2023-04-20 08:30 - 2023-04-21 17:00 (America/New_York) | Live Webinar
FACDL’s Criminal Law Review & Board Certification Tips is a two-day, must-attend seminar for criminal law practitioners of all experience levels. Whether you’re a veteran criminal law attorney who has applied to take the May 12 Criminal Appellate or Criminal Trial certification exam or a new associate seeking training in this practice area, this CLE is for you. From testing tips and federal appeals to ethics and Florida sentencing, this cutting-edge program offers an array of topics that will enhance your practice and help hone your skills. The presenters are some of the most well-known and respected practitioners and judges in Florida. Hosted by the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and sponsored by the Criminal Law Section of The Florida Bar. CLE credit: General 16.5, Ethics 1.0. Certification Credits: Criminal Appellate Law 16.5, Criminal Trial Law 16.5, State and Federal Government and Administrative Practice 16.5.

FACDL Member $280
FACDL Member Government Employee $180

Non-FACDL Member $375
Government Employee $200 (email facdl@facdl.org to register at this price)

2023-04-21 09:00 - 16:15 | Zoom
(6929) Navigating Juvenile Waters: A Closer Look at Florida Juvenile Delinquency Practice was held on April 21, 2023, from 9 AM–4:15 PM on Zoom, with 90-day, on-demand access. Course number 6929 is approved for 6 CLE, 1 Mental Illness Awareness, and 6 certification credits each in Criminal Appellate, Criminal Trial Law, and Juvenile Law. Course Level: Intermediate. This program is available to buy online 24/7:

Downloadable Audio
Online Seminar (On-Demand)
CD
DVD
Course Book (CLE credit not awarded)

The Florida Bar Criminal Law Section is proud to present Navigating Juvenile Waters: A Closer Look at Florida Juvenile Delinquency Practice. This daylong CLE program on all things juvenile criminal justice provides an overview of the practice of law in Florida juvenile delinquency courts as well as an up-to-date report on the latest juvenile practices and procedures. Our expert presenters will explore the similarities between juvenile delinquency and adult criminal court, and discuss issues unique to juveniles, including risk assessment detention rubrics, competency and sanity evaluations and mental health treatment, direct file and other forms of discretionary juvenile-to-adult-court review, cross-over youths subject to both our child welfare and juvenile justice systems, imposing juvenile sanctions, including disposition reports, hearings, and commitment levels, and more. Designed for bench and bar alike, Navigating Juvenile Waters is a must-participate CLE program you won’t want to miss.

SCHEDULE & PRESENTERS
February 10, 2023

9 AM – 9:10 AM
Welcome by the Program Co-Chairs
Hon. Angelica D. Zayas Miami-Dade Circuit Judge, Miami
Joel M. Silvershein, State Attorney’s Office 17th Circuit, Fort Lauderdale
9:10 AM – 10 AM
The Ins and Outs of Juvenile Detention Hearings
Tamara Gray, Assistant Public Defender, Miami Dade County, Eleventh Circuit
10 AM – 10:50 AM
New Juvenile Mental Health Rules and Procedures
Cheo A. Reid, Assistant State Attorney, Fifteenth Judicial Circuit, West Palm Beach
10:50 AM – 11:05 AM Break
11:05 AM – 11:55 AM
Nuances of Prosecuting and Defending Juveniles in Delinquency Court and Why They Matter
Tara Khani, Assistant Public Defender, Eleventh Judicial Circuit, Miami-Dade
11:55 AM – 1:30 PM
Lunch (Provided)
1:30 PM – 2:20 PM
Dually-Involved Youths and the Intersection of the Child Welfare and Juvenile Justice Systems
Irene M.G. Maslanik, Board Certified in Juvenile Law, Assistant State Attorney, Thirteenth Judicial Circuit, Tampa
2:20 PM – 3:10 PM
Juveniles to Adult Court: Transfers, Direct File Review, Discretion, and Other Considerations
Travis J. Coy, Assistant State Attorney, Thirteenth Judicial Circuit, Tampa
3:10 PM – 03:25 PM
Break
3:25 PM – 4:15 PM
Juvenile Sanctions: Predisposition Reports, Disposition Options, and Disposition Hearings
Kywa Hammond, Florida Department of Juvenile Justice, Orland

2023-05-04 08:00 - 2023-05-05 17:00 | AC Hotel by Marriott Tampa Airport, 4020 W. Boy Scout Blvd., Tampa, FL, 33607, United States
Masters of DUI 2023: Top Gun Teaching for Cutting-Edge Advocacy was held May 4–5, 2023—Live (AC Hotel Tampa Airport) and Live Webcast. This program is a comprehensive, cutting-edge look at the prosecution and defense of alcohol- and drug-related vehicular offenses. Get ethics credit. Get technology credit. Learn from the Top Guns. And become one yourself.
Course number 6422 is approved for 15 General CLE credits, 3 of which may be applied toward Ethics; 1 Technology credit; and 15 certification credits each in Criminal Appellate Law and Criminal Trial Law. The program is available to buy online 24/7:

Downloadable Audio
Online Seminar (On-Demand)
CD
DVD
Course Book (CLE credit not awarded)

This year’s program promises to be our best yet and is designed for basic, intermediate, and experienced practitioners. Our top-gun faculty members—judges, lawyers, and industry experts—are some of the best legal and scientific DUI minds, all gathered to bring you up to speed on the latest in alcohol-related prosecution and defense, and to answer all of your questions on how to improve the quality of your DUI advocacy. Special thanks to Program Co-Chairs Susan H. Cohen and David M. Robbins, Epstein & Robbins, Jacksonville.
Topics include primers on case preparation, issue spotting and motion practice, proper protocols for breath and laboratory testing, the ins and outs of Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles administrative hearings, collateral consequences of DUIs on professional licensure, expert trial skills instruction, spotlights on DUI with serious bodily injury and DUI manslaughter cases, a case law update, a special presentation on DUI ethics by Judge Roberto Arias of Jacksonville, and more. The 2023 Masters of DUI is a one-of-a-kind CLE program you won’t want to miss.
~ ~ ~
Day One: Thursday, May 4, 2023
9-9:10 AM
Welcome
Program Co-Chairs Susan H. Cohen and David M. Robbins, Epstein & Robbins, Jacksonville
9:10-10 AM
Case Law Update: Knowledge is Power
Leslie M. Sammis, Sammis Law Firm, P.A., Tampa
10-10:50 AM
Issue Spotting: Putting the Power of Knowledge to Work
Tara A. Anderson, Assistant Public Defender, Sixth Judicial Circuit, Clearwater
10:50-11:05 AM
Break
11:05-11:55 AM
Preparing a Case: You’re Never Too Old for Homework
Keeley R. Karatinos, Karatinos Law, PLLC, Dade City
11:55-12:30 PM
Lunch (included)
12:30-1:20 PM
Good Things Happen When You File Motions
E. Michael Isaak, Isaak Law, PLLC, Tampa
1:20-2:10 PM
Spotlight on Ethics: A Judicial Perspective
Hon. Roberto Arias, Duval County Judge, Fourth Judicial Circuit, Jacksonville
2:10-2:25 PM
Break
2:25-3:15 PM
Technology and Practice: Analyzing the Death Star Plans
Elliott A. Wilcox, The Wilcox Law Firm, P.L., Tampa
3:15-4:05 PM
Professional Licensing Issues: Those Pesky Collateral Consequences
Kevin M. Griffith, McIntosh Law, Sarasota
4:05-4:55 PM
Ethics Panel: Staying Honest While Advocating
Moderator: Brian L. Tannebaum, Brian L. Tannebaum, P.A., Miami
Panelists:

Michael J. Kessler, Florida Bar Board Certified in Criminal Trial, Kessler Law Firm, Ft. Pierce
Nicki A. Mohr, Assistant State Attorney, 13th Judicial Circuit, Tampa
Hon. Margaret R. Taylor, Hillsborough County Judge, 13th Judicial Circuit, Tampa

4:55-5 PM
Conclusion
Program Co-Chairs Susan H. Cohen and David M. Robbins, Epstein & Robbins, Jacksonville
~ ~ ~
Day Two: Friday, May 5, 2023
9-9:10 AM
Welcome
Program Co-Chairs Susan H. Cohen and David M. Robbins, Epstein & Robbins, Jacksonville
9:10-10:15 AM
Nuts and Bolts of Administrative Hearings
Susan H. Cohen and David M. Robbins, Epstein & Robbins, Jacksonville; Thomas J. Moffett Jr., Chief Counsel, Bureau of Administrative Reviews, Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, Tallahassee
10:15-11:05 AM
Direct Examination: Every Story Paints a Picture
Timothy R. Bussey, The Bussey Law Firm, P.C., Colorado Springs, CO
11:05-11:20 AM
Break
11:20 AM-12:10 PM
Cross-Examination: Painting a New Picture
Mark Thiessen, Thiessen Law Firm, Houston, TX
12:10-12:45 PM
Lunch Break
12:45-1:35 PM
Breath Testing Issues: The Number is Just the Beginning
Robert N. Harrison, Robert N. Harrison, P.A., Venice
1:35-2:25 PM
Lab Protocols and Quality Control: You Mean the Analyst Report is Not Gospel?
Janine Arvizu, Certified Quality Auditor, Albuquerque, NM
2:25-2:40 PM
Break
2:40-3:30 PM
Motion Practice in DUI SBI/Manslaughter Cases: The Best Trial Lawyer is the Best Pretrial Lawyer
Robert S. Reiff, Florida Bar Board Certified in Criminal Trial Law, Law Offices of Robert S. Reiff, P.A., Miami
3:30-4:20 PM
DUI SBI/Manslaughter Ethics and Trial Tactics: From Both Sides: When All Else Fails
John G. Kalinowski, Assistant State Attorney, Fourth Judicial Circuit, Jacksonville
Aaron M. Wayt, Pumphrey Law, Tallahassee
4:05-4:10 PM
Conclusion
Program Co-Chairs Susan H. Cohen and David M. Robbins, Epstein & Robbins, Jacksonville

2023-06-22 09:00 - 17:00 | The Boca Raton, 501 E. Camino Real, Boca Raton, 33432
Criminal Law Update was held Thursday, June 22, 9 AM–5 PM, live (in person) at The Boca Raton and live video webcast with 90-day, on-demand access. Course number 7408. Read The Florida Bar News write-up here. The program is available to buy online 24/7:

Downloadable Audio
Online Seminar (On-Demand)
CD
DVD
Course Book (CLE credit not awarded)

Course number 7408 CLE Credit: 7.5 General, 1 Technology, 1 Mental Illness Awareness. Certification Credit: 7.5 Criminal Appellate, 7.5 Criminal Trial, 1 Immigration & Nationality, 7.5 Juvenile Law.
Featuring Justice Jorge Labarga, Hank Coxe, Roy Black, and a very special presentation by Justice Peggy Quince.
The program includes our traditional “updates”—on recent developments in Florida and federal criminal case law, new legislation, and legislation on the horizon, and updates in the all-important worlds of DUI and “crimmigration,” the intersection of our nation’s immigration policies and criminal justice systems.
To begin the morning, Justice Labarga shared the very personal story of his rise to the bench, and how things Florida criminal justice “look” from where he sits.
Our spotlight presentation updated us on the arrest, prosecution, and treatment of those suffering issues with mental health, brought to us by the statewide leader in the field, Judge Steve Leifman.
We also welcomed Professor Christopher Slobogin of Vanderbilt Law School on his latest—and most timely—work, Virtual Searches: Regulating the Covert World of Technological Policing.
Our afternoon session kicked off with the one and only Justice Quince, who spoke passionately on our mutual, professional obligation not merely to serve, but to rescue our democratic Republic.
We ended the day with the panel discussion of all panel discussions: the wise voices of our era, speaking blunt truth to power about “where we are” in Florida criminal justice, how we got here, and, most importantly, what are we going to do to ensure brighter, better criminal justice tomorrows for us all—featuring Justice Quince, joined by Roy Black, Judge Kevin Emas, and Fifteenth Judicial Circuit Public Defender Carey Haughwout, and our moderator of all moderators, Hank Coxe.
SCHEDULE & PRESENTERS
9:00 AM–9:05 AM
Introduction
Professor H. Scott Fingerhut: Program Chair, Co-Chair of the Criminal Law Section CLE Committee, FIU College of Law, and H. Scott Fingerhut, P.A., Miami
9:05 AM–9:10 AM
Welcome
Honorable Samantha L. Ward, Chair, Criminal Law Section, Florida Bar Board Certified in Criminal Trial Law, Hillsborough Circuit Judge, Thirteenth Judicial Circuit, Tampa
9:10 AM–9:30 AM
Feature Presentation: Criminal Justice System Update
Honorable Jorge Labarga, Justice, Supreme Court of Florida, Tallahassee
9:30 AM–9:45 AM
Break
9:45 AM–10:35 AM
Case Law Update
Michael R. Ufferman, Florida Bar Board Certified in Criminal Appellate Law, Michael Ufferman Law Firm, P.A., Tallahassee
10:35 AM–11:25 AM
Scholars Corner: Virtual Searches: Regulating the Covert World of Technological Policing
Professor Christopher Slobogin, Milton R. Underwood Chair in Law, Director, Criminal Justice Program, Vanderbilt Law School, Nashville, Tennessee
11:25 AM–11:40 AM
Break
11:40 AM–12:30 PM
Immigration Law Update
Linda M. Osberg-Braun, Florida Bar Board Certified in Immigration and Nationality Law, Osberg-Braun Immigration, Miami
12:30 PM–1:00 PM
Lunch
1:00 PM–1:45 PM
Feature Presentation: Democracy at Peril
Honorable Peggy A. Quince, Justice, Supreme Court of Florida (ret.), Tampa
1:45 PM–2:35 PM
DUI Law Update
Fleming Kanan Whited, III Whited Law Firm, Daytona Beach
2:35 PM–3:25 PM
Spotlight Presentation: Florida Criminal Justice Mental Health Update
Honorable Steven Leifman, Miami-Dade County Judge, Eleventh Judicial Circuit, Miami
3:25 PM–3:40 PM
Break
3:40 PM–4:55 PM
Wisdom of Ages: A Blunt Criminal Justice Discussion About What’s Going On in Florida and What We Are Going to Do About It
Moderator: Hank Coxe, Past President, The Florida Bar, Florida Board Certified in Criminal Trial Law, Bedell, Dittman, DeVault, Pillans & Coxe, Jacksonville
Panelists:
Roy Black, Black Srebnick, Miami
Honorable Kevin Emas, Judge, Florida Third District Court of Appeal, Miami
Honorable Carey S. Haughwout, Florida Bar Board Certified in Criminal Trial Law, Public Defender, Fifteenth Judicial Circuit, West Palm Beach
Honorable Peggy A. Quince, Justice, Supreme Court of Florida (ret.), Tampa
4:55 PM–5:00 PM
Conclusion
Professor H. Scott Fingerhut: Program Chair, Co-Chair of the Criminal Law Section CLE Committee, FIU College of Law, and H. Scott Fingerhut, P.A., Miami

2023-06-22 18:30 - 20:00 | The Boca Raton, 501 E. Camino Real, Boca Raton, 33432
The Criminal Law Section’s Executive Council held its 2023 Awards Reception during the Annual Florida Bar Convention.
Thursday, June 22, 2023, 6:30-8 PM
The Boca Raton Royal Palm Ballroom I
The reception was open to all Criminal Law Section Members and Judges.
In addition to the Section’s member awards, three Florida law school students received the Criminal Law Section’s Student Scholarship Awards during our Awards Reception. Read The Florida Bar News write-up here. The cash scholarships are awarded to incoming third-year law students who have shown dedication to and interest in the criminal justice system as trial and appellate practitioners:

Haley Kinart, Stetson University College of Law
Skyler Jackle, Stetson University College of Law
Victoria Thacker, Florida International University College of Law

2023-06-23 09:00 - 12:00 | The Boca Raton, 501 E. Camino Real, Boca Raton, 33432
The Criminal Law Section’s Executive Council meeting was held during the Annual Florida Bar Convention in Estate Ballroom II at The Boca Raton. The call was hosted through Zoom.

2023-06-23 12:30 - 14:00 | The Boca Raton, 501 E. Camino Real, Boca Raton, 33432
This event was held on Friday, June 23, 2023, in Royal Palm Ballroom X at The Boca Raton. The Criminal Law Section Selig I. Goldin Award and Criminal Procedure Rules Committee Joint Luncheon honoring 2023 recipient James E. Felman, Kynes, Markman & Felman, P.A., Tampa. Read The Florida Bar News story here.

James E. Felman has concentrated his practice of law in the defense of complex criminal matters and related civil litigation for over 30 years. Mr. Felman represents clients in federal and state matters in every phase of the criminal process — investigation, trial, sentencing, appeal, and post-conviction proceedings. He has represented clients in a wide range of matters, including allegations of bank fraud, health care fraud, mail and wire fraud, securities fraud, public corruption, environmental crimes, antitrust violations, synthetic/illegal drugs, illegal gambling, child abuse/pornography, and murder. Mr. Felman has also devoted a significant portion of his professional efforts to legal reform and policy work. He has testified on an array of topics before the United States Senate, House of Representatives, and Sentencing Commission, and has given more than 100 presentations on criminal justice policy issues. He is a Past Chair of the Criminal Justice Section of the American Bar Association. From 2014-2017 he served as a member of the Steering Committee of the Clemency Project 2014. Mr. Felman is a graduate of Wake Forest University, B.A. cum laude, 1984, and Duke University, M.A. Phil. and J.D. with high honors (Order of the Coif), 1987. Following law school, he was a law clerk to Judge Theodore McMillian of the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit.

2023-07-23 13:00 - 2023-07-27 11:30 | University of Florida Levin College of Law, 309 Village Dr., Gainesville, FL, 32611, United States
The University of Florida Levin College of Law and The Florida Bar Criminal Law Section proudly presented the 2023 Gerald T. Bennett Prosecutor/Public Defender Trial Training Program on July 23 – 27, 2023. View the event brochure here.
SUNDAY, JULY 23

1:00-1:45 PM—REGISTRATION
2:00–2:30 PM—Welcome & Opening Remarks
2:30–5:30 PM—Case Analysis and Voir Dire
5:30 pm–7 PM—Faculty/Participant Mixer

MONDAY, JULY 24

9:00 AM–5:00 PM—Opening Statements and Direct & Cross Examination

TUESDAY, JULY 25

9:00 AM–5:30 PM—Direct & Cross Examination of Witnesses and Faculty Demonstrations/Expert Witness Discussion

WEDNESDAY, JULY 26

9:00 AM–5:00 PM—Professionalism & Ethics, Closing Arguments, and Faculty/Participant Reception at the Hilton University of Florida Conference Center Gainesville

THURSDAY, JULY 27

9:00–11:30 AM—Courts & Technology and Convocation & Awards

2023-10-05 12:00 - 18:00 | Hilton Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort, 505 N. Fort Lauderdale Beach Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, FL, 33304, United States
The Criminal Law Section hosted its first (to be annual) legislative update on October 5 in Fort Lauderdale. “Inside the Florida Legislature” was an in-person and live-streamed CLE and a reception. The program is available to buy online 24/7:

Downloadable Audio
Online Seminar (On-Demand)
Inside The Florida Legislature BOOK (CLE CREDIT IS NOT AWARDED FOR THE PURCHASE OF THE COURSE BOOK ONLY)

This program will provide the criminal law practitioner with an update on relevant changes to Florida law in 2023 and a preview of what to expect from the 2024 legislative session. Highlighted by a panel discussion featuring ranking members of criminal justice and judiciary committees from the Florida House and Senate, this four-hour CLE will include a presentation on the Florida budget, a recap of the 2023 legislative session by the Criminal Law Section’s lobbyist, and an ethics presentation by the Florida Ethics Institute Director.
The legislative update was in conjunction with the Criminal Law Section’s Executive Council meeting on October 6 from 9 AM–12 PM, in person at the Hilton Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort.
Course number 8027 is approved for 4.5 CLE credits, 1 of which may be applied toward Ethics, and 4.5 certification credits each in Criminal Appellate Law and Criminal Trial Law.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
SCHEDULE AND PRESENTERS

12–12:55 PM—Ethics
Caroline Klancke, Esq., Founder and Executive Director of the Florida Ethics Institute

12:55–1:35 PM—2023 Legislative Update
Natalie Kato, Esq., Kato Law

1:35–2:30 PM—The Florida Budget
Juan Fernandez-Barquin, Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller for Miami-Dade County

2:30–2:40 PM—Break

2:40–4 PM—Preview of 2024 Legislative Session
Sen. Jonathan Martin, Rep. Keith Truenow, Rep. Toby Overdorf, Rep. Mike Gottlieb

2023-10-06 09:00 - 12:00 | Hilton Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort, 505 N. Fort Lauderdale Beach Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, FL, 33304, United States
The Criminal Law Section held an Executive Council meeting on October 6 from 9 AM–12 PM, in person at the Hilton Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort. A virtual option was provided.

2024-03-07 08:30 - 2024-03-08 16:10 | Renaissance Tampa International Plaza Hotel, 4200 Jim Walter Blvd., Tampa, FL, 33607, United States
Originally presented on March 7 and 8, 2024, the Criminal Law Section’s Masters of DUI 2024 is a comprehensive, cutting-edge look at the prosecution and defense of alcohol- and drug-related vehicular offenses. This year’s theme is Becoming the Lincoln Lawyer: Learning to Think Creatively and Yield Results Like a Master. This two-day program is designed for basic, intermediate, and experienced practitioners. Topics include case preparation, issue spotting, jury selection, lab protocols, implicit bias, Florida’s administrative suspension process, jury selection, visual aids, cross-examination, the judicial perspective, technology, urine testing, drug DUIs and DRE, a case law update, and more. Our prestigious faculty members—judges, lawyers, and industry experts—are some of the best legal and scientific DUI minds in the nation. Each segment is intended to boost your knowledge and improve your skills in this highly specialized practice area to improve the quality of your DUI advocacy.
Course number 8155 is approved for 14 CLE, 1 Technology and 14 certification credits each in Criminal Appellate and Criminal Trial. The program is available to purchase 24/7 online:

Downloadable Audio
Online Seminar (On-Demand)
CD
DVD

The 2024 Masters of DUI is a one-of-a-kind CLE event. Special thanks to Program Co-Chairs Susan H. Cohen and David M. Robbins, Epstein & Robbins, Jacksonville.

AGENDA AND PRESENTERS
Masters of DUI 2024 – Becoming the Lincoln Lawyer: Learning to Think Creatively and Yield Results Like a Master
Day One: Thursday, March 7
8:30–9:00 AM Check-In and Late Registration
9:00–9:10 AM Welcome (Program Co-Chairs Susan H. Cohen and David M. Robbins, Epstein & Robbins, Jacksonville)
9:10–10:00 AM Staying One Step Ahead – Case Law Update (Eilam Isaak, Tampa)
10:00–10:50 AM Just the Facts – Florida’s Administrative Suspension Process (Tom Moffett, Chief Counsel, Bureau of Administrative Reviews, Tallahassee)
10:50–11:05 AM Break
11:05–11:55 AM Using the Facts to Your Advantage to Navigate the Administrative Suspension Process (David Robbins & Susan Cohen, Jacksonville)
11:55 AM–12:25 PM Lunch (provided with in-person registration)
12:25–1:15 PM Because We Can Handle the Truth: Reviewing the Evidence and Spotting Issues (Tara Anderson, Assistant Public Defender, Sixth Judicial Circuit, Clearwater)
1:15–2:15 PM What Would Claire Kincaid Do? Preparing a Case (Keeley Karatinos, Dade City)
2:15–2:30 PM Break
2:30–3:20 PM You Too Can Be Perry Mason: Motions to Suppress (Eilam Isaak, Tampa)
3:20–4:10 PM Playing War Games With Joshua – Computers Don’t Make Mistakes…. Or Do They? Technology and Practice (Elliott Wilcox, Tampa)
4:10–5:00 PM Finding Twelve Angry Men – The Art of Jury Selection (Robert Reiff, Miami)

Day Two: Friday, March 8
9:00–9:10 AM Welcome (Program Chairs David Robbins & Susan Cohen, Jacksonville)
9:10–10:00 AM Herding Cats; The Reality of Interacting With Attorneys – The Judicial Perspective (Deborah Carpenter-Toye, County Court Judge, Broward County)
10:00–10:50 AM Echoes of To Kill A Mockingbird … Implicit Bias – It’s All Around Us! (Phyllis Kotey, Clinical Professor of Law, Florida International University, Miami)
10:50–11:05 AM Break
11:05–11:55 AM Following the Science – Lab Protocols and Quality Control (Janine Arvizu – Lab Auditor, Albuquerque, New Mexico)
11:55 AM–12:25 PM Lunch (provided for in-person registrants)
12:25–1:15 PM Channeling Your Inner Vincent Gambini Using Visual Aids, Stories and Analogies to Win Your Case (Mark Thiessen, Houston, Texas)
1:15–2:05 PM Bringing Out the Truth Ben Matlock Style – The Art of Successful Cross-Examination (John Collins, Little Rock, Arkansas)
2:05–2:20 PM Break
2:20–3:10 PM Does it Pass the Abby Sciuto Test? The Forensics of Urine Testing (Anne Marie Rizzo, Sarasota)
3:10–4:00 PM Applying the Science – Drug DUIs and DRE (Aaron Wayt, Tallahassee)
4:00–4:10 PM Conclusion (Program Chairs David Robbins & Susan Cohen, Jacksonville)

2024-06-20 18:30 - 2024-06-21 14:00 | Signia by Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek, 14100 Bonnet Creek Resort Ln, Orlando, FL, 32821, United States
Please join your Criminal Law Section friends and colleagues at the Signia by Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek for our events during the Annual Florida Bar Convention.
Thursday, June 20
6:30-8:30 PM: Membership Reception & Awards Ceremony (Jackson)
Friday, June 21
8:30 AM-12 PM: Executive Council Meeting (Dade)
12:30-2 PM: Selig I. Goldin Award and Joint Luncheon with Criminal Procedure Rules Committee (Florida Ballroom F)
The Honorable Stanford Blake will receive the Criminal Law Section’s 2024 Selig I. Goldin Memorial Award. After 22 years as a highly respected judge who presided over many high-profile trials and complex cases, he now serves as a mediator. Stan has been honored by the Family Bar with the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers “Jurist of the Year” and by the Civil Bar with the Judge Steve Levine Award for Fairness, Integrity and Professionalism. He received many other awards while on the Bench including, but not limited to, the Judge William Hoeveler Lifetime Achievement Award, the Florida Supreme Court Chief Justice Award for Judicial Excellence, the Conference of Circuit Judges Chair’s Award, the Justice Gerald Kogan Judicial Distinction Award, the Alan Schwartz Judicial Excellence Award, the League of Prosecutors Justice Award and the University of Miami Law Alumni Achievement Award. He was also honored to receive the highest bar approval rating ever of the Dade County Bar Association of almost 99% exceptionally qualified/qualified in 2012.
Stan has always been involved with teaching. He has been an adjunct professor at the University of Miami School of Law teaching Litigation Skills for nearly 20 years and teaches at the New Judge’s mandatory program yearly. Stan has also been a regular instructor for the Circuit Court Conference and Advanced Judicial Studies during his tenure on the Bench. He was a presenter for the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts 48th Annual Conference and a lecturer for the Department of Justice in Washington, D.C. for a national symposium on indigent defense in the United States.
Stanford Blake has also served our community for many years. He was the President of the Board of Directors of the Haven School for the Developmentally Disadvantaged President of the Kiwanis Club of Biscayne Bay as well as a Board Member of Lauren’s Kids. Having donated a kidney to his brother in 1996, Stan became active in the Transplant Foundation.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This year, the Criminal Law Section will award four $2,500 cash scholarships. The annual scholarships are awarded to students or law school graduates who have shown dedication to and interest in the criminal justice system as trial and appellate practitioners.
Emma Hirschy is a recent Florida State University of Law graduate, where she was President of the Association for Criminal Justice, Secretary and Advocate for the Trial Team, and Secretary of the Federal Bar Association. She was honored as the 2023 Trial Team Best 2L Advocate and the 2023 Georgetown White Collar Crime Trial Competition Outstanding Advocate. She has worked a legal intern for the Milwaukee Justice Center and as a senior law clerk for the Pumphrey Law Firm in Tallahassee. Emma also has worked full-time as a Certified Legal Intern at the Second Judicial Circuit State Attorney’s Office, and after passing the bar exam will transition into a role there as an Assistant State Attorney.
Sarah Tanner is a recent Thomas M. Cooley Law School graduate and will take the bar exam in July. She will serve as an Assistant State Attorney for in the 13th Judicial Circuit, where she has worked as a Certified Legal Intern. During law school, she was the Executive Managing Editor for the Thomas M. Cooley Law Review and an Affiliate Student Representative for The Florida Bar Young Lawyers Division. She earned several scholarships: the Thomas M. Cooley Law Review Dawn C. Beachnau Award, the Thomas M. Cooley Alumni Memorial Scholarship, and the Thomas M. Cooley Merit-Based Scholarship. Sarah is a member of the Hillsborough County Bar Association, the Florida Association for Women Lawyers, and the Federal Bar Association.
Fabrizia Wade is a recent Florida State University College of Law graduate, where she was a member of the Association for Criminal Justice and the Black Law Student Association. She also served as President of the FSU College of Law Trial Team, where she was named Trial Team Best 3L Advocate. Fabrizia participated in the FSU Alumni Affairs Office Spring Fundathon all three years of her law school career and has volunteered for Legal Services of North Florida and the Institute for Family Violence Studies. She received an FSU College of Law Office of Student Affairs Outstanding Pro Bono Hour Award for completing more than 40 pro bono hours. After passing the bar exam, she will become an Assistant State Attorney in the Fourth Judicial Circuit.
Arianna Diaz Wightman is a recent University of Miami School of Law graduate. During law school, she participated in the Miami Law ACLU, OUTLaw, and Trial Team, and received a Marcos A. Vazquez Scholarship. She worked as a Certified Legal Intern at the Miami-Dade Public Defender’s Office, and after passing the bar exam will return to the Defender’s Office as a full-time attorney. She has worked as a Guardian ad Litem in the Miami-Dade Guardian ad Litem Office, a law clerk for the Prisoners Legal Advocacy Network in New York and Your Insurance Attorney, PLLC in Miami, and a pre-litigation legal assistant for Marin, Eljaiek, Lopez, and Martinez, P.L. in Miami.

2024-07-21 13:00 - 2024-07-26 11:30 | University of Florida Levin College of Law, 309 Village Dr., Gainesville, FL, 32611, United States
Brought to you by The Florida Bar Criminal Law Section with support from The Florida Bar Foundation.

WHEN: July 21-26, 2024
WHERE: University of Florida Levin College of Law
WHO: Prosecutors and Public Defenders with 1-5 years of experience
SCHEDULE:

Sunday, July 21: 1 – 6:30 PM
Monday, July 22: 9 AM – 7 PM
Tuesday, July 23: 9 AM – 5:30 PM
Wednesday, July 24: 9 AM – 5:30 PM
Thursday, July 25: 9 AM – 8 PM
Friday, July 26: 9 – 11:30 AM

** Please contact Lindsay Hanson, Staff Attorney UF Law, with any questions or concerns: hanson@law.ufl.edu

INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE FLORIDA BAR 2024 GERALD T. BENNETT PUBLIC DEFENDER/PROSECUTOR TRIAL TRAINING PROGRAM:
1. A $300 registration fee (PO, check, or credit card) will be invoiced by The Florida Bar after the program. Please provide the appropriate contact person for this below.
2. Payments are to be made payable to THE FLORIDA BAR.
3. PARTICIPANTS’ OFFICES SHOULD MAKE HOTEL RESERVATIONS BEFORE THE DEADLINE OF JUNE 23, even if you have not finalized the number or names of participants you will be sending.
4. You may always cancel hotel reservations, but you may not add to a closed block of rooms. Hotel reservations are the responsibility of the attendee’s office.
5. The participants’ room block is at the Hilton University of Florida Conference Center Gainesville. Rooms are available for single/double occupancy at a rate of $159, not including taxes and fees.

HOTEL INFORMATION:

University of Florida Hilton
Address: 1714 SW 34th St., Gainesville, FL 32607
Rate: $159.00/night, not including taxes and fees (Sun 7/21 to Friday 7/26)
DEADLINE TO RESERVE HOTEL ROOM: June 23, 2024 at 5:00 pm
CLICK HERE TO BOOK HOTEL

2024-08-20 12:00 - 13:00 | Zoom
“Evidence Collection and Maintaining Chain of Custody in an Animal Cruelty or Animal Fighting Case” took place on August 20, 12–1 PM. It was a FREE CLE (open to all) hosted by the Animal Law and Criminal Law sections of The Florida Bar. This program offers an overview of crime scene processing, evidence collection, animal identification, and maintaining chain of custody when responding to an animal cruelty or animal fighting case. Presented by Nathan Zilak, Esq., ASCPA National Criminal Practice Counsel in the Legal Advocacy & Investigations Division, and ASCPA Forensic Analyst Jonesta Nolan, MS, CSCSA.
Course number 8587 is approved for 1 CLE, 1 Criminal Trial Law certification credit.
Nathan and Jonesta will walk through a warrant execution on a sample animal cruelty/animal fighting case. They will discuss how evidence can be collected, animals can be identified, and chain of custody can be maintained to preserve the potential criminal case.
Nathan Zilak, Esq. is National Criminal Practice Counsel in the Legal Advocacy & Investigations Division at the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA). In his role, he supports law enforcement and prosecutors in the investigation and prosecution of animal cruelty and animal fighting cases throughout the country. He is a former Assistant State Attorney in Florida’s 6th Judicial Circuit, and a longtime volunteer with the Pinellas Humane Society.
Jonesta Nolan, MS, CSCSA, is a Forensic Analyst at the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) in Gainesville, FL. With over 16 years of experience in the forensic field, she has held significant positions with the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department, the Denver Crime Laboratory, and the Dallas Police Department’s Crime Scene Response Section. She is a certified Senior Crime Scene Analyst by the International Association for Identification (IAI).

2024-09-27 09:00 - 12:00 | FL
The September 27 CLS Executive Council Meeting was held virtually.
Here are the dates of upcoming Council meetings:

January 17, 2025, at 9 AM (virtual)
April 11, 2025, at 9 AM (virtual)
June 27, 2025, at 9 AM (in person at The Boca Raton, 501 East Camino Real, Boca Raton. Breakfast starts at 8:30 AM)

2024-10-01 12:00 - 13:00 | Zoom
October 1, 12-1 PM live Zoom webinar presented by Ralph DeMeo, Guilday Law, and hosted by the Criminal Law and Animal Law sections of The Florida Bar. Course number 8688 is approved for 1 CLE, and 1 certification credit each in Civil Trial, Criminal Trial, and Criminal Appellate.
The program will examine applicable Florida Constitutional sections, statutes, and regulations relating to marine and land wildlife, including the management of the Florida Black Bear, the use of gill nets for fishing, and other current issues. Civil and criminal wildlife laws will be discussed, including animal cruelty laws. It also will highlight 2024 legislation which proposed an amendment to the Florida Constitution that codifies the right to hunt and fish as the preferred means of wildlife management, which will appear on the November statewide ballot.

2024-11-22 12:00 - 13:00 | Zoom
Originally presented on November 22, 2024, by Jessica Collins from the U.S. Sentencing Commission, course number 8798 is approved by The Florida Bar until approximately May 22, 2026, for 1 General CLE credit and 1 certification credit each in Criminal Trial Law, Criminal Appellate Law, and Juvenile Law. Criminal Law Section members may log in to the website to watch the recorded video at no charge.
Free CLE is a benefit of membership in the Criminal Law Section of The Florida Bar. This webinar will inform federal criminal law practitioners about the 2024 amendments to the United States Sentencing Guidelines, which went into effect on November 1, 2024. Collins will provide an overview of the amendment process and the 2024 Promulgated Amendments. Attendees will learn how key changes from the 2024 guidelines amendments affect acquitted conduct, rules for calculating loss, and youthful offenders.

2024-12-13 12:00 - 13:00 | Zoom
The Criminal Law Section’s popular Ufferman Files series is back and better than ever. Michael Ufferman hosted “A Conversation with Three of the Best: Brian Cavanagh, John Frusciante, and Jeff Harris.” Criminal Law Section members may log in to the website to watch the recorded video at no charge.
Originally presented on December 13, 2024, course number 8791 is approved by The Florida Bar until approximately June 13, 2026, for 1 CLE and 1 certification credit each in Criminal Appellate and Criminal Trial.
View the presenter bios here.
During “A Conversation with Three of the Best,” host Michael Ufferman moderates a panel discussion with distinguished guests Brian Cavanagh, retired Chief of the Homicide Trial Unit of the Broward State Attorney’s Office; The Honorable John Frusciante, former Circuit Judge for Florida’s Seventeenth Judicial Circuit; and criminal defense lawyer Jeff Harris; past president of the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and Florida Bar board certified in Criminal Trial since 1987. The panel discusses how practicing criminal law in Florida has changed in the last 40 years. These three pillars of the criminal law community will provide their wisdom and insights for other lawyers—both young and old. This 60-minute presentation is provocative and educational for prosecutors, defenders, and judges alike.

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

2025-03-06 09:00 - 2025-03-07 15:45 | Renaissance Tampa International Plaza Hotel, 4200 Jim Walter Blvd., Tampa, FL, 33607, United States
Originally presented on March 6 and 7, 2025, in person at the Renaissance Tampa International Plaza. Our all-new “Experts on DUI: Becoming the ‘Go-To’ DUI Guru” is now available to buy online 24/7 as an online seminar (on-demand), downloadable audio, and in CD and DVD formats. Course number 8590 is approved by the Florida Bar until September 30, 2026, for 14.5 CLE, 1 Ethics, 1 Technology, and 14.5 certification credits each in Criminal Appellate and Criminal Trial Law.
This two-day program is designed for basic, intermediate, and experienced practitioners. Topics include a DUI case law update, Florida’s administrative suspension process, implicit bias, case preparation, jury selection, the judicial perspective, ethical considerations, pretrial motions, field sobriety, the human factor in lab results, and more. Our prestigious faculty members are some of the best legal and scientific DUI minds in the nation. Each segment is intended to boost your knowledge and improve your skills in this highly specialized practice area to improve the quality of your DUI advocacy.

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.

2025-06-27 08:00 - 11:30 | The Boca Raton, 501 E. Camino Real, Boca Raton, 33432
June 27, 2025, at 8:30 a.m. (in person at The Boca Raton, 501 East Camino Real, Boca Raton, in Estate Ballroom II). Breakfast starts at 8:00 a.m.
Criminal Law Section members and anyone interested in getting involved in the section are welcome to attend our EC meetings. We encourage you to join us in person during the Annual Florida Bar Convention to learn more about the section, its mission, ways to participate on committees, present CLEs, and become part of the Executive Council.

2025-06-27 11:30 - 14:00 | The Boca Raton, 501 E. Camino Real, Boca Raton, 33432
Retired Florida Supreme Court Justice Peggy A. Quince has been selected to receive the Criminal Law Section’s 2025 Selig I. Goldin Memorial Award in recognition of her outstanding contributions to Florida’s criminal justice system and her enduring commitment to the practice of criminal law. Read the Bar News story here.
Justice Quince will accept the award at the Selig I. Goldin Memorial Award Luncheon on Friday, June 27, from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. during the Annual Florida Bar Convention at The Boca Raton in Boca Raton, FL. The luncheon will be in Addison Ballroom West and registration is through the Annual Florida Bar Convention.
The section’s executive council voted unanimously to honor Justice Quince with the Criminal Law Section’s highest award.

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.
