1. Jeffrey S. Weiner, P.A.
Practice Focus: State criminal defense, federal criminal defense, international criminal defense, white collar crimes, professional license defense, appellate practice
Case Types Handled: Federal crimes, state felonies, misdemeanors, white collar crimes, drug offenses, RICO violations, conspiracy, fraud, tax crimes, international crimes, professional licensing matters, appeals
Legal Services: Trial defense, federal court representation, international criminal defense, grand jury representation, professional license defense, appeals, U.S. Supreme Court advocacy, investigation defense
Background: Attorney Jeffrey S. Weiner is founder and lead counsel. Board-Certified Criminal Trial Lawyer by The Florida Bar. Former President of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and former President of the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. Has argued trials and appeals throughout the nation in over 25 states and before the United States Supreme Court, Florida Supreme Court, and numerous state and federal appellate courts. Over 50 years of criminal defense experience. Lectures regularly on criminal law and legal ethics at law schools and legal seminars nationwide. Selected by Dade County Medical Association to represent physicians in criminal matters as one of only two criminal defense lawyers receiving that honor. Admitted to practice in Florida, federal courts nationwide, and U.S. Supreme Court.
Location: 12550 Biscayne Boulevard, Suite 200, North Miami, FL 33181
Contact: (305) 670-9919 | https://www.jeffweiner.com
Consultation: Free consultation available 24/7
2. Ratzan & Faccidomo, LLC
Practice Focus: State criminal defense, federal criminal defense, DUI/DWI defense, white collar crimes, professional license defense, college student defense
Case Types Handled: Felonies, misdemeanors, DUI/DWI, drug crimes, white collar crimes (tax fraud, embezzlement), violent crimes, sex crimes, murder, professional license matters, federal crimes
Legal Services: Trial defense, federal court representation, administrative license hearings, professional license defense, plea negotiations, motion practice, jury trials, appeals
Background: Attorney Mycki Ratzan is founding partner with over 17 years as partner at a prior Miami criminal defense firm before co-founding Ratzan & Faccidomo. Has a long history of defending fellow attorneys before The Florida Bar in disciplinary proceedings. Attorney Jude M. Faccidomo is founding partner and managing partner. J.D. from Saint Thomas University School of Law. Undergraduate degree from Bard College, New York. Former Assistant Public Defender in Miami-Dade Public Defender’s Office, gaining extensive jury trial experience across criminal matters. Over 20 years of Florida criminal defense experience. Both partners are respected in the legal community for trial skills and are known by judges, prosecutors, and fellow criminal defense attorneys.
Location: 1229 Brickell Avenue, Suite 300, Miami, FL 33131
Contact: (305) 810-7442 | https://www.rflawgroup.com
Consultation: Free consultation available
3. The Edelstein Firm
Practice Focus: State criminal defense, federal criminal defense, DUI/DWI, drug crimes, violent crimes, white collar crimes, sex crimes
Case Types Handled: State felonies, federal crimes, misdemeanors, DUI/DWI, drug crimes, violent crimes, white collar crimes, sex crimes, theft, assault, battery, weapons charges, student defense, tourist defense
Legal Services: Trial defense, federal court representation, plea negotiations, motion practice, jury trials, appeals, out-of-state client representation
Background: The firm has provided criminal defense for over 25 years in Miami-Dade County, Fort Lauderdale, and Boca Raton. Limits practice exclusively to state and federal criminal defense with no civil matters. Known for hands-on approach with personal attorney involvement throughout the case. Represents tourists arrested in Miami and students facing criminal charges, helping minimize return appearances when possible.
Location: 201 Alhambra Circle, Suite 801, Coral Gables, FL 33134
Contact: (305) 444-2121 | https://www.miami-criminal-lawyer.net
Consultation: Consultation available
4. Barry M. Wax, Attorney at Law
Practice Focus: State criminal defense, federal criminal defense, professional license defense, white collar crimes, drug crimes, violent crimes
Case Types Handled: Federal crimes, felonies, misdemeanors, white collar crimes, drug offenses, violent crimes, sex crimes, DUI/DWI, professional license matters, regulatory defense
Legal Services: Trial defense, federal court representation, professional license defense, administrative hearings, plea negotiations, motion practice, jury trials, appeals, regulatory defense
Background: Attorney Barry M. Wax handles both criminal and administrative proceedings involving professional licenses. Represents licensed professionals facing disciplinary action or criminal charges related to professional activities across fields including healthcare, law, accounting, and real estate. Known for federal criminal defense expertise and early intervention in investigations.
Location: 1200 Brickell Avenue, Suite 1950, Miami, FL 33131
Contact: (305) 373-4400 | https://www.barrywax.com
Consultation: Consultation available
5. Michael A. Gottlieb, P.A.
Practice Focus: Criminal defense, DUI/DWI, drug crimes, violent crimes, white collar crimes, sex crimes, domestic violence
Case Types Handled: Felonies, misdemeanors, DUI/DWI, drug crimes, violent crimes, white collar crimes, sex crimes, domestic violence, theft, assault, federal crimes
Legal Services: Trial defense, federal court representation, plea negotiations, motion practice, jury trials, pretrial motions, administrative hearings
Background: Attorney Michael A. Gottlieb has over 30 years of criminal defense experience. Handles cases in Miami-Dade County and throughout South Florida. Member of the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. Recognized by Super Lawyers. Known for defending clients in both state and federal courts with emphasis on achieving favorable outcomes through plea negotiation or trial.
Location: Fort Lauderdale, FL (serving Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach Counties)
Contact: (954) 355-7286 | Website available through Florida Bar directory
Consultation: Consultation available
Criminal Defense Regulations in Florida
Florida requires attorneys to be admitted to The Florida Bar to practice law in the state. Admission requires graduation from an ABA-accredited law school, passing the Florida bar examination, and satisfying character and fitness requirements. The Florida Bar is a unified, integrated bar under the supervision of the Florida Supreme Court.
Florida operates a circuit-based public defender system. Each of the 20 judicial circuits has an elected Public Defender who provides representation to indigent defendants. Indigency determination is made by the court based on financial affidavits and application. Defendants charged with offenses carrying potential imprisonment have the constitutional right to appointed counsel if they cannot afford private representation.
The Florida Bar offers Board Certification in Criminal Trial Law, which requires substantial trial experience (at least 25 contested criminal trials), peer review, passing a specialized examination, and demonstrated special competence. Approximately 1% of Florida attorneys hold this certification. The National College for DUI Defense offers DUI Defense Law certification recognized in Florida.
Attorney advertising in Florida is governed by Rules Regulating The Florida Bar Chapter 4, Subchapter 4-7. All communications must be truthful and not misleading. Certain terms like “expert” or “specialist” require Board Certification. Direct solicitation of prospective clients for pecuniary gain is prohibited unless the person is a family member, close friend, former client, or attorney.
Attorney-client privilege in Florida is codified in Florida Statute Section 90.502, protecting confidential communications between attorneys and clients made for the purpose of obtaining legal services. Florida extends this privilege to include all persons present to further the interest of the client.
Florida requires attorneys to complete 33 hours of continuing legal education every three years, including five hours of ethics, professionalism, bias elimination, or mental illness awareness, and one technology program.
Florida classifies felonies into degrees: Capital felonies are punishable by death or life imprisonment without parole. Life felonies carry up to life imprisonment. First-degree felonies carry up to 30 years imprisonment and $10,000 fine. Second-degree felonies carry up to 15 years and $10,000 fine. Third-degree felonies carry up to 5 years and $5,000 fine. Misdemeanors are first-degree (up to 1 year and $1,000 fine) or second-degree (up to 60 days and $500 fine).
Florida has the death penalty for capital murder. Defense attorneys in capital cases must be certified by the Supreme Court of Florida or meet specific qualifications established by the trial court. Florida requires two attorneys in capital trial proceedings, with lead counsel having significant capital experience.
Florida’s record sealing and expungement provisions are found in Florida Statute Sections 943.0585 (expungement) and 943.059 (sealing). Eligibility is highly restricted. Expungement is available only if charges resulted in acquittal, dismissal, or nolle prosequi and you have never been adjudicated guilty or had a record sealed or expunged previously. Sealing is available for records when adjudication was withheld and you have never been adjudicated guilty of a criminal offense or had a record sealed or expunged. Certain offenses are never eligible, including sexual offenses, domestic violence, child abuse, arson, aggravated assault or battery, kidnapping, robbery, carjacking, stalking, and human trafficking.
Florida has sentencing guidelines through the Criminal Punishment Code, which calculates a scoresheet to determine the lowest permissible sentence. The court may depart downward from the lowest permissible sentence but cannot go below certain mandatory minimums. Habitual felony offender provisions (F.S. 775.084) impose enhanced sentences for repeat offenders.
Bail in Florida is governed by Florida Rules of Criminal Procedure 3.131 and Florida Statute Section 903. Most offenses are bailable, except capital offenses when proof is evident or presumption is great. A first appearance before a judge must occur within 24 hours of arrest. Courts consider the nature of the offense, defendant’s ties to the community, employment, financial resources, criminal history, and probability of appearance when setting bail.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What happens at an arraignment in Miami-Dade County?
A: At arraignment in Miami-Dade County Circuit Court (Richard E. Gerstein Justice Building) or County Court, the judge formally reads the charges and asks how you plead (guilty, not guilty, or no contest). In felony cases, arraignment occurs after the information or indictment is filed. You may waive formal arraignment if you have an attorney and file a written plea of not guilty. At arraignment, the court addresses pretrial release conditions and may modify bond. Discovery begins running from arraignment. You have the right to an attorney at arraignment. If you cannot afford counsel, you may apply for the Public Defender. Failure to appear can result in a bench warrant and bond forfeiture.
Q: How does bond work at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center (TGK)?
A: At TGK (Miami-Dade Corrections), bond is typically set at first appearance before a judge, which must occur within 24 hours of arrest. For many offenses, standard bond schedules allow release before first appearance if the amount is posted. Cash bond can be posted at the jail’s cashier window. Bail bondsmen typically charge 10% of the bond amount as a non-refundable premium. Property bonds require substantial equity documentation. Defendants unable to afford bond may request a bond reduction hearing before the arraignment judge. The court may impose conditions such as GPS monitoring, pretrial supervision, no-contact orders, or home detention. Processing after bond is posted can take several hours to a full day depending on jail population and time of day.
Q: What are the penalties for a first-offense DUI in Florida?
A: A first-offense DUI in Florida (BAC 0.08% or higher or impaired by alcohol or drugs) is a second-degree misdemeanor or first-degree misdemeanor (depending on circumstances), carrying: fine of $500 to $1,000 (up to $2,000 if BAC was 0.15% or higher or minor was in vehicle), imprisonment up to 6 months (up to 9 months if BAC was 0.15% or higher or minor was in vehicle), probation up to 12 months total combined with any jail time, license suspension of 180 days to 1 year (hardship license may be available immediately with ignition interlock), 50 hours of community service or additional fine, DUI school (12-21 hours), and vehicle impoundment for 10 days. Administrative license suspension begins at arrest if BAC was 0.08% or higher or you refused testing. You have 10 days to request a formal review hearing with the DMV.
Q: Does Miami-Dade County have pretrial diversion or drug court programs?
A: Yes. Miami-Dade offers several alternatives to traditional prosecution. Miami-Dade County Pre-Trial Intervention (PTI) Program through the State Attorney’s Office is available for certain first-time non-violent offenders, leading to charge dismissal upon completion. Miami-Dade Drug Court is one of the nation’s oldest, providing treatment-based supervision for eligible defendants with substance abuse issues. Mental Health Court serves defendants with serious mental illness. Veterans Treatment Court is available for eligible veterans. Felony Domestic Violence Court handles domestic cases with intervention components. Young Adult Offender Program addresses defendants aged 18-25. Eligibility varies by program and depends on the nature of charges, criminal history, victim input, and prosecutor approval. Successful completion typically results in charge dismissal or reduced sentencing.
Q: Can I get my criminal record sealed or expunged in Florida?
A: Florida allows either sealing or expungement, but eligibility is highly restricted. For expungement (complete destruction of records), you must have had charges dismissed, result in nolle prosequi (not prosecuted), or acquittal, and never had adjudication of guilt for any criminal offense, and never previously had a record sealed or expunged. For sealing (records removed from public view but retained by FDLE), you must have had adjudication withheld (no conviction), and meet the same prior record requirements as expungement. Certain offenses are never eligible, including: sexual offenses, domestic violence, child abuse, arson, aggravated assault or battery, kidnapping, robbery, stalking, carjacking, and human trafficking. The process requires obtaining a Certificate of Eligibility from FDLE (Florida Department of Law Enforcement) before petitioning the court. Only one sealing or expungement is permitted per lifetime. Waiting periods apply: typically 10 years after completing sentence for expungement eligibility.