Criminal Defense Attorneys for Broward County, FL

As one of the most populous counties in the State of Florida, Broward County has a population of more than 1.8 million people. Covering more than 1,197 square miles in South Florida, several law enforcement agencies in the county conduct criminal investigations and make arrests for felony and misdemeanor violations of state law. These crimes are prosecuted in the courthouses in the county seat of Fort Lauderdale.

In addition to the main courthouse in Fort Lauderdale, criminal cases are also heard at satellite courthouses in Deerfield Beach, Hollywood and Plantation, FL.

The criminal defense attorneys at McLaughlin Morris Law, P.A. are experienced in fighting cases throughout Broward County and the greater Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach metropolitan area of South Florida. The attorneys at McLaughlin Morris Law, P.A. represent clients throughout Broward County including the cities of Fort Lauderdale, Deerfield, Hollywood, Plantation, Pompano Beach, North Lauderdale, Lauderhill, West Park, Dania Beach, Southwest Ranches, Dania Beach, Parkland, Davie, Coconut Creek, Oakland Park, Coral Springs, Cooper City, and Sunrise.

Whether you are under investigation or charged with a crime, call (561) 234-4874 today to speak with an experienced criminal defense attorney at McLaughlin Morris Law, P.A.. Call us to talk about the facts of your case and possible defenses you can use to fight the charges.

Types of Felony Cases in Broward County, FL

In Broward County, all felony cases are heard in the Circuit Criminal Divisions. Under Florida law, felony offenses are defined as crimes that are punishable by at least one year in Florida State Prison. Felony offenses prosecuted in Broward County, include: sexually motivated offenses, robbery, burglary, theft, forgery, fraud, crimes against person, crimes against property, possession of a controlled substance and other drug crimes.

Several specialized divisions exist in Circuit Court for felony cases including drug court, career criminal / habitual offender section, and mental health court. The courts have also created a Veterans Treatment Intervention Court Program.

Felony Investigations by the Broward County Sheriff’s Office

In Broward County, many serious felony offenses are investigated by the Major Crimes Section of the Broward County Sheriff’s Office. The Major Crimes Section has three divisions including the Special Victims Unit, the Economic Crimes Unit, and the Robbery Unit. Additionally, many local law enforcement agencies and local police departments throughout the country also investigate serious felony offenses.

Florida law provides for enhanced penalties when crimes are committed against the most vulnerable in our society including elderly people, disabled adults and children. Those criminal offenses can include:

Child abuse;
Abuse of the elderly or disabled;
Financial exploitation of the elderly or disabled;
Sexually motivated crimes; and
Domestic or dating violence.

In Broward County, economic crimes are investigated by the Broward County Sheriff’s Office economic crimes unit which is a division of the Major Crimes Unit. Economic crimes including:

Identity theft;
Fraud;
Credit card fraud;
Homeowners and mortgage fraud;
Healthcare fraud;
Embezzlement;
Cybercrime;
Computer related crimes;
Contractor licensing fraud;
Money Laundering;
Forgery and Counterfeit documents; and
Other money related offenses.

The robbery unit of the Broward County Sheriff’s Office investigates crimes involving armed robbery. This specialized unit is a division of the Major Crimes Section. Other units in the Major Crimes Section include the Economic Crimes Unit and the Special Victims Unit.

Misdemeanor Cases in Broward County, FL

The Criminal Division of County Court has justification over all traffic cases and misdemeanor criminal cases. Under Florida law, misdemeanors are defined as criminal acts which carry a penalty of up to one year in the county jail. Misdemeanors are classified as either a first degree misdemeanor or a second degree misdemeanor.

In Broward County, misdemeanor cases are heard in different courtrooms in the courthouse in Fort Lauderdale, and at the satellite divisions for the North Satellite Division, the West Satellite Division, and the South Satellite Division.

Additional Resources

Criminal Case Search in Broward County, FL – Visit the website for the Broward County Clerk of Court in the 17th Judicial Circuit to conduct a criminal case search online. Search public cases for any felony, traffic or misdemeanor case by party name, business name, or organization name. Select a case type including a 1st Degree Felony, 2nd Degree Felony, 3rd Degree felony, Arrest Warrant, Arrest Warrant Misdemeanor, Capital Homicide, Capital Life, Capital Sex Felony, Career Criminal Felony, Contempt of Court, County Ordinance, Domestic Violence, Domestic Violence, Drug Court, Felony, Mental Health Court Felony, Misdemeanor, Municipal Ordinance, Other Infractions, Search Warrant, Search Warrant Misdemeanor, Traffic Criminal, Traffic Infraction Mandatory, Traffic Infractions or Writ.

Office of the State Attorney for the 17th Judicial Circuit in Broward County, FL – Visit the website for the State Attorney’s Office, Michael J. Satz, for the 17th Judicial Circuit in Broward County, FL. The job of the State Attorney is to seek the just determination of all criminal matters that are presented to the State Attorney. Learn more about criminal investigations conducted by the State Attorney’s Office during the 21 days after the arrest but before any formal criminal charges are filed in felony cases.

Broward Sheriff’s Office Economic Crimes Unit – Visit the website of the Sheriff’s Office of Broward County, Sheriff Scott Israel, to learn more about the agency’s Economic Crimes Unit (ECU). The ECU is one of 20 different specialized units. These specialized unites a have specially-trained deputies and are designed to provide maximum response efficiency in a variety of circumstances. CU handles complaints about check fraud, credit card fraud, identity theft, check forgery, counterfeit documents, computer-related crimes, contractor licensing fraud, business opportunity fraud, homeowners fraud, mortgage fraud, and other money-related offenses.

Contractor and Licensing Fraud Unit of the Broward Sheriff’s Office – Find out more about a specialized unit of the Sheriff’s Office in Broward County called the Contractor Licensing and Fraud Unit. Read more about contractor licensing and fraud in Broward County, FL

Finding a Criminal Defense Lawyer for Broward County, FL

If you are under investigation, charged with a crime, have an active warrant, or are awaiting extradition back to Broward County, FL, then contact an experienced criminal defense attorney at McLaughlin Morris Law, P.A..

Our attorneys represent clients arrested throughout Fort Lauderdale and the surrounding cities in Broward County including: Hollywood, Deerfield Beach, Plantation, North Lauderdale, Parkland, Davie, Sunrise, Cooper City, Coral Springs, Oakland Park, Coconut Creek, West Park, Southwest Ranches, Dania Beach, Pompano Beach, Lauderhill, and Dania Beach.

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Our Client Testimonials

“Their rich experience in law and excellent customer service made this incredibly difficult case an easy one to digest. We won thanks to him, and been compensated where I can tend to my medical conditions with financial ease.”
- James D.
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