Why New Year’s Eve Is the Busiest Night
New Year’s Eve is one of five holidays when the City of Orlando’s late-night rules let the police chief require off-duty officers outside downtown late-night bars. NHTSA’s winter “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign runs from December 16, 2026 through January 1, 2027.
Court Holidays This Year
- Thursday, December 31: a court holiday in Seminole, Orange and Osceola counties. Volusia County courts are open, so its weekday schedule applies (1:30 p.m.).
- Friday, January 1: a court holiday in every county.
- Saturday and Sunday, January 2–3: weekend schedule.
First Appearance on Holidays and Weekends
An arrest after midnight is a New Year’s Day arrest, so a charge that needs a judge goes to the holiday docket that morning, or the next one if it misses the cutoff.
- Seminole County: 9:00 a.m. (booked after 2:00 a.m. means the next day’s docket).
- Orange County: about 11:30 a.m.
- Osceola County: 11:00 a.m., by video.
- Volusia County: 8:30 a.m.
Bail for Common New Year’s Charges in Orange County
Amounts from the Ninth Circuit bond schedule, which match Florida’s 2026 statewide schedule. A judge can set a different amount.
- First-offense DUI: $500 bond, $100 premium.
- Battery or affray: $1,000 bond, $100 premium.
- Cannabis, 20 grams or less: $500 bond, $100 premium.
- Domestic violence, felony battery and aggravated battery: bail must be set by a judge.
If Someone Is Arrested on New Year’s Eve
- Get their full legal name, date of birth and the county of arrest.
- Look them up in that county’s official inmate search, or call us at (407) 321-2663.
- If it’s a DUI, expect a hold of up to 8 hours, and note the 10-day deadline to request a license review.
- Never send money to anyone who calls claiming to be the jail.
- Have a ride ready. Orange County says release can take up to 12 hours, and Volusia doesn’t release people from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. without someone there to pick them up.