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Finding out there’s a warrant for your arrest is one of the most unsettling experiences a person can face. Your mind races. You wonder: Will they show up at my house? Will they arrest me at work? Will my name appear in public records? What happens to my job, my family, my reputation?Fort Lauderdale criminal defense lawyer

Take a breath. You have more options than you think. But the decisions you make in the next few hours and days matter enormously. As a Fort Lauderdale criminal defense attorney, I’ve guided many people through exactly this situation. Here, I’ll walk you through what a warrant means, what your rights are, and most importantly, a general guide on what you should — and should not — do.

First, What Exactly Is a Warrant?

In Florida, a warrant for your arrest is a court order authorizing law enforcement to take you into custody. Warrants are typically issued in two ways:

1. A Capiases (Capias) A capias is a court-issued directive for your arrest, most commonly issued when a person fails to appear for a scheduled court hearing (sometimes called a “failure to appear” or FTA), or when a judge finds probable cause to charge someone with a crime. The term comes from the Latin capias ad respondendum — literally, “that you take to answer.” Under Florida Rule of Criminal Procedure 3.121, a capias must be directed to all law enforcement officers in the state and must include your name, offense charged, and the amount of any bail.

2. An Arrest Warrant Based on Probable Cause Under Florida Rule of Criminal Procedure 3.120, a judge may issue an arrest warrant upon a sworn complaint or affidavit establishing probable cause to believe a crime has been committed and that you committed it. This is different from an indictment but serves a similar function: it gives law enforcement the legal authority to arrest you.

Both types of warrants are entered into the Florida Crime Information Center (FCIC) and the National Crime Information Center (NCIC), meaning law enforcement anywhere in Florida — and often nationwide — can see and act on them.

The Two Scenarios: Getting Picked Up vs. Walking In

Here’s the most important thing to understand: you have a choice in how this plays out, and that choice has real consequences.

Scenario 1: Getting Picked Up (The Worst Way This Can Go)

If you ignore a warrant and do nothing, law enforcement will eventually find you — and they’ll do it on their schedule, not yours. That might mean:

  • A knock on your door at 6:00 a.m.
  • An arrest in your workplace parking lot, in front of colleagues or customers
  • A traffic stop that turns into an unexpected detention
  • An arrest in front of your children or family members

Beyond the personal humiliation, being picked up this way gives you zero control over timing, setting, or initial conditions. You won’t have had the chance to speak with an attorney. You won’t have arrangements made for bail. You’ll be processed through Broward County Jail on law enforcement’s timetable, which can mean sitting in a holding cell for 24–48 hours or longer before seeing a judge. And it will almost certainly be more traumatic than it needs to be.

Scenario 2: The “Walk-In” or Voluntary Surrender (The Smarter Option)

A voluntary surrender — sometimes called a “walk-in” or “walk-in capias” — is exactly what it sounds like: working with your attorney to arrange your surrender to the court or law enforcement in a controlled, dignified manner. This approach has significant advantages. Continue reading

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The phone call no parent ever wants to receive. Your child has been arrested. Your mind races. You don’t know what to do first — call someone, drive somewhere, stay calm for your other kids, or simply take a moment to try to breathe.Fort Lauderdale juvenile criminal defense attorney

Whatever you’re feeling right now — fear, confusion, anger, heartbreak — it’s valid. This is one of the hardest moments a family can face. But here’s what I want you to know before anything else: your child’s future is not defined by what happened today. The juvenile justice system in Florida exists, at least in theory, with rehabilitation in mind, not punishment. And with the right guidance, many young people who make serious mistakes go on to lead successful, fulfilling lives.

As a Fort Lauderdale juvenile criminal defense lawyer, I’ve walked many families through exactly this process. This guide is for you — the parent who just got that call and needs real, honest, plain-language information about what comes next in Broward County.

What Is the Juvenile Assessment Center (JAC)?

When a juvenile is arrested in Broward County, they are not typically taken to a standard adult jail or booking facility. Instead, they are transported to the Juvenile Assessment Center, located at 3029 SW 2nd Avenue in Fort Lauderdale. The JAC is the entry point for every juvenile who comes into contact with the Broward County juvenile justice system.

The JAC is a collaborative, multi-agency facility. Under Florida law, specifically Chapter 985, Florida Statutes — the Juvenile Justice Code — the Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) is responsible for receiving and processing arrested juveniles, assessing their needs, and determining an appropriate next step. The JAC is where that process begins.

Understanding what happens at the JAC, step by step, can help you stay calm, act strategically, and protect your child’s rights from the very first moment.

Step 1: Intake at the JAC

When law enforcement brings your child to the JAC, the intake process begins. Officers will transfer custody to JAC staff, and your child will be:

  • Fingerprinted and photographed — yes, even as a juvenile
  • Searched and have personal property inventoried
  • Medically screened for any physical or mental health needs
  • Assessed using a standardized risk and needs screening tool

This intake process is governed by § 985.14, Fla. Stat., which requires the DJJ to screen each child taken into custody to assess risk to public safety and the child’s needs for services.

What you should do right now: Try to locate your child. Call the JAC directly at (954) 357-5300. Staff can confirm whether your child is there and provide basic information. Do not wait to make that call — knowing your child’s whereabouts and status is step one.

Step 2: The Risk Assessment Instrument (RAI)

One of the most consequential things that happens at the JAC is the completion of the Risk Assessment Instrument (RAI), a standardized scoring tool used statewide under § 985.245, Fla. Stat. The RAI evaluates factors including: Continue reading

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If you’ve just been served with a temporary injunction in Broward County, you’re probably feeling a mixture of shock, anger, confusion, and fear — and that’s completely understandable. Being told you may have to leave your own home, that you can’t contact someone you care about, or that a judge made a serious legal decision about your life without you even being in the room is disorienting. You are not alone, and you are not without rights.Fort Lauderdale restraining order defense

As a Fort Lauderdale defense attorney who has represented countless clients in the injunction process, I want to walk you through exactly what is happening, what the critical 15-day window means for you, and what you absolutely must — and must not — do right now.

What Is a Florida Restraining Order (Injunction for Protection)?

In Florida, what most people call a “restraining order” is formally known as an Injunction for Protection. These are civil orders, but make no mistake: violating one is a criminal offense under Florida law.

Florida recognizes several types of injunctions for protection, governed primarily by Chapter 741, Florida Statutes (domestic violence) and Chapter 784, Florida Statutes (repeat violence, dating violence, sexual violence, and stalking). The most common type encountered in Broward County is the Domestic Violence Injunction, defined under § 741.30, Fla. Stat.

When a petitioner (the person requesting the order) files a petition, a judge reviews it ex parte — meaning without you present — and decides whether to issue a Temporary Injunction. That decision can be made in minutes, based entirely on the petitioner’s account of events.

The 15-Day Window: Understanding the Timeline That Will Shape Your Future

Here is where things get critically important.

Under § 741.30(5)(c), Fla. Stat., when a court issues a temporary injunction, it must schedule a full hearing within 15 days. This hearing is your first real opportunity to appear before a judge, present your side of the story, challenge the petitioner’s allegations, and argue against the entry of a Final Injunction — which can last indefinitely.

This 15-day window is not a formality. It is the most important legal moment you will face in this process.

If you do nothing — if you fail to appear, fail to prepare, or fail to retain a Fort Lauderdale defense attorney — the court can and very likely will enter a permanent injunction against you by default. That order can:

  • Permanently bar you from your own home
  • Prohibit you from contacting your children
  • Prevent you from owning or possessing firearms under both Florida and federal law (18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(8))
  • Affect your employment, professional licensing, and housing applications
  • Follow you on background checks for the rest of your life

Can They Really Kick Me Out of My Own Home?

Yes — at least temporarily, and potentially permanently if you don’t act.

Under § 741.30(6)(a)(2), Fla. Stat., a court issuing a temporary injunction may order the respondent (that’s you) to vacate the shared residence, regardless of who owns or leases the property. This is one of the most jarring aspects of the law for clients to accept. Even if your name is on the mortgage or the lease, the temporary injunction can require you to leave immediately.

The court can also award the petitioner temporary exclusive use and possession of the home, make temporary child custody determinations, and issue other emergency relief — all before you’ve had a chance to say a single word.

This is why what happens at that 15-day hearing is so consequential.

Your Rights as a Respondent

Despite how powerless the initial service of a temporary injunction can make you feel, you have important legal rights throughout this process: Continue reading

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An airport arrest feels different than an arrest anywhere else. At Fort Lauderdale–Hollywood International Airport (FLL), everything is faster, louder, and more public. You are surrounded by uniformed officers, TSA personnel, cameras, and crowds that keep moving while your world suddenly stops. Even when the underlying allegation is a mistake or a misunderstanding, the airport environment can turn routine travel stress into a criminal case in minutes.

If you or a family member has been arrested at FLL, the most important thing to know is this: what you do in the first few hours can shape everything that follows. That includes what you say, what you consent to, and how quickly you get experienced defense counsel involved.

Why Airport Arrests Escalate So Quickly

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Florida’s waterways, hunting grounds, and natural preserves attract millions of residents and visitors each year. Whether you’re fishing off the coast of Fort Lauderdale, hunting in the Everglades, or enjoying a day on your boat in Broward County, encounters with Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) officers are more common than many people realize. Unfortunately, what many people don’t understand is that FWC citations carry consequences that can be far more severe and harder to contest than typical traffic violations. FWC violation defense lawyer Fort Lauderdale

If you’ve received an FWC citation in Broward County or surrounding areas, you may be facing criminal charges, substantial fines, loss of licenses and permits, and even jail time. The stakes are high, and the legal terrain is treacherous for those who attempt to navigate it without experienced legal representation from a Fort Lauderdale criminal defense lawyer with a track record of success in FWC violation cases.

Why FWC Officers Have Broader Authority Than You Think

Many people mistakenly believe that FWC officers operate under the same constraints as municipal police officers or that wildlife violations are similar to traffic tickets. This is not correct.

Expanded Search and Seizure Powers

Unlike traditional law enforcement, FWC officers possess extraordinary search authority when it comes to enforcing fish and wildlife laws. Under Florida Statute § 379.3311, FWC officers are granted the power to:

  • Stop and board any vessel without a warrant to inspect for compliance with fish and wildlife regulations.
  • Search coolers, livewells, storage compartments, and cargo areas without your consent or probable cause.
  • Inspect hunting and fishing equipment, licenses, and permits at any time.
  • Examine any wildlife, fish, or game in your possession to verify species, size, and bag limits.
  • Enter private property where hunting or fishing occurs to enforce wildlife laws.

These warrantless search provisions have been upheld by Florida courts under the legal theory that individuals engaging in regulated activities like hunting and fishing have a reduced expectation of privacy. In practical terms, this means that simply being on the water or in the field gives FWC officers legal grounds to conduct searches that would be unconstitutional if performed by other law enforcement agencies.

What does this mean for you? It means that if you have undersized fish in your cooler, over-limit catches, improperly tagged game, or illegal equipment aboard your vessel, FWC officers can find it—and they don’t need your permission or a search warrant to do so.

“I Didn’t Know the Limit” Is Never a Valid Defense

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If you’re involved in a domestic dispute in Southeast Florida, you’ll need to understand that a number of the questions police ask at the scene are part of a risk assessment that is mandated by law. The answers could determine whether you spend the night in jail, are granted bond, and how aggressively prosecutors pursue your case. Florida Senate Bill 1224, known as the Gabby Petito Act, went into effect last year. It requires law enforcement officers conduct a standardized lethality assessments at every domestic violence scene. While these protocols are designed with victim safety in mind, they create a minefield for anyone accused of domestic violence, and most people don’t realize their answers are being scored until it’s too late. police badge Fort Lauderdale criminal defense lawyer

Fort Lauderdale criminal defense lawyers serving Broward County and surrounding areas have seen firsthand how these assessments to build stronger prosecution cases and justify harsher bond conditions. Understanding what’s at stake and when to exercise your constitutional right to remain silent could be the difference between walking away from charges and facing years of legal consequences.

What Is the Lethality Assessment Program?

The Lethality Assessment Program (LAP) is a standardized screening tool that law enforcement officers use to evaluate the risk of future violence or homicide in domestic violence situations. Originally developed by the Maryland Network Against Domestic Violence, LAP has been adopted by 33 states, including Florida, where it became mandatory statewide following its passage in 2024.

Named after Gabby Petito, the 22-year-old woman whose 2021 death brought national attention to domestic violence warning signs, the Gabby Petito Act requires all Florida law enforcement agencies to implement LAP or a similar evidence-based lethality assessment tool. The law changed how domestic violence calls are handled across the state.

The assessment consists of about a dozen standardized questions that officers ask the alleged victim at the scene. These questions are designed to identify risk factors associated with domestic violence homicide, including strangulation, threats with weapons, escalating violence, stalking behavior, and access to firearms. Based on the alleged victim’s responses, officers assign a risk score that categorizes the situation as high danger or lower risk.

While the stated purpose is victim protection, connecting high-risk victims with domestic violence advocates and resources. However, the practical effect extends far beyond support services. These assessments are documented in police reports, shared with prosecutors, and frequently referenced at bond hearings and pretrial proceedings.

Florida Lethality Assessment Questions

Understanding what police are actually assessing during these encounters is crucial. While the exact wording may vary slightly between jurisdictions, the Maryland LAP, which serves as the model for Florida’s implementation, includes questions such as:

  • Has the violence increased in severity or frequency over the past year?
  • Has the alleged abuser ever used a weapon against you or threatened you with a weapon?
  • Do you believe the alleged abuser is capable of killing you?
  • Has the alleged abuser ever tried to choke or strangle you?
  • Is the alleged abuser violently or constantly jealous, or does he/she control most of your daily activities?
  • Have you left or separated from the alleged abuser after living together?
  • Is the alleged abuser unemployed?
  • Has the alleged abuser ever tried to kill himself/herself?
  • Does the abuser have a gun or can he/she get one easily?
  • Has the abuser ever threatened or tried to kill your children?
  • Do you have a child with someone other than the alleged abuser?

These aren’t casual questions. Each one corresponds to validated risk factors for intimate partner homicide identified through extensive research. A yes answer to even a few of these questions can elevate the case to “high danger,” triggering immediate intervention, mandatory advocacy referrals, and, critically, documentation that will follow the accused throughout the criminal justice process.

How Lethality Scores Impact Your Case

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Fort Lauderdale is built for a good time. The beach is walkable, the nightlife is packed, and you can go from poolside to rooftop to late night tacos without ever moving your car. That convenience is also why visitors get arrested here so often. A quick weekend can turn into a booking number when alcohol, crowds, rideshares, and unfamiliar rules collide.

Arrests involving tourists tend to cluster around the same high traffic places: Fort Lauderdale Beach and A1A, Las Olas Boulevard and Las Olas Beach, Himmarshee Village and the bars near the Riverwalk, and popular shopping and restaurant areas like The Galleria at Fort Lauderdale. If you are visiting and you get charged, the case is still real life. You may have a flight home, a job that runs background checks, professional licensing concerns, or immigration issues. The court does not pause your case because you are from out of town.

Why Tourist Arrests Happen In The Same Few Areas

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You’re running late for your flight. You grab your favorite carry-on bag (the same one you took to the shooting range last weekend) and rush to Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL). As you place it on the TSA conveyor belt, your heart sinks. The screener’s face changes. Security is called. Within minutes, you’re in handcuffs, facing a third-degree felony charge for carrying a concealed firearm.airport TSA pre-check Fort Lauderdale gun defense lawyer accidental Fort Lauderdale airport gun possession

The words you utter —”I honestly forgot it was in there”— may be the truth. But in Florida’s criminal justice system, that honest mistake can still result in up to five years in prison, a permanent criminal record, and the loss of your Second Amendment rights. Without experienced legal counsel from a Fort Lauderdale criminal defense attorney who understands the nuances of Florida’s gun laws and airport security violations, your honest mistake could destroy your future.

When Forgetfulness Becomes a Felony

Florida Statutes § 790.06(12)(a) makes it a third-degree felony for any person to possess or carry a concealed firearm in any airport terminal. This statute makes no explicit exception for accidental possession or lack of intent. On its face, the law appears to be a strict liability offense, meaning the state need only prove you possessed the weapon, not that you intended to commit a crime. Continue reading

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Facing a Broward domestic violence arrest is one of the most stressful and consequential situations a person can encounter. The allegations alone can upend your life, threatening your freedom, your reputation, your career, and your relationships with your children. In many cases, the accusations are the primary evidence against you. When the credibility of the accuser becomes central to your defense, you need a criminal defense attorney who understands not just the law, but the delicate balance required to challenge testimony while maintaining the respect and sensitivity these cases demand.Broward domestic violence arrest lawyer

At The Ansara Law Firm, we recognize that domestic violence allegations in Broward County require a defense strategy that is both aggressive and tactful. Our approach combines comprehensive legal knowledge with a deep understanding of local court procedures, and perhaps most importantly, the ability to navigate the emotional and evidentiary complexities that define these cases.

Understanding Domestic Violence Charges in Florida

Florida takes domestic violence seriously, and the legal consequences reflect that commitment. Under Florida Statute § 741.28, domestic violence is defined as any assault, aggravated assault, battery, aggravated battery, sexual assault, sexual battery, stalking, aggravated stalking, kidnapping, false imprisonment, or any criminal offense resulting in physical injury or death of one family or household member by another.

The term “family or household member” includes:

  • Spouses or former spouses
  • Persons related by blood or marriage
  • Persons who are presently residing together or who have resided together in the past
  • Persons who are parents of a child in common (regardless of whether they have been married or lived together)

Even a misdemeanor domestic battery charge under Florida Statute § 784.03 carries serious consequences:

  • Up to one year in jail
  • Up to one year of probation
  • Up to $1,000 in fines
  • Mandatory completion of a Batterer’s Intervention Program (26 weeks minimum)
  • Permanent criminal record
  • Loss of firearm rights
  • Immigration consequences for non-citizens

Felony domestic violence charges carry even harsher penalties, including years in state prison, substantial fines, and lifelong collateral consequences.

The Challenge: When the Accuser’s Statement Is the Primary Evidence

In many domestic violence cases, the prosecution’s case rests heavily—sometimes entirely—on the alleged victim’s testimony. Unlike other criminal cases where physical evidence, surveillance footage, or independent witnesses may be abundant, domestic violence incidents often occur in private settings. This means that the credibility of the accuser becomes the linchpin of the prosecution’s case.

The High Stakes of Credibility

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When law enforcement responds to a domestic violence call in Fort Lauderdale, FL, officers often have no choice but to make an arrest — even if the alleged victim doesn’t want to press charges. This is due to Florida’s mandatory arrest statute, one of the most stringent in the nation. Understanding how this law works is critical if you or someone you love faces domestic violence allegations.Fort Lauderdale criminal defense lawyer domestic violence

As a Fort Lauderdale criminal defense lawyer with extensive experience in domestic violence cases, I’ve seen firsthand how these mandatory arrest laws can transform a family dispute into a criminal case with serious, long-lasting consequences. Here, we’ll explain Florida’s mandatory arrest requirements, what they mean for those accused, and why experienced legal representation is essential.

What Is Florida’s Mandatory Arrest Law?

Florida Statute § 741.29 establishes the state’s mandatory arrest policy for domestic violence incidents. This law doesn’t remove the probable cause requirement, but it does compel officers with probable cause to believe an act of domestic violence has been committed to make an arrest, regardless of whether the alleged victim wants to pursue charges.

The statute defines domestic violence under Florida Statute § 741.28 as any assault, aggravated assault, battery, aggravated battery, sexual assault, sexual battery, stalking, aggravated stalking, kidnapping, false imprisonment, or any criminal offense resulting in physical injury or death of one family or household member by another.

“Family or household members” includes:

  • Spouses or former spouses
  • Persons related by blood or marriage
  • Persons currently residing together as a family or who have resided together in the past
  • Persons who are parents of a child in common, regardless of whether they have been married or have lived together

When Must Officers Make an Arrest?

Under Florida Statute § 741.29(2), a law enforcement officer must arrest and take a person into custody when:

  • The officer has probable cause to believe that the person has committed an act of domestic violence
  • The officer reasonably believes that the person poses a threat to the victim or others

Importantly, the officer does not need to witness the violence firsthand. The statute specifically states that the arrest may be made even if the violence did not occur in the officer’s presence, provided probable cause exists. This is a significant departure from arrest requirements for many other types of misdemeanor offenses.

The “Primary Aggressor” Determination

One of the most critical aspects of Florida Statute § 741.29 is the requirement that officers identify the “primary aggressor” rather than simply arresting both parties when mutual violence is alleged. Florida law recognizes that in some domestic disputes, both parties may have engaged in physical contact, but one person is the predominant aggressor.

Florida Statute § 741.29(4) requires officers to consider several factors when determining the primary aggressor:

  • The history of domestic violence between the parties
  • The relative severity of injuries inflicted on each person
  • The likelihood of future injury to each person
  • Whether one of the parties acted in self-defense
  • Prior calls for assistance from the household

As a Broward criminal defense lawyer, I’ve handled numerous cases where the “wrong” person was arrested because officers were flawed in their primary aggressor analysis. This is why it’s critical to have an experienced domestic violence defense attorney who can challenge the basis for the arrest and investigate what really happened. Continue reading

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