Arrests in Miami
The City of Miami has its own police department, headquartered at 400 NW 2nd Avenue downtown, about 23 miles straight-line from Adam’s office. The Florida Highway Patrol’s Troop E, which covers Miami-Dade County, also makes traffic arrests.
Whoever makes the arrest, a person arrested in Miami-Dade is taken to the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center (TGK) at 7000 NW 41 Street for booking, which can take several hours. Bond information may not be available until booking is done. Anyone still held then sees a judge at first appearance, which is normally held at the Richard E. Gerstein Justice Building.
Miami cases in court
- Felonies are heard by circuit court judges at the Gerstein Justice Building, 1351 NW 12th Street, about 1.3 miles from police headquarters.
- Misdemeanors and criminal traffic charges, including DUI, are heard by county court judges. They sit at the Gerstein building and at branch courthouses around the county. Your paperwork names the courthouse and the division judge.
- Prosecution is handled by the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office, from the E.R. Graham Building at 1350 NW 12th Avenue.
- Federal charges brought in Miami are heard in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida, whose Miami courthouses include the Wilkie D. Ferguson, Jr. U.S. Courthouse at 400 North Miami Avenue. Adam is admitted in that court. See federal criminal defense.
DUI arrests in Miami
A Miami DUI starts two cases at once, a criminal charge and a license suspension. The Bureau of Administrative Reviews office for Miami-Dade is at 401 NW 2nd Avenue, on the same block as Miami police headquarters, but the state lists it as temporarily closed to the public. You do not need to visit; the request for a hearing can be sent by email. The deadline is 10 days from the arrest. See the 10-day rule and DUI defense.
The Miami-Dade State Attorney runs a DUI diversion program called Back on Track. Prosecutors decide whether a first-time DUI defendant is eligible, based on criminal history, driving history and the facts of the arrest. Adam can tell you whether it is worth asking about in your case.
How Adam can help
Adam handles DUI, domestic violence, drug charges, juvenile cases and other criminal charges for people arrested in Miami. When you call (954) 294-9372, you talk to Adam, day or night. He has one office, in downtown Fort Lauderdale, and meets clients there by appointment.
See also Miami-Dade County.
