Criminal Law Section of The Florida Bar

2021-12-10 09:00 - 17:00 (America/New_York) | 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
(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
(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

2025-02-12 12:00 - 13:00 | Zoom
Live Zoom webinar by Alexander J. Gilewicz, Assistant State Attorney, 7th Judicial Circuit. Hosted by Alexa Cline, Assistant Statewide Prosecutor, Florida Office of the Attorney General, and Sarah Morris, Director of Operations, First DCA Office of Criminal Conflict and Civil Regional Counsel. Course number 8891 is approved for 1 CLE, 1 Criminal Appellate, and 1 Criminal Trial. FREE CLE for Criminal Law Section members; non-section members register for only $30, which includes section membership. REGISTER
Are you up to speed on the ins and outs of criminal code scoresheets? If you’re new to handling felony cases in Circuit Court, don’t miss “Guidelines About Guidelines,” useful information and tips for prosecutors and defense attorneys. Seventh Circuit Assistant State Attorney Alexander J. Gilewicz will share insights and best practices.
A criminal code scoresheet is required for all felonies subject to the Criminal Punishment Code. The scoresheet forms are the primary source of key data for the Florida Department of Corrections and the Criminal Justice Estimating Conference—necessitating consistent, unambiguous definitions and uniform accurate scoring procedures.

Alexander J. Gilewicz is an Assistant State Attorney with the 7th Judicial Circuit working in Putnam County. His caseload includes a wide range of felony charges including those punishable by life in prison. Alexander spent eight years in the United States Marine Corps before moving to Florida to attend law school. He graduated from Florida Coastal School of Law in 2015 and began his legal career as a criminal defense attorney before moving across the aisle. Alexander is an Associate member of the St. Augustine Inns of Court and a member of the Putnam County Bar Association.

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.

Confronting Tomorrow Today: The Ethical and Professional Impact and Implications of AI In the Courtroom
2025-06-27 13:00 - 14:00 | The Boca Raton, 501 E. Camino Real, Boca Raton, 33432
“Confronting Tomorrow Today: The Ethical and Professional Impact and Implications of AI In and Out of the Courtroom” is a FREE CLE for guests who register to attend the Criminal Law Section’s Selig I. Goldin Memorial Award Luncheon.
Goldin Award luncheon guests may attend a complimentary CLE opportunity immediately following the presentation. Judge P. Kevin Castel of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York will address the use and misuse of AI in the courts. Judge Castel sanctioned a law firm after it submitted fabricated opinions and citations provided by ChatGPT. The Goldin Award luncheon and CLE will be in Addison Ballroom West and registration is through the Annual Florida Bar Convention.

Inside the Florida Legislature
2025-10-30 13:00 - 16:30 | jw marriott bonnet creek, 14900 Chelonia Parkway, Orlando, FL, 32821, United States
In-person ONLY, “Inside the Florida Legislature” will cover relevant changes to Florida law in 2025, standards of conduct for public officers and employees, the Florida budget process, and a preview of the 2026 legislative session. Program Chair: Joe Spataro, Tampa. Proudly sponsored by Shumaker Advisors. FREE and open to all! REGISTER

Course number 9337 is approved for 5 CLE credits, 1 of which may be applied toward Ethics, and 5 certification credits each in Criminal Appellate, Criminal Trial, and City, County, and Local Government.

The legislative update is in conjunction with The Florida Bar Fall Meeting and includes lunch and a post-event reception

12–12:50 p.m.—2025 Session Legislative Update by Aaron Wayt, Pumphrey Law, Tallahassee, President-Elect of the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. This presentation will cover Florida legal updates from the 2025 Florida Legislative session that are relevant to criminal law practitioners.

1–1:50 p.m.—Ethics in Practice: Standards of Conduct for Public Officers and Employees by Amelia Naomi, Staff Attorney at the Florida Commission on Ethics, Tallahassee. This presentation will cover issues including abuse of public positions, gifts and bribery, nepotism, conflicts of interest, post-employment restrictions, financial disclosures and new legislation.

2–2:50 p.m.—The Florida Budget Process by Jason Welty, Executive Director, Florida Clerks of Court Operations Corporation, Tallahassee; and Tara Green, Clerk of Court and Comptroller for Clay County, Green Cove Springs. This presentation will discuss Florida’s budget, including the Legislature’s annual budget process and issues pertinent to criminal justice practitioners.

3–4:30 p.m.—Preview of the 2026 Legislative Session—panel discussion moderated by the Criminal Law Section’s lobbyist, election lawyer Natalie Kato, Tallahassee. During this panel discussion, the audience will get a sneak peek of what to expect during the 2026 Florida Legislative session from legislators and staff with a passion for criminal justice issues.
Panelists:

Senator Carlos Guillermo Smith (D–Orlando) represents Florida’s 17th District and serves as the Vice Chair of the Criminal Justice Committee
Representative Charles “Chuck” Brannan, III, (R–Macclenny) represents Florida’s 10th District and serves as the Chair of the Judiciary Committee
Jason Carter is an attorney and former prosecutor, and is a legislative aide in the Florida House of Representatives

Ufferman Files Part 4 (Juvenile Resentencing)
2025-10-31 12:00 - 13:30 | Zoom
Originally presented on October 31, 2025, course number 8914 is approved by The Florida Bar until approximately May 1, 2027, for 1 CLE and 1 certification credit each in Criminal Appellate, Criminal Trial, and Juvenile Law. Florida Bar members may self-report credit through their member portals. Watch the recording on YouTube.
Episode 4 of The Ufferman Files is a thought-provoking CLE presentation on Juvenile Resentencing hosted by Michael Ufferman of the Michael Ufferman Law Firm, P.A. in Tallahassee.
This session dives into representing juvenile defendants eligible for resentencing or review under Miller v. Alabama, 567 U.S. 460 (2012). Our panel brings together an incredible lineup: Jennifer Marshall and Don Pumphrey, experienced defense attorneys with numerous successful Miller cases; Kate O’Shea, one of the nation’s top mitigation specialists; and Michael Rosado, a Miller defendant released in 2024 after more than 25 years in prison.
Whether you currently represent a Miller defendant—or you have an upcoming sentencing hearing where mitigation is key—this episode will be both entertaining and deeply informative. Let’s continue the conversation about justice, advocacy, and reform.
Course #8914 classification: Intermediate

CLER Program (max credit: 1.0 hours) General: 1.0 hours
Certification Program (max credit: 1.0 hours) Criminal Appellate Law: 1.0 hours, Criminal Trial Law: 1.0 hours, Juvenile Law: 1.0 hours
For more information about CLER/Certification requirements, click here.

PRESENTERS

Jennifer Marshall, Office of Regional Conflict Counsel, West Palm Beach (View Bio)

Don Pumphrey, Pumphrey Law, Tallahassee (View Bio). Jennifer Marshall and Don Pumphrey have successfully represented numerous juvenile defendants in Miller proceedings.

Kate O’Shea, Suzerain Capital Defense, Lexington, South Carolina (View Bio). Kate O’Shea is one of the leading mitigation specialists in the country.

Michael Rosado, Florida Prison Consultants LLC, Tampa (View Bio). Michael Rosado is a Miller defendant who was released from incarceration in the summer of 2024 after spending over 25 years in prison.

Michael Ufferman, Michael Ufferman Law Firm, P.A., Tallahassee (View Bio). Michael Ufferman is Florida Bar board-certified in criminal appellate law and considered an expert in criminal appeals.

FREE CLE: Ufferman Files Part 5 - Stand Your Ground
2025-12-12 12:00 - 13:00 | Zoom
Ufferman Files Part 5 – Stand Your Ground. Originally presented on Friday, December 12, 2025, by Michael Ufferman of the Michael Ufferman Law Firm, P.A. in Tallahassee. Course number 9368 is approved by The Florida Bar until approximately June 12, 2027, for 1 CLE and 1 certification credit each in Criminal Appellate and Criminal Trial. Florida Bar members may self-report CLE credit through their member portals. Watch the recording on YouTube.
Specifically, our panelists will discuss the current Florida Statutes and procedures that apply to pretrial Stand Your Ground immunity motions and hearings, recent Florida caselaw addressing the subject, the Florida Supreme Court’s new opinion amending Florida Rule of Criminal Procedure 3.190 and the impact of those amendments on SYG proceedings, and appellate review of SYG proceedings—in particular the different role of prohibition petitions versus certiorari petitions.
On this episode, Michael will be joined by attorneys Patrick Canan and Dan Hilbert, who will discuss their role in representing Luis Casado in a high-profile SYG immunity case in St. Augustine. Michael will also be joined by Dr. Laurence Miller, a neuropsychologist who specializes in police psychology, who was one of the expert witnesses in Mr. Casado’s case. This episode is a must for anyone who has an upcoming SYG case—and it will surely be informative and entertaining for all of those who practice criminal law.

2026 Experts on DUI
2026-05-07 08:00 - 2026-05-08 17:00 | Renaissance Tampa International Plaza Hotel, 4200 Jim Walter Blvd., Tampa, FL, 33607, United States
Experts on DUI. Live (in person only) at the Renaissance Tampa International Plaza Hotel. Details and registration will be available soon.

2026 Criminal Law Update
2026-06-25 09:00 - 16:55
2026 Criminal Law Update. Live (in person only) during the Annual Florida Bar Convention. Details and registration will be available soon.
