Zahra Umansky, Esq.

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Orlando Criminal Law Attorney, Zahra Umansky was both a former prosecutor, public defender and legal advisor to the police. During her entire career, she has seen all perspectives of the criminal law process.  She formerly advised police on what steps to take to investigate and charge a case, defended numerous criminal law clients and had many jury trials as a former public defender and later represented the government in the prosecution of multiple types of crimes as a city prosecutor for Orlando.

In her early career, Zahra Umansky was a former Assistant Public Defender in the 18th judicial circuit in Brevard and Seminole Counties, Florida. As a former Public Defender, Zahra had over a hundred criminal law trials including crimes such as theft, assault, battery, prostitution, drugs, dealing in stolen property, forgery, fraud, sex crimes, driving under the influence, and many other Felonies and Misdemeanors. She was able to secure many Not Guilty verdicts and judgment of acquittals protecting her client's right to liberty. After Zahra left the Public Defender's office, she was appointed by the Honorable Glenda Hood, Mayor of Orlando, as the City Prosecutor for the City of Orlando, Florida. With her experience from both sides of the law, she brings invaluable insight to the defense of people caught in the criminal justice system

As City Prosecutor, Zahra was successful in the implementation and prosecution of many types of criminal matters including crimes of disorderly conduct, assault and battery, resisting arrest without violence, trespass, indecent exposure of sexual organs, solicitation to commit prostitution and many other criminal and or ordinance violations. Zahra also served as the prosecutor before the City's Nuisance Abatement Board. She was also a legal advisor to the Orlando Police Department on matters involving search and seizure law, trespass, drugs, domestic violence etc. In 2001, she won the Orlando Police Department Award of Excellence for her work with the police department.  As a legal advisor, Zahra trained police in matters of search and seizure laws, Miranda and other constitutional rights. She reviewed search warrants, wiretap applications, and gave police last minute advice they needed before they made arrests.

While City Prosecutor for the City of Orlando, Zahra was appointed Special Assistant State Attorney for the Ninth judicial circuit to prosecute Firework cases here in Orlando, Florida. As a former prosecutor and legal advisor, Zahra can see and evaluate your case from both sides of the law. As a former police legal advisor, she understands how the Police investigate and secure their evidence and as a former prosecutor, understands how the State of Florida will present their case in court against you. Zahra Umansky is dedicated to defending the rights of her clients and approaches each criminal law case with aggressive and diligent representation. At the same time, she treats each client with the dignity and respect they deserve as human beings.

Areas of Practice:

• 100% Criminal Law

Litigation Percentage:

• 100% of Practice Devoted to Litigation

Bar Admissions:

• Florida, 1993

Education:

• Florida State University College of Law, Tallahassee, Florida, 1992 J.D.
• Stetson University, DeLand, Florida, 1989 B.A.
  Honors: With Honors
  Major: Sociology
  Minor: Psychology

Professional Associations and Memberships:

• NACDL Member
• Orange County Bar Association, Member
• Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, Member (currently)
• Central Florida Criminal Defense Lawyer's Association, Member (currently)

In The News: 

• CNN Soledad O'Brien

          April 13th
          Zimmerman / Trayvon Martin case

• CNN Soledad O'Brien

          April 12th
          Zimmerman / Trayvon Martin case

• CNN Soledad O'Brien

          April 12th
          Zimmerman / Trayvon Martin case

• CNN Justice Online

          April 12th
          Zimmerman / Trayvon Martin case

Past Employment Positions:

• Office of the Public Defender, 18th Judicial Circuit, Assistant Public Defender, 1993 - 1996
• City of Orlando, City Prosecutor, 1996 - 2003

Continuing Education:

• Confronting the Mob Mentality II: Challenging Charges of Sexual Assault - hosted by the NACDL

Sororities:

• Alpha Xi Delta

Trust your reputation to a Orlando Criminal Law Attorney with experience. Contact The Umansky Law Firm today for your free initial consultation in Central Florida.