2026 Criminal Law Update. Live (in person only) during the Annual Florida Bar Convention in the Floridian Ballroom J, Hilton Bonnet Creek Convention Center. Register through The Florida Bar Convention.

Schedule and Presenters

9–9:05 a.m.
Welcome
Judge Tatiana R. Salvador
2025–2026 Chair, Florida Bar Criminal Law Section
Circuit Judge, 4th Judicial Circuit, Jacksonville

9:05–9:10
Introduction
Michael R. Ufferman, Program Co-Chair
Florida Bar Board Certified in Criminal Appellate Law
Michael R. Ufferman Law Firm, P.A., Tallahassee

9:10–10 a.m.
Crimmigration Update: Part 1: Recent Developments at the Intersection of Immigration and Criminal Law
Linda M. Osberg-Braun
Florida Bar Board Certified in Immigration and Nationality Law
Osberg-Braun Immigration, Miami

10–10:15 a.m.
Feature Presentation: Justice on Justice—The View From the Bench
Hon. Jorge Labarga
Justice, Florida Supreme Court, Tallahassee

10:15–10:30 a.m.
Break

10:30–11:20 a.m.
Case Law Update: Maintaining Legal Excellence—Pretrial, Trial and Appeal
Michael R. Ufferman

11:20 a.m.–Noon
Spotlight Presentation: States of Our Criminal Justice System—Overviews From the Bench and Bar—A Moderated Discussion

Panelists:

• Hon. D. Melissa Distler, Chair-Elect, Florida Conference of County Judges, County Judge, Seventh Judicial Circuit, Bunnell
• Hon. Lisa T. Munyon, Chair, Florida Conference of Circuit Judges, Chief Circuit Judge, Ninth Judicial Circuit, Orlando
• Melissa E. Vickers, Representing the Florida Public Defenders Association, Florida Bar Board Certified in Criminal Trial Law, Public Defender, Ninth Judicial Circuit, Orlando

Moderator:

H. Scott Fingerhut, Program Co-Chair
CLE Chair, Florida Bar Criminal Law Section
H. Scott Fingerhut, P.A., Miami

Noon–1 p.m.
Lunch (To Be Provided)

1–1:30 p.m.
Keynote Address: The Lawyer’s Role in American Democracy
Hon. Peggy Ann Quince, Florida Supreme Court Justice (ret.), Tampa

1:30–1:45 p.m.
Break

1:45–2:35 p.m.
DUI and Related Vehicular Offenses Update
Flem K. Whited III
Whited Law Firm, Ormond Beach

2:35–3:25 p.m.
Crimmigration Update: Part 2: Consequences of Criminal Prosecution of Foreign-Born Defendants
Linda M. Osberg-Braun

3:25–3:40 p.m.
Break

3:40–4:30 p.m.
Legal Technology Update: Maintaining Legal Competence—AI and You (bench and bar): We Can (Must?) Do This—Let’s Go!
Adam D. Rossen
Rossen Law Firm, Fort Lauderdale

4:30–4:50 p.m.
Legislative Update: New Laws Are Coming
H. Scott Fingerhut

4:50–4:55 p.m.
Conclusion
H. Scott Fingerhut