Florida’s Speedy Trial Rules: What You Need to Know

Big changes are coming to Florida’s criminal justice system – and if you or someone you love is facing criminal charges, you need to be ready. The Florida Supreme Court has approved sweeping amendments to the speedy trial rules, and they’re set to take effect on July 1, 2025. These changes dramatically shift the balance of power—and not in favor of the accused.

What’s Changing?

Under the current rules, once someone is arrested for a criminal offense in Florida, the State must file formal charges and proceed to trial within a strict time limit—90 days for misdemeanors, and 175 days for felonies. If the State fails to meet this deadline, a defendant can file a Notice of Expiration of Speedy Trial, forcing the State to take the case to trial within 15 days—or the charges are dropped for good.

But starting in July 2025, those protections vanish.

Instead of the current timeline, the only deadline that matters will be the statute of limitations, which can range from one year for minor misdemeanors to no time limit at all for serious felonies. That means the State can delay filing charges for months—or even years—while you’re left in limbo with a criminal accusation looming over your head. No trial. No dismissal. No resolution.

The Loopholes Just Got Bigger

Even if the State does file charges and the speedy trial clock starts, things still don’t look much better. Under the new rules:

• The State now has 30 days (up from 10) to bring you to trial after a Notice of Expiration is filed.
• If they still fail to go to trial, they can simply dismiss the case “without prejudice” and refile it at any time—with zero consequences.
• There is no automatic dismissal, no sanctions, and no accountability—unless you can prove a constitutional violation, which is far harder to establish.

Why This Matters

This isn’t just a change in legal procedure—it’s a shift in the rights of every person arrested in Florida. Without strict time limits, the State can delay, stall, or refile criminal charges repeatedly, leaving defendants in a prolonged state of stress, uncertainty, and potential reputational damage.

Protect Your Rights with Fighter Law

If you or a loved one has been arrested or is under investigation, now more than ever, you need an experienced criminal defense attorney who understands how to navigate these upcoming changes. At Fighter Law, we don’t just defend our clients—we fight for them.

Don’t let your future hang in limbo. Contact Fighter Law today and make sure your rights are protected under the new rules.

Attorney Bridgette Williams

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