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. Charlie Holley, No. 24-11843 (11th Cir. Feb 3, 2026)
United States v. Charlie Holley, No. 24-11843 (11th Cir. Feb 3, 2026) On the morning of June 21, 2021, Charlie Holley barricaded himself inside his Florida City townhouse in the grip of what would later be documented as a severe psychotic episode. Four days earlier, he had begun experiencing what he believed were electrical currents [...]
United States v. Malachi Mullings, No. 24-11822 (11th Cir. Feb. 10, 2026)
In United States v. Malachi Mullings, No. 24-11822 (11th Cir. Feb. 10, 2026) (Branch, Luck, Schlesinger (MDFL)), the Court affirmed Mullings’s money laundering conspiracy convictions, following his guilty plea to an 8-count indictment, and his 120-month sentence of imprisonment. In affirming Mullings’s conviction, the Court, applying the factors in United States v. Buckles, 843 F.2d [...]
United States v. Rufino Robelo-Galo (11th Cir. Feb. 17, 2026)
In United States v. Rufino Robelo-Galo (11th Cir. Feb. 17, 2026) (Brasher, Newson, Tjoflat), the Court held, on an issue of first impression, that a defendant seeking a reduction in sentence pursuant to 18 U.S.C. s. 3582(c)(1)(A)(i) & U.S.S.G. 1B1.13(b)(3)(C), as the “only available caregiver,” the defendant “must demonstrate that no other person is qualified [...]