Fort Lauderdale Criminal Defense Attorney
Direct attorney representation for weapon charges, domestic violence, drug charges, and DUI cases in Fort Lauderdale. Free, confidential consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who investigates and arrests for criminal charges in Fort Lauderdale?+
Where is my Fort Lauderdale criminal case heard?+
Why does Fort Lauderdale see so many DUI arrests along Las Olas and the beach corridor?+
Is a Spanish-language interpreter available for my hearing in Fort Lauderdale?+
What happens immediately after a domestic violence arrest in Fort Lauderdale?+
What is Florida's 10-20-Life law and how does it affect a weapon charge?+
How does Florida charge drug possession versus drug trafficking?+
Can a Fort Lauderdale criminal charge be sealed or expunged later?+
What happens if I violate probation on a Fort Lauderdale case?+
Criminal Defense Representation in Fort Lauderdale
Fort Lauderdale is served by its own municipal police department, with criminal cases heard under Broward's 17th Judicial Circuit, a genuinely separate court system from Miami-Dade. Four areas make up the majority of Fort Lauderdale criminal defense cases the firm handles.
Firearm Possession and 10-20-Life
Florida firearm cases sit on three tracks at once: a state charge under Chapter 790, a 10-20-Life enhancement under Fla. Stat. Section 775.087, and potential federal exposure under 18 U.S.C. Section 922(g) or 924(c). See our full Weapon Charges Defense page for the complete framework.
Assault, Battery, and Injunctions
Florida law mandates custody until First Appearance for every domestic violence arrest, heard through a specialized Broward court division. The full Domestic Violence Criminal Defense page covers the complete framework.
Possession, Sale, and Trafficking
Charges under Fla. Stat. Sections 893.13 and 893.135, where the specific quantity involved determines whether mandatory minimum trafficking penalties apply. Details are on the Drug Charges Defense page.
DUI and Traffic Defense
DUI and traffic defense cases, heard at the Broward County Courthouse regardless of the specific arrest location within Fort Lauderdale. More detail is on the Fort Lauderdale DUI Lawyer page.
Some Sentences Cannot Be Negotiated Down
Florida's 10-20-Life law and drug trafficking statutes both impose mandatory minimum sentences that a judge cannot reduce below the statutory floor, regardless of mitigating circumstances. These cases are won or lost early, in the charging and evidence-review stage, not at sentencing.
- 10-20-Life mandatory minimums apply statewide to specific enumerated felonies involving a firearm
- Drug trafficking mandatory minimums are triggered by specific weight thresholds
- Every domestic violence arrest results in custody until First Appearance under Florida law
- Fort Lauderdale cases are heard under Broward's 17th Judicial Circuit, not Miami-Dade's 11th
How a Fort Lauderdale Criminal Case Gets Built
A weapon charge, a drug charge, and a domestic violence charge each carry a genuinely different statutory framework. Identifying which mandatory minimums and enhancements apply is the first, necessary step in any case.
A Genuinely Different Court System Than Miami-Dade
Fort Lauderdale is in Broward County, governed by the 17th Judicial Circuit rather than Miami-Dade's 11th. Broward is the second-largest judicial circuit in Florida, with its own judges, its own courthouse at 201 SE 6th Street, and its own case procedures. The underlying Florida criminal statutes still apply the same way. A firm that handles most of its cases in Miami-Dade needs a real, working familiarity with Broward's specific court to represent a client here effectively, not just a general knowledge of Florida law.
A Nightlife Corridor Under Heavy Enforcement
Fort Lauderdale's nightlife concentrates in a compact, walkable stretch that draws locals and a genuinely large tourist population alike. DUI enforcement there is active and multi-agency, particularly during spring break, boat shows, and other event weekends. A significant share of the resulting arrests involve out-of-state visitors, and the specific circumstances of the traffic stop, along with whether field sobriety testing followed standardized protocol, are often where a genuine defense begins.
The mandatory minimum is the floor, not the ceiling, and the fight to avoid it happens before sentencing.
Language Access From the First Call
Fort Lauderdale has a substantial Spanish-speaking population, and the local court system reflects that. Certified Spanish-language interpreters are available at no cost for any hearing. Kaylee, the firm's office assistant, handles Spanish-language intake directly for clients who are more comfortable communicating in Spanish, so the first conversation about a case does not have to happen in a second language. When implied consent warnings or Miranda rights were given only in English to someone who did not understand them, that fact can become a genuine issue in the defense.
Weapon Charges and 10-20-Life
A weapon charge often hinges on whether the underlying felony is one of the specific, enumerated offenses that triggers Florida's 10-20-Life mandatory minimums under Fla. Stat. Section 775.087. Whether the firearm was possessed, displayed, or discharged changes the mandatory minimum significantly, from 10 years to 20 years to 25 years to life. Because prosecutors have discretion in the initial charging decision, an early, careful review of the evidence and the specific charge filed is critical.
Nearly 30 Years Representing Law Enforcement
Since 1997, Andre has served the Professional Law Enforcement Association, first as General Counsel through 2007 and as Associate General Counsel since, defending the rights of police officers. That work, spanning nearly three decades, means a genuine, working familiarity with how South Florida law enforcement investigates, arrests, and builds a case, from the inside. That same familiarity applies directly when defending a client against those same investigative and arrest procedures.
Related Legal Matters
A Fort Lauderdale criminal case frequently overlaps with related defense and personal injury areas.
The outcome of a Fort Lauderdale criminal case depends on the specific charge, the applicable mandatory minimums, and how the evidence is reviewed early in the case, and that requires a real review, not a guess. The first consultation is free and confidential, with no obligation to retain.
Criminal Defense Representation Across South Florida
Local courthouses, arresting agencies, and case timelines vary by city. See detailed information for the areas below, or see the firm's full Areas We Serve page.
Direct attorney access at (305) 774-7000
The outcome of a Fort Lauderdale criminal case depends on the specific charge, the applicable mandatory minimums, and how quickly a defense gets built. The first consultation is free and confidential, with no obligation to retain.
