2021-07-23 12:00 - 16:00 (America/New_York) | GoToWebinar, FL, United States
MISDEMEANOR MADNESS: How to Better Navigate Florida County Court (Part I)
The Criminal Law Section of the Florida Bar is excited to announce MISDEMEANOR MADNESS: a first-of-its-kind seminar dedicated to the “trials and tribulations” of county court. Don’t miss this TWO-DAY VIRTUAL CLE and learn from some of Florida’s most accomplished lawyers and judges, as they offer expert insight on how to successfully prosecute and defend your misdemeanor cases. Topics to be covered include misdemeanor impact on driver licenses and other professional licensure, the immigration consequences resulting from misdemeanor convictions, unique sentencing schemes of certain “lesser” crimes, along with perspectives, procedural tips, and other practical strategies from county court pros. Misdemeanor Madness offers something for lawyers of all experience levels.
REGISTER
Friday, July 23, 2021
12:00pm – 4:00pm
TOPICS & SPEAKERS
12:00pm – 12:05pm
Welcome
L. Lee Lockett
Lockett Law, Jacksonville Beach
Program Chair
12:05pm – 12:55pm
Misdemeanor Charges Won’t Affect My Livelihood, Right?
Thomas Albert (“Tad”) Delegal III
Delegal and Poindexter, P.A., Jacksonville
12:55pm – 1:45pm
Immigration and Deportation Consequences: Misdemeanors Count, Too!
Maggie Arias
Arias & Pereira, Coral Gables
1:45pm – 1:55pm
Break
1:55pm – 2:45pm
The Daily Grind: Pitfalls to Avoid in County Court
Richard T. Clausi Jr.
Office of the State Attorney, 15th Judicial Circuit, West Palm Beach
2:45pm – 4:00pm
Ethics, Civility, Professionalism, and Beyond: A Conversation with County Court Judges About What They’d Like You to Know
Moderator:
L. Lee Lockett
Lockett Law, Jacksonville Beach
Panelists:
Hon. Tina L. Caraballo
County Court Judge, 9th Judicial Circuit, Orlando
Hon. Robin W. Faber
County Court Judge, 11th Judicial Circuit, Miami
Hon. Rhonda D. Peoples-Waters
County Court Judge, 4th Judicial Circuit, Duval
4:00pm
Program Close
L. Lee Lockett
Lockett Law, Jacksonville Beach

2021-08-13 12:00 - 16:00 | GoToWebinar, FL, United States
MISDEMEANOR MADNESS: How to Better Navigate Florida County Court (Part II)
The Criminal Law Section of the Florida Bar is excited to announce MISDEMEANOR MADNESS: a first-of-its-kind seminar dedicated to the “trials and tribulations” of county court. Don’t miss this TWO-DAY VIRTUAL CLE and learn from some of Florida’s most accomplished lawyers and judges, as they offer expert insight on how to successfully prosecute and defend your misdemeanor cases. Topics to be covered include misdemeanor impact on driver licenses and other professional licensure, the immigration consequences resulting from misdemeanor convictions, unique sentencing schemes of certain “lesser” crimes, along with perspectives, procedural tips, and other practical strategies from county court pros. Misdemeanor Madness offers something for lawyers of all experience levels.
REGISTER
Friday, August 13, 2021
12:00pm – 4:00pm
TOPICS & SPEAKERS
12:00pm – 12:05pm
Welcome
L. Lee Lockett
Lockett Law, Jacksonville Beach
Program Chair
12:05pm – 12:55pm
You Can’t Cancel My License, It’s Already Suspended!: DMV to the Rescue to Sort Out Confusion Over Misdemeanors and their Impact on Driving
Mark L. Mason
Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, Tallahassee
12:55pm – 1;45pm
A Primer on Sentencing Schemes in County Court
AnneMarie R. Rizzo
The Law Place, Sarasota
1:45pm – 1:55pm
Break
1:55pm – 2:45p
The ABCs of Managing a Misdemeanor Caseload
Tricia Rado Rover
Office of the Public Defender, 4th Judicial Circuit, Jacksonville
2:45pm – 4:00pm
County Court Appeals: New Rules, Ethics, Record Preservation, Practice Tips, and More
Michael R. Ufferman
Michael Ufferman Law Firm, P.A., Tallahassee

4:00pm
Program Close
L. Lee Lockett
Lockett Law, Jacksonville Beach
Program Chair

2021-10-13 08:00 - 17:00 | FL
Criminal Law Update 2022—April 8, 2022
Details coming soon.

2021-12-10 09:00 - 17:00 | GoToWebinar, FL, United States
Modern Trends in State and Federal Health Care Prosecutions—December 10, 2021—Live Webcast (90-day, on-demand access for registrants). Course 5641 is approved for 8.0 General CLE credits; 8.0 each certification program credits in Appellate Practice, Criminal Appellate, Criminal Trial Law, Health Law and Juvenile Law. Course Classification—Advanced. This second iteration of this informative program will continue to review the most current law enforcement trends and best practices in federal and state healthcare prosecutions. Our presenters, all expert practitioners in this field, will update attendees on today’s healthcare fraud and kickback cases, as well as focus on how to develop winning litigation strategies, from the pretrial motion stage to executing trial skills to your advantage to achieving greater success at sentencing. Prosecution and defense alike will gain important insight and benefit from this event. REGISTER
8:30 AM – 9:00 AM
Registration
9:00 AM – 9:15 AM
Welcome
Marissel Descalzo, Program Chair, Miami
9:15 AM – 10:30 AM
Hot Topics in Healthcare Prosecutions: Current Enforcement Initiatives and Best Practices
Elizabeth D. Shaw, Ponte Vedra Beach
Ryan K. Stumphauzer, Miami
10:30 AM – 10:45 AM
Break
10:45 AM – 12:00 PM
Why Pretrial Motions are Important to Winning a Healthcare Fraud Case
Marissel Descalzo, Miami
Tama B. Kudman, West Palm Beach
12:00 PM – 12:45 PM
Lunch Provided
12:45 PM – 2:15 PM
Maximizing Effectiveness in State and Federal Healthcare Sentencing Proceedings
Simon A. Gaugash, Tampa
Kevin J. Napper, Tampa
2:15 PM – 2:30 PM
Break
2:30 PM – 3:30 PM
Lessons from the Trenches: Better Trial Practice in Healthcare Cases, Pandemic Included
Michael E. Dutko, Sr., Fort Lauderdale
3:30 PM – 5:00 PM
Litigation Strategies in Healthcare Fraud and Kickback Prosecutions
Panel: John C. Beroset, Pensacola; Andrew S. Feldman, Miami; Vanessa S. Johannes Miami

2022-02-25 12:15 - 13:45 | FL
(5731) The ABCs of Expert Witness Depositions—Feb. 25, 2022, 12:15 PM – 1:45 PM, Live GoToWebinar. Part 4 of the Experts on Advocacy: Building and Using a Deposition Notebook CLE Series. Approved for 2 General CLE credits and 2 certification credits each in Juvenile Law, Appellate Practice, Criminal Appellate and Criminal Trial. Criminal Law Section members register for only $50.
Experts on Advocacy is a CLE series presented by the Criminal Law Section bringing together today’s best strategic thinkers and compelling courtroom advocates to offer you effective ideas and creative insights for improving litigation results at all stages of criminal court proceedings.
We are privileged to have veteran trial lawyer Ed Page return with this fourth installment of his Deposition Notebook series—the ABCs of expert witness depositions and how to take them to the next level. Once and for all, Ed will take the mystery out of this all-important part of the discovery process by employing his tried and true principles and techniques, including:

The T-Funnel approach to learn, confirm, tie down, and test facts and expert opinions
How to craft and manage your lists of bad case facts and good case facts
How to learn and apply the four levels of advocacy in criminal cases
How to build and use a deposition notebook

Participants in this program will receive the complete, 36-topic index from the Ed Page Deposition Notebook, including all the materials you will need to take your best expert witness depositions. REGISTER

2022-04-08 09:00 - 16:30 | FIU College of Law, 11200 SW 8th St., Miami, FL, 33199
Please join us—on the beautiful FIU Law campus in Miami, or by video webcast—for the 2022 Criminal Law Update, featuring our very special guest, Justice Peggy A. Quince, who will speak on threats to the independence, fairness, and impartiality of Florida’s judiciary.
Course 5623 credits: 1 Bias Elimination, 7 Juvenile Law, 1 Technology, 7 General, 7 Appellate Practice, 7 Criminal Appellate, 7 Criminal Trial. Section members register for only $250 (live webcast) or $200 (in person).
This year’s program also presents the latest case law, juvenile sentencing, and immigration updates, a rundown of significant laws recently enacted by the Florida Legislature, and criminal justice perspectives from leaders across the state, including the Florida Conferences of Circuit and County Judges, Florida Prosecuting Attorneys Association, Florida Public Defender Association, Office of Criminal Conflict and Civil Regional Counsel, Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, and our Criminal Law Section. In addition, we are privileged to include in our program a demonstration of the Equity in Sentencing Analysis System (ESAS®)—”the criminal justice equalizer”—a groundbreaking software tool designed to eliminate unjust disparities in sentencing.
9:00 AM – 9:05 AM
Introduction
Professor H. Scott Fingerhut, FIU College of Law and H. Scott Fingerhut, P.A., Miami
9:05 AM – 9:10 AM
Welcome
Antony Page, Dean and FIU Foundation Professor of Law, FIU College of Law, Miami
9:10 AM – 9:20 AM
Message From the Chair
Jason B. Blank, Chair, Criminal Law Section, Haber Blank, LLP, Fort Lauderdale
9:20 AM – 10:10 AM
Florida Case Law Update
Megan Long, Chief, Appellate Division, Law Office of Jessica J. Yeary, Public Defender, 2nd Judicial Circuit, Tallahassee
10:10 AM – 11:00 AM
Juvenile Spotlight: Ten Years After Miller v. Alabama: Case Law Overview and Update
Roseanne Eckert, Board Certified in Criminal Trial, The Eckert Law Firm, Orlando
11:00 AM – 11:15 AM
Break
11:15 AM – 12:30 PM
Spotlight Presentation: Fostering True Justice: The Equity in Sentencing Analysis System (ESAS®): What It Is and How It Works
A. Wellington “Al” Barlow, Technologies for Justice, Jacksonville
12:30 PM – 1:00 PM
Lunch (provided)
1:00 PM – 1:30 PM
Feature Presentation: “Do We Have An Independent, Fair, and Impartial Judiciary?”
Justice Peggy A. Quince, Tampa, Florida Supreme Court (ret.)
1:30 PM – 1:45 PM
Break
1:45 PM – 1:55 PM
Message from the Circuit Bench
Hon. Nicholas Thompson, Chair-Elect, Florida Conference of Circuit Judges, Lee County Circuit Judge, 20th Judicial Circuit, Fort Myers
1:55 PM – 2:05 PM
Message from the County Bench
Hon. Thomas P. Thompson III, President, Conference of County Court Judges of Florida, Marion County Court Judge, 5th Judicial Circuit, Ocala

2:05 PM – 2:15 PM
Message from the State
Garett Berman, Executive Director, Florida Prosecuting Attorneys Association, Tallahassee
2:15 PM – 2:25 PM
Message from the Defense (Public)
Rex Dimmig, President, Florida Public Defender Association, Public Defender, 10th Judicial Circuit, Lakeland
2:25 PM – 2:35 PM
Message from the Defense (Regional Counsel)
Ita M. Neymotin, Regional Conflict Counsel, Second Region of Florida, Fort Myers
2:35 PM – 2:45 PM
Message from the Defense (Private)
Jude M. Faccidomo, President, Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, Ratzan & Faccidomo LLC, Miami
2:45 PM – 3:00 PM
Break
3:00 PM – 3:50 PM
Immigration Update
Linda Osberg-Braun, Board Certified in Immigration and Nationality Law, Osberg-Braun Immigration, Miami
3:50 PM – 4:30 PM
Legislative Update
Professor H. Scott Fingerhut, Miami
4:30 PM – 4:30 PM
Conclusion
Professor H. Scott Fingerhut, Miami

2022-04-13 12:15 - 13:50 | FL
(5759) Practical Concerns—April 13, 2022, 12:15 PM – 1:50 PM, Live GoToWebinar. Part 2 of a two-part series on electronic information in criminal proceedings. CLE Credits: 2 General; 1 Technology. Certification credits: 2 Juvenile Law, 2 Appellate Practice, 2 Criminal Appellate, 2 Criminal Trial. Live GoToWebinar presented by Ronald J. Hedges, Senior Counsel, Dentons US, LLP, New York, New York; and Hon. Milton Hirsch, Miami-Dade Circuit Judge, Miami. Moderated by H. Scott Fingerhut. Registrants have 90-day, on-demand access. REGISTER
*Register for Part 1 and Part 2 of the Electronic Information in Criminal Proceedings Series by March 9 to receive $15 off the total registration fee.*
In Part 2 of this series, our presenters will cover electronic information issues involving discovery, cooperation between prosecution and defense in production and review, evidentiary preservation and spoliation, and the pros and cons of admissibility, including the weight to be given by the trier of fact.
Background on the series: Electronic information of ever-expanding varieties and volumes is, without question, a common feature of criminal investigations and proceedings today. More and more, electronic information is used in the commission of crimes and thus has become the focus of law enforcement investigations, prosecutions, and defense.
As a result, the collection and search of electronic information may implicate the Warrant Requirement of the Fourth Amendment, the Fifth Amendment privilege against self-incrimination, the Sixth Amendment right of confrontation, and their Florida counterparts. In addition, electronic information may raise evidentiary issues of preservation and spoliation, as well as discovery obligations, “cooperation” between prosecution and defense, and, ultimately, admissibility.
In this two-part program, expert lawyers and veteran presenters, Ronald Hedges, former United States Magistrate Judge and now Senior Counsel with Dentons US LLP, and Miami-Dade Circuit Judge Milton Hirsch, will explore timely topics about electronic information and suggest strategies that might be useful to both prosecutors and defense counsel.
Each presentation complements the other. For the busy practitioner who may wish to focus on particular topics, each session can stand alone.

2022-05-05 09:00 - 2022-05-06 16:00 | Floridian Palace Hotel, 905 N Florida Ave., Tampa, FL, 33602, United States
(5586) Masters of DUI 2022—May 5-6, 2022—Live (Tampa) and live webcast.
The 2022 edition of the Criminal Law Section’s Masters of DUI CLE is back in-person—for two days at the lovely Floridan Palace Hotel in Tampa—and promises a comprehensive, cutting-edge look at the prosecution and defense of alcohol- and drug-related vehicular offenses.
Designed for basic, intermediate, and experienced practitioners alike, our Masters of DUI faculty of judges, lawyers, and industry experts are as knowledgeable as they are balanced, presenting you with what you need to know from the perspective of both state and defense. Topics to be addressed include breath and blood testing, pretrial motions, cross-examination, marijuana DUIs, and accident reconstruction. In addition, of particular interest are our presentations on the all-important client interview, the administrative hearing process, writs of certiorari, and how to navigate serious bodily injury and death cases. All of this, and our all-star ethics panel, make the 2022 Masters of DUI a CLE event you won’t want to miss. Join us and register today!
REGISTER for course number 5586:
Course classification: Advanced
CLER Program (max credit: 15.0 hours)
General: 15.0 hours
Ethics: 1.0 hours
Certification Program (max credit: 9.0 hours)
Appellate Practice: 15.0 hours
Criminal Appellate: 15.0 hours
Criminal Trial Law: 15.0 hours
Juvenile Law: 15.0 hours
In-person live event: Register here

Criminal Law section member – $430
Non-section member – $455
Full-time law college faculty/student – $273
Fee waiver – $90** (Requires discount code)

** Must meet qualifications. For more information, email accounting@floridabar.org.
Live Webcast: Register here

Criminal Law section member – $480
Non-section member – $505

Other Formats

Audio CD – Purchase here
Video DVD – Purchase here

Day 1: May 5, 2022
9:00 am – 9:10 am
Welcome
Susan Z. Cohen, Program Co-Chair, Epstein & Robbins, Jacksonville
David M. Robbins, Program Co-Chair, Epstein & Robbins, Jacksonville
9:10 am – 10:00 am
Case Law Update
Tara A. Anderson, Assistant Public Defender, Supervisor of County Court, Sixth Judicial Circuit, Clearwater
10:00 am – 10:50 am
My Client Was in a Crash and Blew a .18. Where Do I Begin? The Client Interview
Susan Z. Cohen, Epstein & Robbins, Jacksonville
10:50 am – 11:05 am
Break
11:05 am – 11:55 am
Good Things Happen When You File Motions
E. Michael Isaak, Isaak Law, PLLC, Tampa
11:55 am – 12:25 pm
Lunch
12:25 pm – 1:15 pm
The Judicial Perspective
Hon. Deborah Carpenter-Toye, 17th Judicial Circuit County Court Judge, Fort Lauderdale
1:15 pm – 2:15 pm
Marijuana DUIs
Ronald L. Moore, Forensic Toxicologist, Impaired Driving Toxicology, Inc., Lake Forest, California
2:15 pm – 2:30 pm
Break
2:30 pm – 3:20 pm
Breath Testing Issues
Robert N. Harrison, Robert N. Harrison, P.A., Venice
3:20 pm – 4:10 pm
The Nitty-Gritty of Accident Reconstruction
Sarah-Anne Blades, Accident Investigator and Traffic Accident Reconstructionist, Owner, Blades Consulting Group, Miami
4:10 pm – 5:00 pm
Ethical Dilemmas in DUI Practice
Moderator: Brian L. Tannebaum, Tannebaum Law, Miami
Panelists:
Stephanie Pizarro, Deputy Chief, State Attorney’s Office, 13th Judicial Circuit, Tampa
Hon. Samantha L. Ward, 13th Judicial Circuit Court Judge, Tampa

5:00 pm
Conclusion
Susan Z. Cohen, Program Co-Chair
David M. Robbins, Program Co-Chair
Day 2: May 6, 2022
9:00 am – 9:10 am
Welcome
Susan Z. Cohen, Program Co-Chair, Epstein & Robbins, Jacksonville
David M. Robbins, Program Co-Chair, Epstein & Robbins, Jacksonville
9:10 am – 10:00 am
Nuts and Bolts of the Administrative Suspension
Susan Z. Cohen, Epstein & Robbins, Jacksonville
David M. Robbins, Epstein & Robbins, Jacksonville
10:00 am – 10:50 am
When the Nuts and Bolts Don’t Prevail: Petitions for Writ of Certiorari
Susan Z. Cohen, Epstein & Robbins, Jacksonville
10:50 am – 11:05 am
Break
11:05 am – 11:55 am
The Administrative Process — Tales From the Other Side
Tom Moffett, Chief Counsel, Florida Department of Highway Safety & Motor Vehicles, Tallahassee
11:55 am – 12:25 pm
Lunch
12:25 pm – 1:15 pm
Blood Testing: What Could Possibly Go Wrong?
Mark Thiessen, Board Certified in Criminal Trial (by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization), Thiessen Law Firm, Houston, Texas
1:15 pm – 2:05 pm
Taking Charge of the Witness During Cross Examination
Keeley Karatinos, Karatinos Law, PLLC, Dade City
2:05 pm – 2:20 pm
Break
2:20 pm – 3:10 pm
Case Evaluation in Serious Bodily Injury and Death Cases
Michael J. Kessler, Board Certified in Criminal Trial Law, Kessler Law Firm, Fort Pierce
3:10 pm – 4:00 pm
Trial Strategies in Serious Bodily Injury and Death Cases — From Both Sides
John G. Kalinowski, Assistant State Attorney, Director of County Court/Traffic Homicide, Fourth Judicial Circuit, Jacksonville
Aaron M. Wayt, Senior Trial Associate, Pumphrey Law, Tallahassee
4:00 pm
Conclusion
Susan Z. Cohen, Program Co-Chair
David M. Robbins, Program Co-Chair

2025-02-24 08:45 - 17:00 | Orange County Bar Association, Orlando, FL, United States
Originally presented on February 24, 2025, live (in person) at the Orange County Bar Association in Orlando. Course number 8788 is approved for: 8 CLE, 2 Technology, and 8 board certification credits each in Appellate Practice, Civil Trial, Criminal Appellate, Criminal Trial, and Juvenile Law. Hosted by The Florida Bar Criminal Law and Trial Lawyers Sections.
This one-day seminar has been designed to appeal to civil, criminal, and appellate practitioners. Those in attendance will benefit from a thorough discussion of the latest developments in Florida evidence law, and an exploration of difficult, recurring evidentiary issues.
Course Level: Advanced. This course’s on-demand, podcast, audio CD, and video DVD products will be available to purchase the week following the in-person seminar.

AGENDA AND PRESENTERS

TIME
SESSION DESCRIPTION

8:45-9:00
Welcome Remarks

9:00-9:50
Application of the Daubert Standard in Florida
Aaron Kelley, Esq. & Patrick Montoya, Esq.
This one-hour session will focus on how Florida criminal and civil courts have applied the Daubert analysis in determining the reliability and relevance of expert witness testimony. The session will be led by seasoned practitioners in civil and criminal courts and will discuss the five “reliability” prongs of the Daubert standard along with strategic approaches for (1) challenging the admissibility of an opposing party’s proposed expert evidence and (2) ensuring your expert’s testimony holds up against a Daubert challenge.

10:00-10:50
Hearsay You Say? On Keeping the Present Sense Impression and Excited Utterance Exceptions
Speaker to be confirmed
This session will delve into exceptions to hearsay— present sense impressions and excited utterances—and the differences between the two exceptions.

11:00-11:50
Unregulated Character Evidence
Speaker to be confirmed
When can character evidence of the defendant can be introduced? When can character evidence of the plaintiff can be introduced? This presentation will dive into pertinent traits of character as defined by section 90.404, Florida Statutes. How does “Williams Rule” evidence come into play?

12:00-1:00
LUNCH PROVIDED ONSITE

12:20-1:00
Admissibility of Remote Testimony and Digital Signatures
Speaker to be confirmed
COVID impacted the legal profession in many ways, but one of the most significant changes is the ability to testify remotely. Requiring courts to permit court proceedings to occur through electronic means allows witnesses to testify without coming to the courthouse. What are the best practices for exchanging exhibits, for ensuring witnesses who are laying the predicate for evidence have a copy of the evidence, ensuring your witness has the necessary technology to be able to participate? Wet ink versus audit trails: this presentation will detail the case law that established the binding nature of digital signatures. Haire v. Fl. Dept. of Agric. and Consumer Servs., 870 So.2d 774 (Fla. 2004); IO Moonwalkers, Inc. v. Banc of Am. Merch. Servs., LLC, 814 S.E.2d 583 (N.C. Ct. App. 2018); Newton v. Am. Debt Servs., 854 F.Supp.2d 712 (N.D. Cal. 2012).

1:00-1:50
Preservation of Evidentiary Errors for Appellate Review
Mihaela Cabulea, Esq. & Michael Ufferman, Esq.
The first thing an appellate court will review is whether the error in question was properly preserved at the trial court level, and unfortunately numerous cases each year are rejected on preservation grounds before the appellate court even reaches the merits of the case. This presentation will provide tips on how to properly preserve claims for appeal. Mihaela Cabulea will discuss what must be done to preserve particular types of claims in civil cases, and Michael Ufferman will discuss what must be done to preserve particular types of claims in criminal cases.

2:00-2:50
Generative AI in Legal Practice
Philip Asher Gold, Esq. & Carlos J. Martinez, Esq.
Presentation will answer the questions “what is generative artificial intelligence” and how does it impact the court system? Lawyers use AI to assist with legal research and contract review. Doctors use AI when creating clinical patient summaries. This presentation will address ethics opinions from the bar, Federal law, evidentiary concerns, and ways in which AI can be helpful to lawyers and the court system.

3:00-3:50
Expert Witness Fees
Speaker to be confirmed
Speaker will discuss the interplay between Rule Regulating The Florida Bar 4-3.4, section 92.231, Florida Statutes, as well as pertinent case law regarding fees for expert witnesses. Can an expert witness be reimbursed for travel time? How about the time needed to prepare to testify?

4:00-4:50
Case Law Update Post-HB 837
Andrew A. Harris, Esq. & Grace Streicher, Esq.
This presentation will discuss the changes that have occurred with the implementation of HB 827, including changes to what medical expenses can be presented to the jury, how letters of protection are now treated, the impact of “unbundling” of CTP codes. The presenters will highlight the changes to the legal practice caused by HB 837.

4:50-5:00
Closing Remarks

2025-03-19 12:00 - 13:00 | Zoom
FREE CLE for Criminal Law Section members: Live Zoom webinar by James Skuthan, Federal Defender’s Office, Middle District Florida. Hosted by Hosted by Alexa Cline, Assistant Statewide Prosecutor, Florida Office of the Attorney General, and Lizzie Vallejo, Assistant Federal Public Defender, Northern District of Florida. Course number 8942 is approved for 1 CLE and 1 certification credit each in Criminal Appellate and Criminal Trial. Non-section members only $30 with section membership. REGISTER
This presentation will provide a basic overview of federal sentencing practice and procedure. The presentation will cover the three aspects of federal sentencing: 1. The statutory maximum and mandatory/minimum sentencing penalties; the federal sentencing guidelines; and the sentencing factors contained in Title 18 U.S.C. s. 3553(a)(1)-(7), otherwise known as the “Booker factors.” We will also walk through a basic sentencing hypothetical, which will incorporate all of the aspects of federal sentencing.

2025-06-26 08:00 - 17:00 | The Boca Raton, 501 E. Camino Real, Boca Raton, 33432
Register through the Annual Florida Bar Convention. Live (in person) only, this essential Criminal Law Update is your key to staying ahead. Gain critical insights on new case law, DUI developments, and the evolving landscape of crimmigration. Be inspired by powerful visions from Supreme Court Justice John Couriel, retired Justice Peggy Quince, and the Honorable Carey Haughwout, retired Palm Beach County Public Defender. Attain new perspectives from our thought-provoking panel discussion on a lawyer’s place in contemporary America. Don’t miss this vital program! Course number 8592 is approved for 8 CLE credits, 2 Ethics; 8 Appellate Practice, 8 Criminal Appellate, and 8 Criminal Trial.

FREE CLE: Criminal Defense – Hanging Out Your Own Shingle
2026-02-26 12:00 - 13:00 | Zoom
Originally presented on February 26, 2026, by Jalen Thompson, Pearl & Thompson Attorneys at Law, Lakeland; Kyle Tursky, Tursky & Kelefas Law, Seminole; Katia L. Wilson, The Law Office of Katia L. Wilson, PLLC, Orlando; and Shireen Brueggeman, Brueggeman Law PLLC, Miami.
Ready to be your own boss? Starting a criminal defense firm requires more than just legal knowledge—it requires a roadmap. Join us for a high-impact, one-hour session featuring three practitioners who took very different paths to private practice. Whether you are currently in government service or a fresh admittee, this webinar provides the “boots on the ground” insight you need to launch successfully.
This live Zoom program was hosted by the Criminal Law Section’s Young Lawyers Committee and was moderated by Kyra Lucas-Millbrook, Office of Criminal Conflict and Civil Regional Counsel, 1st Region, Green Cove Springs. Free CLE for Criminal Law Section members. Course number 9624 is approved for 2 CLE, 2 Criminal Appellate, and 2 Criminal Trial. Log in to the Criminal Law Section’s Member Portal to watch the recording on YouTube.

2026 Criminal Law Update
2026-06-18 09:00 - 16:55 | Signia by Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek, 14100 Bonnet Creek Resort Ln, Orlando, FL, 32821, United States
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

Criminal Law Section Events During Florida Bar Convention
2026-06-18 09:00 - 2026-06-19 14:00 | Hilton Orlando-Bonnet Creek Resort, 14100 Bonnet Creek Resort Ln, Orlando, FL, 23821, United States
Join your friends and colleagues at The Florida Bar Convention in Orlando for meetings, networking receptions, Criminal Law Update, the annual Selig I. Goldin Award Luncheon, and more. Register for Criminal Law Update and the Selig I. Goldin Luncheon through the Convention.

6/18 (9 AM–5 PM): Criminal Law Update CLE–Floridan Ballroom J
6/18 (5 PM–6:30 PM): CLS Reception–Dade
6/19 (8:30–11:30 AM): CLS EC Meeting–Floridian Ballroom J
6/19 (11:30 AM–2 PM): Selig I. Goldin Luncheon–Floridian Ballroom L
