, call or text me today at (407) 488-6100 🌟⚖️🌟

05/14/2026

🌟⚖️ SEXUAL BATTERY with “CONFESSION” — VICTORY!! ⚖️🌟

I took over a s*xual battery case in Marion County, Florida from another attorney who had been on it for months. My client, who had never been in trouble before, was being held in jail on a $3 million bond! When I reached out to the prior attorney to obtain the file, she told me there’s a written confession, highly cooperative alleged victim, and that I am not going to be able to get anywhere with this case.

But difficult cases don’t deter me. I listened carefully, always with an open mind, to my client. I meticulously reviewed the discovery again and again. I spent endless amounts of time reviewing the cell phone extraction and more than 5,000 text messages. The State’s discovery looked bad for us at face value alone.

Regardless, I spent dozens of hours in the jail with my client reviewing every piece of discovery, truly listening to my client’s side about why he purportedly “confessed” even though he was innocent, and really getting to know him and understand his side of the allegations. Then I undertook an intensive defense investigation involving gathering documentary and physical evidence from multiple states and disclosing our own defense discovery exhibits.

Right away, I moved for and received a substantial bond reduction. Then, I deposed every single witness - including the accuser and her witnesses. The State’s offer was 12 years prison plus s*x offender probation plus lifetime s*xual offender registration - and the State announced that it would never lower that offer.

I then drafted and filed more motions - to change venue, to sever the charges, to sanction the state for spoliation of evidence, and for an adverse inference jury instruction at trial.

I told the State the only offer we would accept would be to misdemeanor simple battery for time served. The State rejected our offer. So I pushed the case to trial.

My client’s family flew in from out of state for the trial. I prepared for trial and to win. Then, immediately before trial, without my asking for any offer, the State reached out to me and said it would accept my offer of misdemeanor simple battery for time served. My client accepted that on the morning of jury selection and walked away from a terrible s*xual battery allegation without spending a single day in prison, without any felony conviction, and without having to register as a s*xual offender for life.

All victories do not come after trial. This was a hard fought WIN in the face of terrible s*xual allegations and discovery that, at face value alone, contained a “confession.” But in criminal defense, you have to dig deep, keep an open mind, and be prepared to fight at trial. If you need a dauntless, board-certified criminal trial lawyer willing to fight for you no matter how the case may look at first, call or text me at (407) 488-6100 🌟