Richard Earl Hornsby

Richard Earl Hornsby

4.8
Rating: 10.0

Licensed for 25 years

Criminal defense Lawyer at Orlando, FL
Practice Areas: Criminal Defense

1217 East Robinson Street, Orlando, FL

About Richard

Biography

Practice Areas

1

Practice Area

Criminal Defense 100%

26 years | 5,000 cases

100%

Fees and Rates

Cost

Free Consultation

$0 first 60 minutes

Retainer

Sometimes


Payment Methods

  • Cash
  • Check
  • Credit Card

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Licenses

Licensed in Florida for 25 years

State: Florida

Acquired: 2001

Member in Good Standing

No misconduct found

Location

Richard E. Hornsby, PA

1217 East Robinson Street, Orlando, FL, 32801

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Richard Earl Hornsby's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

4.8 /5.0

319 Client Reviews

Showing 56 - 60 of 72 reviews | General Knowledge

Posted by Mike | March 09, 2011 | Criminal Defense

LOOK NO FURTHER

When my son needed legal representation I feel very fortunate to have had Mr. Hornsby recommended to us. My son's case could have become a legal entanglement had not Mr. Hornsby demanded the State prove their case on more than a simple accusation. Mr. Hornsby’s courtroom demeanor and the respect sh...own him by all in the courtroom was reassuring at a very stressful time. I was pleasantly surprised that Mr. Hornsby would answer his phone himself when I would call his office. Mr. Hornsby always made himself available to answer all of our questions and advise us on all options available to bring the case to a favorable conclusion. I feel Mr. Hornsby's fee to represent my son was fair and I was pleased that it was all inclusive from start to finish. In my business life there is always litigation and this is my first experience where additional fees where not requested. I found Mr. Hornsby to be knowledgeable, professional, honest and personable. Mr. Hornsby will always be my first choice and recommendation to anyone seeking legal representation in the Orlando area. In closing, the outcome of my son’s case was that all charges were dropped by the State.

Posted by Peter | March 08, 2011 | Criminal Defense

Excellent!

My experience with Mr. Hornsby has been excellent. I had no idea what to expect when I found myself on the wrong side of some charges, but Mr. Hornsby was very knowledgeable about my situation. He presented every option in detail and how they would affect my case and helped me select my best option... without pressuring me one way or another. Everything happened exactly how Mr. Hornsby said they would and almost at the exact time he predicted. He really knows the judicial system in Orlando to a tee. Everything in my case was resolved excellently and I am happy to be done. I trusted him so much that I already recommended him to one of my friends in my same situation.

Posted by Jessie | February 07, 2011 | Lawsuits & Disputes

Completely Satisfied

I had an excellent experience with Mr. Hornsby. He was quick to respond to any questions I had via email and met with me the very day that I needed to. He was very knowledgeable when counseling me about the steps it was going to take to get my case resolved and I couldn't be happier with the results.... He was recommended to me by a friend and I would recommend him to any friends or family that I have.

Posted by anonymous | January 27, 2011 | Criminal Defense

Sleepless in Orlando

Something serious happens. You find yourself on the wrong side of the law. In the hours and days that follow, you will be taken to have your picture and finger prints taken and held in jail. On the other side of the law, in Jail, people you come in contact with "Have heard it all before". Your pictur...e will be on the Internet within hours. You will be alone and in a very scary place. The uncertainty of the future - all the worst-case scenarios will play out in your head. The humiliation. The grave charges brought against you will be hard to comprehend. It's hard to deal with; heavy. I was lucky enough to retain Richard Hornsby as soon as I was able. Richard met me on a Saturday. He was punctual to the minute. In his office, he listened to my explanation of the events. He reviewed my charges from the documents I presented him. He looked me up in the County Clerk system as he knows his way around the infrastructure of the judicial system. Richard sat there for a minute, quietly thinking as he found me in the system and checked various screens of information and looked up the specific statutes I was in violation of. Without an ounce of sugar-coating (I would have loved a "spoon full of sugar as the medicine went down" but that's not Richard's style) he spun around in his office chair and told me how serious the charges were against me. I received a razor-sharp-articulate explanation and a very professional assessment of what to expect and the series of events that would probably unfold. Richard was never mean, cruel or condescending. I never felt that I was about to be "raked over the coals". Richard never promised a thing, but his knowledge of the system and his expectations of a "reasonable and predictable" resolution to my charges were comforting. When I left Richard's office that Saturday, I slept better knowing that I was represented by him. Ultimately it's about sleep; in your own bed, instead of in Jail or Prison. As bad as charges might be against you, relax as much as you can, if Richard is representing you. Even now, as my issue is resolved to a high level of satisfaction, I realize that everything happened according to Richard's assessments from the first day I spoke with him. I hope to never see Richard again, but I know an Attorney who is competent, intelligent and razor sharp, who is out there defending people; now you know too.

Posted by Thomas | January 07, 2011 | Criminal Defense

Negotiated great outcome

# User Rating: 5 out of 5 stars by Thomas 01/06/2011 I got myself in trouble at age 71. Never had to hire a lawyer,after making several calls I found Mr. Hornsby, on the internet. I had been considering a Public Defender, but instead I found not only one of the best rated Attorneys but one ...of the most affordable as well.The first meeting went well,and I left with the feeling that a huge weight had been lifted and felt hope for the first time.He told me to go home and live my life. I followed his written instructions.He handled everything.He called me the day before my first court appearance and explained what agreement he had reached. It was far better than I had hoped. I am now able to get on with my life and highly recommend Mr. Hornsby, to anyone needing a first rate Criminal Defense Attorney. Thank you Mr. Hornsby,for getting me my life back and being able to go home to my wife of 49 yrs. ----Bless you

See All Client Reviews

Richard Earl Hornsby's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Richard
Shon Joseph Douctre headshot
Shon Douctre

Criminal defense lawyer | Jan 15

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Richard Hornsby is a heavy weight. If myself or a family member was in trouble for any serious felony case, Richard would my top pick in Orlando. Richard Hornsby does not play! He is outstanding at law and as a person. First class."

Michael Stephen Stanfield headshot
Michael Stanfield

Criminal defense lawyer | Feb 23

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"Richard is one of the finest lawyers I know and a ferocious litigator. Some people may misunderstand his bluntness, but he cuts to the core of issues without wasting clients time with sugar-coating."

Alejandro Rivera headshot
Alejandro Rivera

Criminal defense lawyer | Feb 22

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

Paula Colette Coffman headshot
Paula Coffman

Criminal defense lawyer | Jun 27

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"I have had the pleasure of knowing Richard Hornsby since he was a rising star in the Public Defender’s Office more than a decade ago. Richard is a gifted trial lawyer and fearless legal advocate on behalf of his clients. I enthusiastically endorse this criminal defense lawyer."

Jayson Thomas Zortman Jr. headshot
Jayson Zortman

Criminal defense lawyer | Aug 18

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Through the years I've sent several referrals to Mr. Hornsby and I will continue to do so, this guy knows what he's doing. I endorse this lawyer."

A. Jay Fowinkle headshot
A. Fowinkle

Criminal defense lawyer | Apr 28

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Richard is a superb attorney. His knowledge of the law and prowess in the courtroom is widely known throughout central Florida. I highly recommend Richard Hornsby."

Jeffrey Nicholas Ivashuk headshot
Jeffrey Ivashuk

Criminal defense lawyer | Feb 06

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. Highly respected in the legal community."

Jacob Vickers Stuart Jr. headshot
Jacob Stuart

Criminal defense lawyer | Feb 05

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Mr. Hornsby is an attorney who has that very rare"special sauce" that makes him one of best trial attorneys in Florida. He possesses a wide range of knowledge, along with a tenacious will, that when put together, allow him to get the optimal results for each of his clients. Our Firm highly endorses Mr. Hornsby."

Elizabeth E. Bourdon headshot
Elizabeth Bourdon

Criminal defense lawyer | Oct 07

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. Mr. Hornsby aggressively defends every case he handles, and is a great advocate for his clients. Clients are well informed and expertly represented. Mr. Hornsby is also a very helpful resource for colleagues. My endorsement is not just that of a colleague, but also that of a former client."

Hovanes Margarian headshot
Hovanes Margarian

Criminal defense lawyer | Jul 16

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

Patrick John Grozinger headshot
Patrick Grozinger

Criminal defense lawyer | Mar 26

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. If you are looking for a real trial lawyer, then Richard should be your choice. He is a relentless advocate for his clients, and doesn't shy away from taking cases to trial. Top notch."

James Scott Herman headshot
James Herman

Criminal defense lawyer | Mar 11

Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

"I endorse this lawyer."

Mark Edward Campbell headshot
Mark Campbell

Criminal defense lawyer | Jan 17

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Richard Hornsby is very well known locally as a dedicated, talented, and passionate advocate."

Karen Rodriguez Ibarrondo headshot
Karen Ibarrondo

Criminal defense lawyer | Jan 15

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

Gray Richard Proctor headshot
Gray Proctor

Criminal defense lawyer | Dec 09

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

David Lee Redfearn headshot
David Redfearn

Criminal defense lawyer | Jul 20

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"This Hornsby fellow is a rare breed in our age of declining jury trials and plea-bargain, conveyor-belt justice. Good on his feet and good in his seat, Richard's motion practice is built on thorough research and creativity - I know because I've seen his pleadings. It is often enough to seriously wound the State's prosecution. But if one goes to trial, woe unto those who seek harm for his client. Richard's unrelenting trial preparation and ferocious advocacy speaks, I think, to his respect for the best traditions of our great profession. F.Lee Bailey once said a good criminal defense lawyer has to be a maverick and a renegade. That sure fits Hornsby. There are many fine lawyers in this town, but if there was a survey that polled Orlando criminal lawyers whom they would hire if a loved one was arrested for a serious crime (and it could not be themselves or their partners), I believe Richard would be on the short-list."

Christopher John Atcachunas headshot
Christopher Atcachunas

Criminal defense lawyer | May 09

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

Christopher Chad Cronon headshot
Christopher Cronon

Criminal defense lawyer | May 01

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. Hornsby is a damn good trial lawyer. He likes to say he is a better trial lawyer than me. He is not afraid to take a case to trial. He is gifted. I only beat a few times at trial when we were very young so I know he is solid. He also has sharp as a tack legal mind. He thinks highly of himself but I think it is well deserved. I think highly of him too. His theatrics in the courtroom do not go unnoticed (by me) and as such, he wins over a jury."

Jeffrey R Caffee headshot
Jeffrey Caffee

Violent crime lawyer | Mar 13

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Top-notch attorney. Highly respected in the legal community."

John Kingry Overchuck headshot
John Overchuck

Criminal defense lawyer | Feb 27

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

View All Endorsements
J. Michael Price II headshot
J. Michael Price

Criminal defense lawyer

Whitney Stacel Boan headshot
Whitney Boan

Criminal defense lawyer

Paula Colette Coffman headshot
Paula Coffman

Appeals lawyer

Michael Stephen Stanfield headshot
Michael Stanfield

Criminal defense lawyer

A. Jay Fowinkle headshot
A. Fowinkle

Criminal defense lawyer

Patrick John Grozinger headshot
Patrick Grozinger

Criminal defense lawyer

Shon Joseph Douctre headshot
Shon Douctre

DUI and DWI lawyer

Stuart Ira Hyman headshot
Stuart Hyman

DUI and DWI lawyer

John Kingry Overchuck headshot
John Overchuck

Personal injury lawyer

George Carson Via headshot
George Via

Criminal defense lawyer

William Rudolf Ponall headshot
William Ponall

Criminal defense lawyer

Kelly Bryan Sims headshot
Kelly Sims

Criminal defense lawyer

Gisela Then Laurent headshot
Gisela Laurent

Criminal defense lawyer

Lyle Barrister Mazin headshot
Lyle Mazin

Criminal defense lawyer

Lawrence Henry Hornsby Jr. headshot
Lawrence Hornsby

Securities and investment fraud lawyer

Brett Hartley headshot
Brett Hartley

Criminal defense lawyer

Rajan Joshi headshot
Rajan Joshi

Criminal defense lawyer

Thomas Bert Feiter headshot
Thomas Feiter

Criminal defense lawyer

Eric Harold Barker headshot
Eric Barker

Criminal defense lawyer

Derek B Brett headshot
Derek Brett

Criminal defense lawyer

Experience

Rating:  10.0 (Superb)

Honors

2022

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers Magazine

2021

Florida Legal Elite, Florida Trend Magazine

2021

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers Magazine

2020

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers Magazine

2019

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers Magazine

2018

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers Magazine

2017

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers Magazine

2016

Legal Elite, Orlando Style Magazine

2016

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers Magazine

2015

Top 100 Trial Lawyers, National Trial Lawyers

2015

Rising Star, SuperLawyers

2014

Rising Star, Super Lawyers Magazine

2013

Top 40 Under 40, National Trial Lawyers Association

2013

Top 100 Trial Lawyers, National Trial Lawyers Association

2013

Rising Star, Super Lawyers Magazine

2012

Rising Star, Super Lawyers Magazine

2009

Board Certification in Criminal Trial Advocacy, National Board of Trial Advocacy

2008

Board Certification in Criminal Trial Law, The Florida Bar

2007

Best of the Bar, Criminal Defense, The Orlando Business Journal

2000

Trial Practice Book Award, The University of Florida College of Law

Work Experience

2005 - Present

Owner, Richard E. Hornsby, P.A.

2003 - 2004

Associate, Woolfolk & Jordan, P.A.

2000 - 2003

Assistant Public Defender, Office of the Public Defender

Associations

2022 - Present

Florida Bar

Criminal Procedure Rules Committee

2013 - Present

National Trial Lawyers Association

Member

2013 - Present

NORML Legal Committee

Lifetime Member

2004 - Present

Association of Trial Lawyers of America

Member

2001 - Present

National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers

Lifetime Member

2001 - Present

Orange County Bar Association

Member

2001 - Present

American Bar Association

Member

2007 - 2008

Central Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers

President

2006 - 2010

Affordable Housing Advisory Committee, City of Orlando

Member

Sample of Legal Cases

State v. R.S.

Not Guilty

State v. F.A.F

Not Guilty

State v. V.S.D.

Not Guilty

State v. V.L.T.

Not Guilty

State v. A.B.Z.

Not Guilty

State of Florida v. C.M.

Not Guilty

State of Florida v. Ezekiel G. Keys

Not Guilty on all Counts

State of Florida v. Renee Estrada

Not Guilty

State of Florida v. Chaddrick D. Greene

Not Guilty

State v. Lianzhi Zuo

Not Guilty on all counts.

State v. Sean D. Kelley

All counts dismissed by Judge.

State v. Brian C. DuPuy

Not Guilty

State v. Christian C. Mauro

Not Guilty

State v. Lenton J. Jones

Not Guilty: all Felonies; Guilty: all Misdemeanors

State v. Rodrick Payton

Not Guilty on all First Degree Felonies

State v. Sean D. Kelley

Dismissed by Judge

State v. William F. Flynn

Not Guilty

State of Florida v. Eugene G. Davis

Not Guilty on all Counts

State v. Chad B. Schneider

Not Guilty

State v. Ryan D. Maxey

Prosecutor dismissed case halfway through trial

State v. Mark D. Young

Not Guilty

State v. Emilio C. Rodriguez

Not Guilty of First Degree Misdemeanor

State v. Marquiz T. Crawley

All counts dismissed by Judge

State v. Karen D. Nelson

Not Guilty

State v. Peter J. Johnson

Not Guilty

State v. Alfonzo B. Lewis

Not Guilty

State v. Kelly E. Duncan

Not Guilty

State v. Erin K. Fitzpatrick

Hung Jury

State v. Edwin Jean-Baptiste, Jr.

Not guilty on all counts

State v. Vincent Noble

Prosecutor dismissed case halfway through trial

State v. Gerald Gorski

Not Guilty

State v. Christopher L. Herrmann

Not Guilty

State v. Horace H. Catinna

Not Guilty

State v. Luis O. Perez

Prosecutor dismissed case halfway through trial

State v. Richard L. Bentley

Not Guilty on all counts

State v. Marcus J. Fountain

Not Guilty

State v. Sharese T. Newsome

Not Guilty

State v. Ronald L. Roberts

Prosecutor dismissed case after Jury Selection

State v. John E. Buchy

Dismissed by Judge

State v. James Bennett

Not guilty

State v. Shandreka R. Simmons

Not Guilty

State v. Lanavorety Woodson

Not Guilty on Felony

State v. Anderson Jacob

Not Guilty of Felony; Guilty of Misdemeanor

State v. Wilfred Gregory

Not Guilty

State v. Fausto A. Baez

Not Guilty of Felony; Judge Dimissed Misdemeanor

State v. Lennon L. Pickett

Not Guilty on All Counts

State v. Dennis W. Servis

Guilty. However, Reversed on Appeal.

State v. Archie D. Helton

Not Guilty

State v. Ferdinand Gonzalez

Guilty of First Degree Misdemeanor

State v. John C. Saunders

Not Guilty

State v. Floyd L. Lane

Not Guilty

State v. Brian B. Steward

Not Guilty

State v. Angel J. Leon

Not Guilty

State v. Mariana L. Rivera

Not Guilty

State v. Ludie J. Smith

Not Guilty

See More Legal Cases

Education

2014

University of Florida College of Pharmacy

Master of Science in Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences

2003

University of Central Florida

Master of Science in Criminal Justice

2000

University of Florida, College of Law

Juris Doctor

1996

University of Florida

Bachelor of Arts

Speaking Engagements

2008

Public Defender Training College

Jury Selection for Real Attorneys

2007

Public Defender Training College

Effective Closing Arguments

2006

Public Defender Training College

Search and Seizure in Florida

2004

Public Defender Training College

Basics in Criminal Pleadings

Publications

Languages

English

Activity

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Avvo Rating Levels
10.0 - 9.0 Superb8.9 - 8.0 Excellent7.9 - 7.0 Very Good6.9 - 6.0 Good5.9 - 5.0 Average4.9 - 4.0 Concern3.9 - 3.0 Caution2.9 - 2.0 Strong Caution1.9 - 1.0 Extreme Caution