ASK NOT WHAT YOUR COUNTRY CAN DO FOR YOU...

After those who wear robes, we tend to mock FACDL, but we do it with a smile and now it's time to acknowledge all FACDL does for us as criminal defense attorneys. First and foremost it is like a big brother/sister having your back. When a lawyer has a real problem and rings the bell, the FACDL and especially the Miami Chapter answers the call. We have also been blessed with great leaders, many of whom went on to the judiciary (but they are still invited to the awards dinner, because being  criminal defense attorneys is all about embracing forgiveness.). 

The current president Carmen Vizcaino follows in the tradition of great presidents like Rutherford B. Hayes and Millard Fillmore. She is working hard to get those all important courthouse passes in our hands (a truly thankless task that makes all of our lives so much better)  and is entitled to some recognition: Well done Ms. Vizcaino. Well done indeed! 

This is Ms. Vizcaino's recent email urging members to re-up:

What has FACDL-Miami done for you?

We have mad problem solving skills: 

The 9th floor clerks window had lines out the door and an average wait time of 1 hour to get to the window. Now we have both windows open in the morning to help alleviate the delay.  - FACDL MIAMI DID THAT. 

Eservice for depositions - we are discussing a solution to having the private bar be allowed to esubpoena officers instead of having to walk over paper subpoenas. 

We have had numerous meetings both the with clerks office and other partners in an effort to move forward the herculean task of having our pleadings and A-forms online. 

We are meeting with corrections to discuss solutions to having to resend letters of authorization for your investigator or expert everytime you client is moved, and to attempt to streamline the process for getting a laptop into the jail to review discovery. 

We have met and resolved issues with the clerk's window refusing to accept Motions to Seal or Expunge filings. 

We triage issues when they arise - many of our members will have an issue at a facility and will contact us.  We can make a call or send an email as FACDL in an attempt to solve the problem in a timely fashion. 

Your COURT ID - we handle all logistics and liaison with AOC in order to provide the private bar with Court ID to bypass the security lines. 

You have a client with a PVH but has an addiction and is ineligible for drug court?  Now you have Drug Court Probation (Post Adjudicatory Drug Court)  that can keep your client out of prison and get them help. FACDL MIAMI DID THAT. 

These are only a few of issues that FACDL has dealt with this year. 

See attached Renewal form below. Join and support this organization  which gives us collective power to resolve the issues that face us as criminal defense lawyers. 

And lest we forget, FACDL is also responsible for....

The I-Phone;  roasted brussels sprouts;  IPA Lager; 
The lyrics to Ariana Grande's "Thank-u, Next"; selfie-sticks; valet parking at the Justice Building; vegan hot-dogs in the hot-dog carts outside the courthouse; the espresso machine in the lobby of the main jail (try the bond-out latte); Mike Pence; and the smiley face emoji.  All for the low-low price of a couple of C-Notes a year, tax included. 

Merry Christmas.