The Southern District of Florida Federal Public Defender’s Office is dedicated to defending our clients with compassion and vigor.
The Southern District of Florida Federal Public Defender’s Office is dedicated to defending our clients with compassion and vigor.
The Southern District of Florida Federal Public Defender’s Office is dedicated to defending our clients with compassion and vigor.
The Southern District of Florida Federal Public Defender’s Office represents clients who have been charged with a federal crime and who cannot afford to hire a private defense attorney. Each attorney is appointed to represent his or her client by the Court. We are passionate in our mission to provide effective legal representation, and are dedicated to defending our clients with compassion and vigor.
We understand that navigating the legal system is a stressful and difficult process for our clients and their families. Our website is designed to bring a sense of transparency and accessibility to this process.
The Southern District of Florida Federal Public Defender’s Office represents clients who have been charged with a federal crime and who cannot afford to hire a private defense attorney. Each attorney is appointed to represent his or her client by the Court. We are passionate in our mission to provide effective legal representation, and are dedicated to defending our clients with compassion and vigor.
We understand that navigating the legal system is a stressful and difficult process for our clients and their families. Our website is designed to bring a sense of transparency and accessibility to this process.
Notice Regarding COVID-19 from Michael Caruso, Federal Public Defender
With the increasing news and concern about the COVID-19 Coronavirus, we want to assure you that your health and safety is our top priority. We are closely monitoring the situation, and no matter what happens, we will keep providing you the highest quality representation.
That said, to protect the health and safety of our staff, we have decided to reduce the number of individuals physically present in each office. Instead, much of our staff will be working from home and will only be going to the courts and jails if necessary. Although much of our staff will not be physically present in the office, you will still be able to communicate with your attorney and other staff members by phone, letter, and email. If you need anything, do what you normally do, call the office.
Meanwhile, we will continue to monitor the news and reports from the Center for Disease Control (CDC), as well as local, state, and federal governments. We hope to have more information for you in the coming days. We know being in custody makes it difficult to take the preventive measures you would like to take, but please do your best to remain safe and healthy, including washing your hands and covering your mouth when you cough or sneeze. These are unprecedented times. Together we will get through them.
Legal News & Updates
United States v. Penn, No. 21-12420 (Mar. 24, 2023)
In United States v. Penn, No. 21-12420 (Mar. 24, 2023) (Lagoa, Brasher, Ed Carnes), the Court affirmed the defendant’s ACCA sentence based on prior Florida sale-of-cocaine convictions. In holding that the prior convictions were ACCA “serious drug offenses,” the Court rejected three arguments. First, circuit precedent foreclosed the defendant’s argument that a serious drug offense [...]
United States v. Batmasian, No. 21-12800 (Mar. 24, 2023)
In United States v. Batmasian, No. 21-12800 (Mar. 24, 2023) (Branch, Luck, Antoon), the Court held that the district court lacked jurisdiction to consider the pardoned defendant’s motion to expunge his conviction. The defendant filed his expungement motion in the district court that convicted him. But the Eleventh Circuit rejected the defendant’s reliance on the [...]
United States v. Files, No. 21-12859 (Mar. 24, 2023)
In United States v. Files, No. 21-12859 (Mar. 24, 2023) (Newsom, Luck, Tjoflat), the Court affirmed the denial of the defendant’s motion for a reduced sentence under Section 404 of the First Step Act. The question in the case was whether the district court had authority to reduce the defendant’s sentence for a non-covered offense [...]