ORLANDO, Fla. — Suspended District 5 Commissioner Regina Hill returned to an Orange County courtroom on Tuesday morning.

Hill's attorney, John Notari, requested a trial this year, and the judge set her pretrial date for Sept. 17 at 9 a.m. Her trial period was scheduled for about Sept. 30.

Hill was suspended from her position by Gov. Ron DeSantis after being charged and later indicted on charges of elder exploitation and fraud.

Hill is accused of gaining power of attorney over a 96-year-old woman's finances and then using them for her own benefit. A civil case was filed against Hill in April, requesting a permanent injunction to block her power of attorney privileges. The injunction was upheld by a judge, but Hill has maintained that she's done nothing wrong.

Hill said she remains optimistic the case will be resolved.

“I’m confident, I’m trusting in the Lord and trusting the process and in my great attorneys and the community,” she said.

Notari said Tuesday marked a standard pretrial conference.

"We continued the case to get all the discovery done in the case," Notari said. "We’re very confident in the process. We’re going to set all the depositions and take everyone to state… and I’m overwhelmed by the support for this wonderful lady.”

Shaniqua “Shan” Rose was elected by the District 5 community to fill Hill’s seat as commissioner temporarily. Rose's induction into the city commissioner seat would still end at the end of Hill's original term, which is January 2026.

Hill said she is hopeful about taking her place back in the city commission, when her case is resolved.

More than anything, Hill said she really just wants justice to prevail and for the truth to be known.