Lee County Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving Fort Myers, Cape Coral & Lehigh Acres

Attorney Ron Frey of The Frey Law Firm, LLC is based in Tampa and represents people throughout Florida, including in Lee County. Whether a case starts in Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Lehigh Acres, Bonita Springs, Estero, or on the islands, the state case will be heard in Fort Myers, and a federal case from Lee County will be heard in Fort Myers too.

If you have been arrested or contacted by investigators, call before you do anything else. Your consultation is free and confidential: (813) 775-2276 or toll-free (844) 766-3739. Rapid response, 24/7.

Lee County Courts: The Twentieth Judicial Circuit

Lee County is part of Florida’s Twentieth Judicial Circuit, which also covers Charlotte, Collier, Glades, and Hendry Counties. The Office of the State Attorney for the Twentieth Judicial Circuit prosecutes state charges, and its Lee County office is in downtown Fort Myers.

Lee County’s criminal cases are heard at the Lee County Justice Center, 1700 Monroe Street, Fort Myers. Felonies go to Circuit Court, and misdemeanors, criminal traffic cases, and most DUIs go to County Court.

Lee County’s felony court runs on a set rotation. Felony judges cycle through a case management week (arraignments, case management, and pretrial conferences), a motions week, and trial weeks. In practice, that means deadlines come around on a schedule, and preparation needs to start early rather than the week before a hearing.

Who Makes Arrests in Lee County

• Lee County Sheriff’s Office covers unincorporated Lee County, including Lehigh Acres and North Fort Myers, and also serves Fort Myers Beach, Estero, and Bonita Springs.
• Fort Myers Police Department, Cape Coral Police Department, and Sanibel Police Department cover their own cities.
• Federal agents may be involved in computer, fraud, and drug investigations.

The Lee County Sheriff’s Office runs the county jail, including its facility on Ortiz Avenue in Fort Myers. Under Florida’s rules, a person who is held must see a judge within 24 hours of arrest. Lee County also has a Pretrial Services office at the Justice Center that screens people after arrest and reports to the judge on release, and that can supervise people released before trial. It’s another early stage where having a lawyer matters.

Diversion in Lee County

Lee County has a misdemeanor diversion program supervised by Pretrial Services, and some cases are diverted before arraignment. The State Attorney’s Office decides who is eligible, based on criminal history and the facts of the case. Florida law also allows pretrial intervention for some first-time offenders charged with a misdemeanor or a third-degree felony, with the State Attorney’s consent.

These programs are not automatic, and how a case is handled early can affect whether they’re available. Learn more about our first-time offender defense.

Charges We Defend in Lee County

Attorney Frey represents people in Lee County on state and federal charges, including:

• Computer and internet crimes, a major part of his practice, often for people with no record
• AI-related investigations, including deepfakes and AI-assisted scams
• Federal offenses
• White collar and financial crimes
• Drug charges
• Sex offenses
• Violent crimes
• DUI and traffic offenses

See all of our criminal defense practice areas.

Federal Cases: The Fort Myers Division

Federal cases from Lee County are prosecuted in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida, Fort Myers Division, at the United States Courthouse and Federal Building, 2110 First Street, Fort Myers. The Fort Myers Division serves Charlotte, Collier, DeSoto, Glades, Hendry, and Lee Counties.

Attorney Frey is admitted to practice in the Middle District of Florida, which includes the Fort Myers Division. Computer, internet, and AI investigations can end up in state or federal court, and that is often decided early. Learn more about our federal criminal defense.

Call Attorney Ron Frey

Attorney Ron Frey has over 20 years of experience defending people accused of crimes and people under investigation. He will explain what is happening in plain English and go over the options that may apply. No lawyer can promise a result, but you can understand where you stand before you make decisions.

Your consultation is free and confidential. You can talk with us by phone or by video, or meet at our Tampa office, and when the situation calls for it, we can come to you. Call (813) 775-2276 or toll-free (844) 766-3739. Rapid response, 24/7. Learn more about Attorney Ron Frey.

Elsewhere in Florida? We represent clients throughout Florida.

This page provides general information only and is not legal advice. Court locations, agency practices, and program rules can change. Reading this page or contacting The Frey Law Firm, LLC does not create an attorney-client relationship.