Fort Lauderdale Criminal Defense Lawyer

A criminal charge changes everything quickly. Whether law enforcement stopped you on I-95, executed a search at your home, or served you with a warrant near Las Olas Boulevard, the decisions you make in the hours that follow will shape how your case unfolds. This is not the time for guesswork.

Michael White, P.A. is a Fort Lauderdale criminal defense lawyer who built his firm on one principle: every client deserves direct access to an attorney who understands both sides of the courtroom. Michael White spent years as a Broward County Assistant State Attorney before building a defense practice focused on preparation, strategy, and honest counsel.

Charged with a Crime in Fort Lauderdale? Here’s What You Need to Know

Being charged with a criminal offense in Florida sets a formal legal process in motion. From arraignment to potential jury trials, the criminal procedure in Broward County moves on a fixed schedule, and the state moves quickly. Your constitutional rights attach from the moment of arrest, which means they are at risk of being compromised before you ever speak to a lawyer.

The most important thing you can do is remain silent. Florida law does not require you to answer questions beyond identifying yourself in certain situations. Anything you say to law enforcement can be used as evidence against you. Your right to remain silent and your right to legal representation are protected under both the Florida and U.S. constitutions, and invoking them is not an admission of guilt.

A conviction can cost you your professional license, your job, your housing, and in some cases your freedom. Understanding those potential consequences matters just as much as understanding the charge itself.

Why Your Choice of Criminal Lawyer Matters

Not every criminal attorney approaches a case the same way. Some offices prioritize volume. Others rely on a one-size-fits-all approach to plea negotiations without fully evaluating the strength of the state’s evidence. The attorney you choose affects how your case is investigated, how motions are argued, how witnesses are cross-examined, and what resolution is ultimately possible.

Criminal cases in Fort Lauderdale are handled in the 17th Judicial Circuit. Prosecutors there are experienced and well-resourced. Facing them without a criminal defense attorney who understands how they evaluate evidence, what they look for in a plea deal, and when they are willing to negotiate puts you at a disadvantage from the start.

Why Public Defenders Are Not Always Enough

Public defenders are dedicated attorneys doing important work, but they carry enormous caseloads. A public defender assigned to your case may have limited time to conduct an independent investigation, review all available evidence, or prepare fully for trial. If you have the ability to retain private counsel, that investment of time and resources can have a material effect on how your criminal matter is handled from beginning to end.

Why Hire Michael White as Your Fort Lauderdale Criminal Defense Attorney

Michael White, P.A. is not a high-volume intake operation. When you hire Michael White, you work directly with him throughout the entire process, from the initial evaluation through resolution. That level of personal involvement is not common, and it matters when your liberty is at stake.

Michael White earned his B.A. Cum Laude from Tulane University and his J.D. with Honors from George Washington University Law School. He is admitted to practice in Florida, New York, and the Southern and Middle Districts of Florida, which means he handles both state and federal cases.

What Michael White brings to your defense:

• Former Broward County Assistant State Attorney with firsthand knowledge of how the state builds and evaluates cases
• Former General Counsel to the Broward County Police Benevolent Association, with deep insight into law enforcement operations
• Prior experience as a financial analyst at Deutsche Bank and Nomura Securities, providing a genuine foundation for federal white collar defense
• Admitted to practice before Florida state courts, New York courts, and federal courts in the Southern and Middle Districts of Florida
• Over twenty years of criminal defense experience in the Fort Lauderdale area and throughout South Florida

You Have a Former Broward County Assistant State Attorney on Your Side

Michael White spent years as a prosecutor in Broward County before transitioning to defense. He knows how prosecutors weigh evidence when deciding whether to pursue felony offenses versus lesser charges, how they prepare witnesses, and how they evaluate which cases are worth taking to trial. That insight directly informs the defense strategy he builds for each client.

Michael White also served as General Counsel to the Broward County Police Benevolent Association, representing law enforcement officers in disciplinary and legal matters. That role gave him a detailed understanding of police department policies, officer training standards, and how law enforcement officers document their actions. When a defense challenge turns on the credibility of a police report or the legality of a stop, that background provides real analytical depth.

Criminal Defense Cases We Handle in Fort Lauderdale

Michael White, P.A. handles a broad range of criminal cases in state and federal courts across South Florida, including:

• Drunk Driving Defense including DUI charges, DUI manslaughter, and cases involving a suspended license, as well as boating under the influence
• Federal Criminal Defense including federal crimes across the Southern District
• Drug Crimes including drug trafficking, controlled substance possession, and distribution charges
• Violent Crimes including aggravated assault and related felony offenses
• Sex Crimes including charges requiring registration and carrying long-term consequences
• White Collar and Economic Crimes including embezzlement, wire fraud, and securities-related charges
• Domestic Violence charges in Broward County and surrounding courts
• Theft and Property Crimes including burglary and property damage charges, as well as accusations of organized retail theft
• Weapons and Firearms Charges under Florida and federal law
• Juvenile Offenses handled with attention to a young person’s long-term record
• Probation Violations in Broward, Miami-Dade, and Palm Beach counties
• Post-Conviction Relief and Appeals, including record sealing and expungement

State Charges vs. Federal Criminal Charges

Not every criminal case is prosecuted in the same court. While many offenses are handled in Florida’s state courts, others are investigated and prosecuted in the federal system. Knowing the difference matters because the procedures, resources, and potential penalties can vary significantly.

State criminal cases are typically investigated by agencies such as the Fort Lauderdale Police Department or the Broward Sheriff’s Office and prosecuted by the Broward State Attorney’s Office. Federal cases, by contrast, are often investigated by agencies such as the FBI, DEA, IRS, or Homeland Security Investigations and prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office in the Southern District of Florida.

Federal prosecutions frequently involve more extensive investigations, larger volumes of evidence, and sentencing under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines. Michael White is admitted to practice in both Florida state courts and the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida. Whether your case is being prosecuted at the state or federal level, he has the experience to evaluate the government’s evidence, identify weaknesses in its case, and build a defense strategy tailored to the court where your case will be heard.

White Collar Defense Backed by Real Finance Experience

Before law school, Michael White worked as a financial analyst at Deutsche Bank and Nomura Securities. That background directly informs how he approaches economic crimes in Fort Lauderdale and the surrounding region.

Federal white collar investigations often involve thousands of documents, intricate financial records, and regulatory frameworks that many criminal defense attorneys are not equipped to analyze independently. Michael White can read a trading ledger, understand a wire transfer sequence, and identify where the government’s financial narrative may have gaps. For clients facing embezzlement charges, securities fraud allegations, or federal wire fraud investigations, that foundation matters. Federal prosecutors in the Southern District bring these cases with significant resources, and an effective defense requires the same level of financial literacy.

What Happens After an Arrest in Broward County?

The criminal justice process begins almost immediately after an arrest. While every case is different, most criminal cases in Broward County follow the same general path. Understanding what comes next can help you make informed decisions and avoid mistakes that could affect your defense.

After an arrest, you will typically appear before a judge for a first appearance hearing, where issues such as bond and the conditions of your release are addressed. If charges move forward, the court schedules an arraignment, during which you enter a plea. From there, the prosecution and defense exchange evidence, file motions when appropriate, and begin evaluating whether the case can be resolved through negotiation or should proceed to trial.

The choices made during each stage of the process can influence the outcome of your case. Having an experienced criminal defense attorney involved early allows for a thorough review of the evidence, the identification of constitutional issues, and the development of a defense strategy before critical deadlines.

How Michael White Builds Your Strong Defense Strategy

Every criminal defense begins with an honest evaluation of the evidence. Michael White reviews every document and every report before deciding on a direction. That preparation shapes everything that follows.

Constitutional violations in Florida criminal cases are among the most powerful defense tools available. If law enforcement conducted an illegal stop, lacked probable cause for a search, or obtained evidence in violation of your Fourth Amendment rights, that evidence may be suppressible. The Fourth Amendment’s protection against unreasonable searches and seizures applies to every person regardless of the charges they face, and any violation is worth examining closely.

Cross-examining witnesses is another area where prosecutorial experience provides a measurable advantage. Michael White knows where inconsistencies emerge, what officers typically document versus what they leave out, and how to present those gaps effectively. Where a negotiated resolution serves a client’s best interests, he evaluates those options with the same rigor he applies to trial preparation. A favorable plea deal is sometimes the most strategic outcome available given the facts and the law.

For clients facing a DUI charge, traffic-related criminal offenses, or charges that threaten a professional license, the defense strategy must account for consequences well beyond jail time. Michael White evaluates the full picture before advising any client on how to proceed.