The Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers – Miami Chapter (FACDL-Miami) is a professional organization serving criminal defense attorneys in Miami-Dade County, Florida. Founded in 1963, the Miami Chapter describes itself as one of the largest and most successful bar associations in Miami-Dade County, with a membership that includes experienced private practitioners, public defenders, young attorneys, and other professionals involved in criminal defense.
FACDL-Miami's mission is to preserve the adversarial justice system, maintain and foster independent and capable criminal defense lawyers, and ensure justice and due process for people accused of violating the law. The organization also works to protect constitutional rights, encourage the exchange of legal research and experience among defense attorneys, and educate the public about the role criminal defense lawyers play in the justice system.
FACDL-Miami is an affiliate of the statewide Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (FACDL), the statewide organization devoted exclusively to Florida's criminal defense bar. The statewide association provides education, legislative advocacy, professional resources, and networking opportunities for private defense attorneys, public defenders, regional conflict counsel, law students, and other members of the defense community.
According to the organization's About Us page, FACDL-Miami pursues several goals designed to strengthen criminal defense representation and protect the rights of people accused of crimes. These include:
Providing support to criminal defense attorneys through resources such as amicus briefs, a strike force, and other services intended to improve the quality of criminal defense representation.
Educating the public about the role of criminal defense attorneys in the justice system.
Coordinating with local and national bar associations concerned with criminal justice issues.
Protecting constitutional rights guaranteed by the United States Constitution and Florida Constitution, including the right to counsel.
Encouraging the exchange of legal precedent, research, strategies, and professional experience among criminal defense lawyers.
Protecting the independence and integrity of the criminal defense bar.
Through these activities, FACDL-Miami serves both as a professional association for attorneys and as an advocacy organization focused on ensuring that people accused of crimes receive meaningful legal representation and due process.
FACDL-Miami offers members a variety of educational, professional, and networking resources. According to the organization's membership information, benefits include:
Continuing Legal Education – FACDL-Miami organizes specialized criminal defense seminars designed to help attorneys improve their courtroom skills and remain informed about changes in criminal law and procedure.
Professional Networking – Members can connect with criminal defense attorneys throughout Miami-Dade County and the broader Florida defense community. The organization includes attorneys at different stages of their careers, ranging from new public defenders to longtime private practitioners.
Members-Only Legal Resources – Members receive access to online resources including a motions bank containing state and federal motion templates, expert referrals, court procedure information, training materials, and other practice resources.
State and Federal Court Information – FACDL-Miami provides members with information and resources relevant to local state and federal court practice, including helpful contacts and courtroom Zoom links.
Training Materials – Members can access materials from previous continuing legal education programs and other training sessions, including information used for reporting CLE credit to The Florida Bar.
Events and Professional Recognition – The organization hosts educational programs, networking events, awards programs, and an annual installation gala recognizing members of the Miami criminal defense community.
FACDL-Miami also provides access to a large network of criminal defense attorneys who can exchange information, strategies, referrals, and practical knowledge about criminal practice in South Florida.
FACDL-Miami offers several membership categories depending on an attorney's employment and professional status. Current membership options include:
Assistant Public Defender or Assistant Regional Counsel practicing fewer than five years – Free
Assistant Public Defender or Assistant Regional Counsel – $50 per year
Private Practitioner – $100 per year
Retired or Non-Practicing Attorney – $50 per year
Associate or Affiliate Member – $50 per year
Law Student – Free while enrolled in school
Life Member – $1,500 one-time payment
Associate membership is available to individuals involved in criminal defense who are licensed to practice law in a jurisdiction other than Florida. Affiliate membership is available to non-attorneys whose professional duties are connected to or contribute to the defense of criminal cases.
FACDL-Miami also administers access to the Criminal Justice Information System, or CJIS, for criminal defense attorneys. The organization currently lists an annual CJIS administration fee of $60 for FACDL-Miami members and $100 for non-members.
The Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (FACDL) was founded in 1988 by a small group of criminal defense attorneys who believed Florida needed a unified statewide organization dedicated to protecting the rights of people accused of crimes and supporting the attorneys who represent them. Since then, FACDL has grown into a statewide network of nearly 1,000 members, including private criminal defense lawyers, public defenders, law students, and other professionals connected to criminal defense practice.
Over the years, FACDL has expanded its role through continuing legal education, legislative advocacy, professional networking, and statewide initiatives addressing issues affecting criminal defendants and defense attorneys. Its local chapters, including FACDL-Miami, provide additional resources and advocacy tailored to individual communities. The Miami chapter actually predates the statewide FACDL organization: FACDL-Miami states that it was founded in 1963 and has since developed into one of the larger criminal defense bar associations in Miami-Dade County.
Local organizations such as FACDL-Miami provide criminal defense attorneys with resources that are particularly relevant to practicing in Miami-Dade County's state and federal courts. Through its educational programs, motions bank, professional networking, legal resources, and advocacy efforts, FACDL-Miami gives attorneys an opportunity to exchange knowledge and remain informed about developments affecting criminal defense practice.
Attorneys practicing criminal defense in Miami-Dade County can also participate in the statewide Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. The statewide organization represents nearly 1,000 members and provides additional continuing legal education, legislative advocacy, statewide networking, publications, and professional resources for Florida's criminal defense bar.
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