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.
Our Mission
The United States Supreme Court has held that our constitutional right to a fair trial includes the right to effective legal representation—whether we can afford an attorney or not. To serve that end, Federal Public Defender’s offices have been established nationwide. Founded in 1971, we are proud to be one of the oldest public defender’s offices in the country.
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.
Our main office is in Miami, with branch offices in Fort Lauderdale (30 miles north), West Palm Beach (75 miles north), Fort Pierce (125 miles north) and Key West (179 miles south). We defend a diverse range of criminal charges including drug crimes, tax law violations, firearms offenses, bank robbery, racketeering, bank fraud, environmental crimes, and computer-based offenses. We are also appointed to represent clients in extradition, post-conviction, and treaty transfer proceedings.
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.
Our Mission
The United States Supreme Court has held that our constitutional right to a fair trial includes the right to effective legal representation—whether we can afford an attorney or not. To serve that end, Federal Public Defender’s offices have been established nationwide. Founded in 1971, we are proud to be one of the oldest public defender’s offices in the country.
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.
Our main office is in Miami, with branch offices in Fort Lauderdale (30 miles north), West Palm Beach (75 miles north), Fort Pierce (125 miles north) and Key West (179 miles south). We defend a diverse range of criminal charges including drug crimes, tax law violations, firearms offenses, bank robbery, racketeering, bank fraud, environmental crimes, and computer-based offenses. We are also appointed to represent clients in extradition, post-conviction, and treaty transfer proceedings.
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.
Legal News & Updates
United States v. Stefan Eberhard Zappey, 164 F.4th 1348 (11th Cir. 2026)
In United States v. Stefan Eberhard Zappey, 164 F.4th 1348 (11th Cir. 2026) (Abudu, Rosenbaum, Wilson), the Court affirmed Zappey’s convictions for multiple counts of aggravated sexual abuse, and abusive sexual contact with children under 12. For 20 years, Zappey taught German language classes to children at an American school on a military base in [...]
In re Bowe, No. 24-11704 (Feb. 6, 2026)
In In re Bowe, No. 24-11704 (Feb. 6, 2026) (Ed Carnes, Grant, Wilson), the Eleventh Circuit granted Bowe’s request for authorization to file a second or successive 2255 motion challenging his 924(c) conviction based on the Supreme Court’s decision in Davis. This case was on remand from the Supreme Court, which held that the [...]
United States v. Starr, 159 F.4th 901 (11th Cir. 2025)
In United States v. Starr, 159 F.4th 901 (11th Cir. 2025) (Newsom, Jordan*, Honeywell (MDFL)), the Court affirmed the defendants’ interstate murder for hire convictions, in violation of 18 U.S.C. s. 1958, arising from the murder of Jason Starr’s ex-wife, Sara Starr. In affirming the murder for hire convictions, the Court also held: The [...]