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2024

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Best Criminal Defense Attorneys in Fort Lauderdale

Our Recommended Top 18

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Our goal is to connect people with the best local professionals. We scored Fort Lauderdale Criminal Defense Attorneys on more than 25 variables across five categories, and analyzed the results to give you a hand-picked list of the best.

150Reviewed

97Curated

18Top Picks

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Providers

featured provider = Featured Provider

633 SE 3rd Ave Suite 4F, Unit 405, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
Website

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
5.0 (134)
Avvo
5.0 (117)
Yelp
5.0 (3)

Why choose this provider?

Musca Law is a legal practice that offers criminal defense representation from its multiple locations across the state of Florida, including Fort Lauderdale. Its team of lawyers aggressively defends clients against a wide variety of charges, including DUI, federal crimes, juvenile crimes, sex crimes, and violent crimes. The firm provides dedicated criminal defense that includes attention to detail, focus on the strengths of each client’s case, and exploitation of the weaknesses in the prosecution’s case.

  • Traffic Offenses
  • DUI with Manslaughter
  • Weapon Crimes
  • Violent Crimes
  • Lewd or Lascivious Molestation
  • Obstructing Justice
  • Boating Under the Influence
  • Concealed Weapons
  • Domestic Violence
  • Federal Crimes

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Jonathan Dingus - Senior AttorneyActive35 yrs
Derrick Smith - Senior AttorneyActive30 yrs
John Musca - PartnerActive25 yrs

1 East Broward Blvd. Suite 700, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
Website

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
5.0 (107)
Facebook
4.9 (58)
Avvo
5.0 (2)

Why choose this provider?

Meldon Law Firm is a criminal defense law firm in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, dedicated to preserving the rights of the accused. With six decades of DUI defense experience, attorneys Jeffrey Meldon and Carey Meldon have made DUI defense a concentration of their practice, and have regularly taught DUI defense strategies to other attorneys throughout Florida.

  • Sex Crimes
  • Weapon Crimes
  • Theft Crimes
  • Expungement
  • Domestic Violence

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Jeffrey Meldon - FounderActive53 yrs

2202 N West Shore Blvd Ste 200, Tampa, FL 33607
Website

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
5.0 (41)
Facebook
4.2 (17)
Yelp
5.0 (1)

Why choose this provider?

Joffe Law is a criminal defense practice that serves residents in Fort Lauderdale and nearby areas. Its legal team, which includes an in-house investigatory staff, works to protect the rights of individuals arrested for drug and sex crimes. The professionals also build a defense for clients facing international criminal charges, whether arms trafficking, public corruption, or money laundering. In addition, they assist clients seeking to file motions for post-conviction relief. Joffe Law has served as defense in over 1,200 federal cases. It is headed by David Joffe, who has more than three decades of experience.

  • Domestic Violence
  • DWI/DUI
  • Drug Crimes

200 SE 9th St, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Avvo
5.0 (180)
Google
4.8 (126)
FindLaw
5.0 (29)

Why choose this provider?

The Law Offices Of Robert David Malove represent clients facing DUI, domestic violence, health care fraud, drug and federal crime charges. Based in Fort Lauderdale, the firm’s attorney Robert Malove has years of experience handling a multitude of cases ranging from petty crimes to serious criminal offenses, and has made a name for himself as an aggressive litigator. He is also certified by Florida Bar as a criminal law expert and is rated as an AV preeminent lawyer by Martindale-Hubble.

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Robert Malove - PrincipalActive40 yrs

888 South Andrews Ave, Suite 205, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

FindLaw
5.0 (278)
Avvo
4.9 (43)
Yelp
5.0 (4)

Why choose this provider?

Kenneth Padowitz PA is a criminal defense law firm serving the people of Fort Lauderdale and the surrounding area. The firm's attorneys represent clients during all aspects of the legal process, beginning with the arrest and continuing through post-conviction appeals. This team of criminal lawyers in Fort Lauderdale takes cases pertaining to serious felonies and misdemeanors, such as drug possession and distribution, driving while intoxicated or with a suspended license, theft and robbery, and homicide. The team also performs expungements on clients' arrest and conviction records. Founding attorney Kenneth Padowitz is a member of the National Trial Lawyers' Top 100 Lawyers.

  • Drug Crimes
  • Domestic Violence
  • Arraignment

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Kenneth Padowitz - PrincipalActive38 yrs

6400 North Andrews Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33309

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
5.0 (191)
Avvo
5.0 (184)
Facebook
4.8 (25)

Why choose this provider?

Rossen Law Firm is a criminal defense law firm with offices in Fort Lauderdale, Boca Raton, and Sunrise. It advocates for clients' best interests when individuals have been charged with crimes, including drug, sex, and property charges. The firm's motto is to assist good people when bad things happen, and founding attorney Adam Rossen and his team work vigorously to obtain reduced fines and charges or dismissals through negotiations or in court. Additionally, the firm handles home insurance claims.

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Adam Rossen - Founder & CEOActive18 yrs
Adam Rossen - Founder & Lead AttorneyActive18 yrs
Manny Serra-Jovenich - PartnerActive10 yrs
David Tarras - PartnerActive8 yrs

110 Southeast 6th Street, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
5.0 (129)
Avvo
5.0 (78)

Why choose this provider?

The Law Office of Matthew Konecky PA has over a decade of experience handling felony and misdemeanor criminal cases in Fort Lauderdale and surrounding areas. It defends clients charged with possession of controlled substances, including marijuana, opioids, steroids, prescription drugs, and stimulants. The firm takes on domestic violence cases involving aggravated assault, stalking, kidnapping, and false imprisonment. The firm also helps people accused of property crimes, such as shoplifting and car theft.

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Matthew Konecky - Founder and PrincipalActive22 yrs
Matthew Konecky - Founder and PrincipalActive22 yrs

12 Southeast 7th Street, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Yelp
4.5 (10)

Why choose this provider?

Hager & Schwartz PA is a full-service criminal defense firm serving clients in the Fort Lauderdale area. Founding attorneys John Hager and Brett Schwartz are both former prosecutors and use their experiences to defend clients charged with criminal offenses, including assault, drug, battery, and murder charges. The firm represents both juveniles and adults with state and federal charges and aggressively negotiates to achieve dismissed, reduced, or alternative charges. Other practice areas include DUI defense and Internet crimes.

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Brett Schwartz - FounderActive26 yrs
John Hager - Founding PartnerActive25 yrs

110 Southeast 6th Street, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Avvo
5.0 (35)
Facebook
5.0 (32)

Why choose this provider?

Meltzer & Bell PA is a criminal defense law firm offering legal representation to those facing drug possession, reckless driving, DUI, and petit theft charges. The criminal lawyers in Fort Lauderdale help minors facing criminal allegations such as possession of alcohol and sex offenses in getting acquittals. Other criminal cases the attorneys handle include firearm possession and domestic violence as well as economic crimes such as money laundering and tax evasion.

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Ari Goldberg - PartnerActive12 yrs
Stephan Dobrinsky - Senior AssociateActive10 yrs
David Goudreau - AssociateActive12 yrs
Lawrence Meltzer - PartnerActive24 yrs
Steven Bell - PartnerActive20 yrs

208 SE 6th Street, Suite 1, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.9 (28)
Facebook
5.0 (21)
Avvo
5.0 (3)

Why choose this provider?

Bruno & Schoenthal is a Fort Lauderdale-based firm that strives to preserve the rights and freedom of individuals facing criminal prosecution. It handles various cases, including white-collar crimes, RICO violations, drug and firearm offenses, assault and battery, sexual violence, and homicide. Anthony Bruno, one of the attorneys, began his criminal defense career at the age of 19. He is a five-time recipient of the “Hat Trick” Award, given to those who obtained three consecutive jury acquittals by the Broward Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.

  • Drug Crimes
  • Domestic Violence

6400 N Andrews Ave #505, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33309
Website

Expertise.com Rating

Why choose this provider?

Michael B. Cohen Law Firm provides legal solutions to Fort Lauderdale metro residents. It dedicates its practice to criminal law and represents clients in related issues like domestic violence and business crimes, environmental and international criminal law, felonies and misdemeanors, and immigration with criminal implications. The firm's namesake principal lawyer and former Florida prosecutor, Michael Cohen, draws from over 30 years of experience in the industry to analyze each case and develop strategies that help minimize the consequences for each client.

  • Drug Crimes
  • Domestic Violence

533 NE 3rd Avenue - Suite 2, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
Website

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.4 (44)
Avvo
4.6 (43)
Yelp
2.9 (15)

Why choose this provider?

The Law Offices of Steve Rossi, P.A., represents clients in Fort Lauderdale who are dealing with criminal charges. Its principal attorney, Steve Rossi, specializes in criminal trial law and accepts cases ranging from municipal, city, and county ordinance violations to felony charges. He handles domestic violence, drug and sexual offenses, probation violations, restraining orders, and DUI cases. Rossi is a former prosecutor and FBI agent and has been in the industry for more than 30 years.

  • Theft & Burglary
  • Drug Crimes
  • Domestic Violence

3313 W Commercial Blvd ​​​​​​​Suite 190, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33309

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.7 (62)
Avvo
5.0 (54)
Facebook
5.0 (16)

Why choose this provider?

The Sofia Law Firm works with clients facing criminal charges and immigration issues. Its attorneys represent defendants of felony and misdemeanor cases by reviewing their situation and helping them avoid missteps that could land them in jail for a long time. They work with immigrants with criminal offenses, educating them on how their charges affect their immigration status. The firm has been serving the Fort Lauderdale community for over a decade and has helped hundreds of clients navigate the complex legal system.

  • Expungement
  • DWI/DUI

116 SE 6th Ct, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
5.0 (45)

Why choose this provider?

Parks & Braxton, PA, represents clients throughout the Fort Lauderdale community and the neighboring cities. It guides individuals arrested or accused of criminal charges related to domestic violence, driving under the influence, assault and battery, murder, and manslaughter. It also handles white-collar crimes, including embezzlement, mortgage fraud, counterfeiting, tax evasion, and identity theft. One of its partners, Michael Braxton, served as an assistant public defender. With over 20 years of legal experience, Braxton has tried more than 150 criminal jury trials.

  • Federal Crime
  • DWI/DUI

612 SE 5th Avenue Suite 4, Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33301

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.5 (25)
Avvo
5.0 (5)

Why choose this provider?

Stephen Melnick PA serves clients in and around the Fort Lauderdale metro. It helps individuals who have been charged with crimes by offering legal advice and representation. It deals with cases such as armed robbery, domestic violence, DUI, sexual battery, and theft. Its team also assists those who have been accused of committing drug and traffic crimes. Stephen Melnick brings more than 30 years of legal experience. He holds a bachelor's degree in History and Political Science and a master's in Criminal Justice.

  • Drug Crimes
  • Domestic Violence
  • DWI/DUI

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Stephen Melnick - PrincipalActive35 yrs

200 South Andrews Avenue,, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
5.0 (47)

Why choose this provider?

The Law Offices of David J. Gillis provides legal counsel and representation to people who are under investigation or have been charged with crimes. It serves Fort Lauderdale and the nearby areas, handling cases from first appearance and administrative hearings to post-trial procedures and appeals. Gillis has been in practice since 2009 and also handles civil litigation and personal injury. He also served as an assistant public defender in the Twentieth Judicial Circuit Office of the Public Defender.

  • Drug Crimes

110 S.E. 6th Street, Suite 1700, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.7 (12)
Avvo
4.9 (12)

Why choose this provider?

Anise Criminal Defense works with clients in Fort Lauderdale and its surrounding areas. It advocates for individuals accused of different misdemeanors and felonies, including DUI, domestic violence, and drug offenses. Anthony F. Anise, the firm's principal attorney, uses the law to cast doubt on the validity of evidence and helps defendants get their cases dismissed. He is a former public defender and has received the Hat Trick award from the Broward Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.

  • Drug Crimes
  • Domestic Violence
  • DWI/DUI

888 South Andrews Ave., Ste 203, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
5.0 (36)
Facebook
4.8 (29)
Avvo
5.0 (18)

Why choose this provider?

The Salazar Law Firm fights for the rights of defendants in Fort Lauderdale. It litigates various types of criminal cases, including drug trafficking, trespassing, false identification and imprisonment, forgery, aggravated assault, and battery. The legal office also offers counsel to clients facing charges for child abuse, murder, sex, and drug crimes. It helps offenders create defense strategies to resolve or drop mandatory penalties, including probation, fines, and jail time. Founder Michael Salazar Jr. is a member of the Broward County Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.

Disclaimer:  Consumers utilizing Expertise.com are free to communicate and contract with any lawyer they choose. Expertise.com is not involved in the confidential attorney-client relationship. Featured lawyers pay a reasonable advertising cost to market their legal services with Expertise.com and must meet similar selection criteria as other lawyers. All cases are different. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

FAQs

  • What is the non-emergency contact number for the local police station in Fort Lauderdale, Florida?

    The non-emergency contact number for the local police station in Fort Lauderdale is (954) 764-4357.

  • What are the consequences if you have a criminal record in Fort Lauderdale?

    A criminal conviction can have an impact on your life even after you have served your time and paid your fines. Criminal records may jeopardize your career prospects, child custody battle, mortgage and loan approval, government funding for returning to school, and your job, as well as deportation or US citizenship for immigrants.

  • What are the mandatory minimum sentences under federal law if you commit a crime in Fort Lauderdale?

    Federal crimes have mandatory minimum sentences.

    • 10 years for first-time possession with intent to distribute one kilogram or more of heroin, cocaine, or marijuana
    • A five-year prison sentence is imposed for first-time possession with intent to distribute heroin, cocaine, or marijuana.
    • 20 years for death or major harm, including overdose,
    • Life in prison for a second murder/injury
    • One year for drug distribution near school
    • One year for knowingly using a minor in narcotics
    • 15 years for explicit behavior with a minor for visual depiction.
  • How can you be accused of assault with a deadly weapon in Fort Lauderdale?

    If you threaten someone with a dangerous weapon in Fort Lauderdale, you might be prosecuted for assault with a deadly weapon. As with any crime, the prosecution must prove guilt. The prosecutor must prove the following:

    • Your state of mind at the time of the crime
    • How likely you are to carry out the threat
    • You made the alleged victim afraid.
    • You had a weapon that could kill you at the time of the crime.
  • What happens after someone has been arrested for a crime in Fort Lauderdale?

    The Fort Lauderdale Police Department typically transports suspects to the county jail for processing. The suspect's information is entered into a computer system, which searches for outstanding warrants and criminal history. Instead of incarceration, a misdemeanor arrest may result in a summons. The defendant would be processed here after being apprehended for a crime. Depending on the charges, the suspect may be released on bail or ordered to appear in court the next morning.

  • What charges could you face if you were arrested following a bar fight in Fort Lauderdale?

    The most common charges are disorderly conduct, disorderly intoxication, assault, battery, aggravated battery, voluntary manslaughter, and involuntary manslaughter. A fight in a bar may seem insignificant, but depending on what you do, you could be charged with a misdemeanor or even a felony. If you were involved in a bar fight in Florida, you should contact an experienced criminal defense attorney as soon as possible to limit the damage.