The Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, Inc. (FACDL), is a not for profit corporation formed in 1988. Since its creation, FACDL has continued to promote excellence in the practice of criminal law and protect the rights of the accused in the state of Florida.
The FACDL is the leading statewide association exclusively serving the comprehensive needs of the criminal defense bar. Criminal defense lawyers in Florida who join FACDL enjoy publications focused on criminal justice issues and discounts on CLE seminars. Members of FACDL's Legislative Affairs Committee promote FACDL's legislative agenda. FACDL also employs a full-time lobbyist in Tallahassee, FL.
FACDL's standing committee for Amicus Curiae (Amicus Committee) files amicus briefs in pending cases that have a potential state-wide impact on the criminal justice system. The Amicus Committee also monitors rule amendments and proposed jury instructions pending in the Florida Supreme Court.
The Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (FACDL) is composed of individual county-level chapters, which are there to assist the FACDL with advancing the criminal defense practice within local operations. The following is a list of county-level affiliate organizations in Florida:
The Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (FACDL) provides a range of services designed to serve its members. Such services include training, networking, resources, and added knowledge. Regular Membership in FACDL is available to private practitioners and public defenders who are members of The Florida Bar, actively engaged in the defense of criminal cases. Regular membership is also available to Federal Public Defenders and Assistant Public Defenders who are members in good standing of another state Bar, and who are actively engaged in the defense of criminal cases in Florida.
The benefits of joining FACDL include:
FACDL recently created an ad hoc COVID-19 committee chaired by FACDL Vice President Jude Faccidomo. The purpose of the committee is to find ways to continue to provide valuable services to the members during the public health crisis. For example, members are receiving access to past seminar CLE materials and webinars on varying topics.
Additionally, FACDL is working on new content geared toward criminal defense issues that arise during a global pandemic. Many of those seminars can be accessed through live Zoom CLEs.
FACDL members can submit nominations for the James T. Miller Annual Meeting Scholarship. The nominations are reviewed and scored by a committee appointed by the FACDL President.
The scholarship honors James T. Miller, a founding member of FACDL and one of the most respected criminal appellate lawyers in the state of Florida.
The scoring for the nominations are based upon the following factors: years of practice in criminal defense with preference given to nominees with 5 years or fewer of practice; significant involvement in criminal defense; and financial need.
This Award consists of a full scholarship to the Annual Meeting which includes registration, lodging, and a $150 per diem for food & beverages during the event.
The James T. Miller Scholar Nomination Form requests information on what percentage of nominee’s practice is criminal defense, whether the nominee Board Certified in Criminal Trial or Criminal Appellate law, when the nominee joined FACDL, and whether the nominee has ever been disciplined by the Florida Bar.
Lawyer Legion maintains a statewide directory of criminal defense lawyers in Florida which includes both FACDL members and non-members amongst a broader directory of Florida attorneys. To help the public find the best choices when searching for a criminal defense attorney, Lawyer Legion recognizes attorneys for their involvement and leadership within the FACDL and other professional associations. This includes recognition for FACDL Past Presidents, Life Members, and FACDL members who have updated their Lawyer Legion profile to include information about their involvement with the FACDL.
Use this directory to find a Florida criminal defense lawyer in your local area. Start by choosing your county from the list below.
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