Federal Public Defender – Home Page2020-03-15T23:59:33+00:00

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.

Information for clients and families

Here, you can find information on how to find your court-appointed attorney. This section also answers frequently asked questions related to arrest, bail, detention, sentencing, and appeals.

Family member holding hands

Information for clients and families

Here, you can find information on how to find your court-appointed attorney. This section also answers frequently asked questions related to arrest, bail, detention, sentencing, and appeals.

Family member holding hands

Resources for attorneys

This section provides resources for attorneys who have been appointed under the Criminal Justice Act, and information for attorneys seeking admission to the Criminal Justice Act Panel. Training and CLE opportunities are available.

Legal books

Resources for attorneys

This section provides resources for attorneys who have been appointed under the Criminal Justice Act, and information for attorneys seeking admission to the Criminal Justice Act Panel. Training and CLE opportunities are available.

Legal books

Legal News & Updates

United States v. Perez, No. 22-10267 (Nov. 14, 2023)

November 17th, 2023|

In United States v. Perez, No. 22-10267 (Nov. 14, 2023) (Jordan, Lagoa, Ed Carnes), the Court affirmed Mr. Perez's sentence. While on bond pending trial, Mr. Perez was convicted of two felonies--violating 18 U.S.C. §§ 922(n) and 922(j).  The government informed him that, pursuant to § 18 U.S.C. § 3147, it was going to seek a [...]

United States v. McCall, No. 21-13092 (Oct. 27, 2023)

November 17th, 2023|

In United States v. McCall, No. 21-13092 (Oct. 27, 2023) (Rosenbaum, Branch, Brasher), the Court affirmed the denial of Mr. McCall's motion to suppress.   The Court considered how the exclusionary rule's good faith exception applies to the search of a cloud storage account.  The warrant in question--for Mr. McCall's iCloud account--permitted a search of almost all of [...]

United States v. Pate, No. 20-10545 (Oct. 11, 2023)

October 12th, 2023|

In United States v. Pate, No. 20-10545 (Oct. 11, 2023), the en banc Court--in an opinion authored by Judge Newsom--vacated Mr. Pate's § 1521 convictions and remanded for resentencing.   Mr. Pate filed liens against property owned by a number of people he thought wronged him, including a former Commissioner of the IRS and a former Secretary [...]

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