Federal criminal cases in Broward County are not heard at the county courthouse — they go to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida, Fort Lauderdale Division, at the Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse, 299 E Broward Blvd. The prosecutors are Assistant U.S. Attorneys, the investigating agencies are federal (FBI, DEA, ATF, HSI, Secret Service), and the rules, evidence, and sentencing framework are entirely different from state court.
The pre-indictment window is everything
Most federal defendants first learn they're under scrutiny through a target letter or a grand-jury subpoena. That moment — before any indictment — is the highest-leverage point in the entire case. With counsel engaged early, it's possible to present exculpatory facts to the U.S. Attorney's Office, narrow the scope of a potential charge, negotiate a resolution, or in some cases head off an indictment entirely. Waiting until after charges are filed forfeits most of that leverage.
Where federal exposure comes from in South Florida
The Southern District of Florida is one of the busiest federal districts in the country. Common Fort Lauderdale-area federal matters include wire and mail fraud, PPP/EIDL and healthcare fraud, identity theft, drug-trafficking and conspiracy charges, and firearm offenses. Many begin as state investigations that get adopted federally because of the potential sentence.
Sentencing is a calculation — and it's contestable
Federal outcomes are governed by the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and, frequently, statutory mandatory minimums, with no parole. The guideline range depends on the offense level, criminal-history category, and adjustments for role, acceptance of responsibility, the safety valve, and cooperation. A meaningful part of federal defense is getting that calculation right and contesting the government's version where it overstates exposure.
Carolle El-Naffy is admitted to all three Florida federal districts and to the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals, and defends federal cases in the Fort Lauderdale Division from investigation through sentencing and appeal.
"Federal cases are a different animal from state court — the pre-indictment window is your highest-leverage moment, and most people don't even know they're a target until it's almost gone. If you've received a target letter or a grand-jury subpoena out of the Fort Lauderdale federal courthouse, the time to call is now, not after the indictment."
Recent Fort Lauderdale case results
Charge
Federal wire fraud investigation — S.D. Fla.
Outcome
No charges filed after pre-indictment defense presentation.
Charge
Federal firearm charge — Fort Lauderdale Division
Outcome
Suppression of the search; case resolved well below the guidelines.
Charge
Federal drug conspiracy — Southern District of Florida
Outcome
Mandatory minimum avoided through safety-valve and cooperation strategy.
Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Every case is fact-specific.
Where Fort Lauderdale cases are heard
Broward County Courthouse (17th Judicial Circuit)
201 SE 6th St, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
All felony arraignments and trials for Fort Lauderdale arrests are heard at the Broward County Courthouse downtown. First appearance / bond hearings are held daily before a magistrate at the Broward County Main Jail (555 SE 1st Ave) within 24 hours of arrest.
Arresting agency: Fort Lauderdale Police Department (1300 W Broward Blvd)
Fort Lauderdale Federal Crimes — Frequently Asked Questions
›Where are Fort Lauderdale federal cases heard?
Federal criminal cases arising in Broward County are handled in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida, Fort Lauderdale Division, at the Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse, 299 E Broward Blvd, Fort Lauderdale. These are entirely separate courts from the Broward County Courthouse — different judges, different prosecutors (Assistant U.S. Attorneys), and different rules and sentencing guidelines.
›I got a target letter. Am I already charged?
No — a target letter means the U.S. Attorney's Office considers you a likely defendant but has not yet indicted. This is the most important window in a federal case. A defense attorney can engage the prosecutor before charges, present exculpatory information, negotiate the scope of any charge, and sometimes prevent an indictment altogether. Acting during this period is far more valuable than reacting after.
›How is federal sentencing different from state court?
Federal sentences are driven by the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and, in many cases, by mandatory minimums set by statute. There is no parole in the federal system. Outcomes turn on the guideline calculation, criminal-history category, and factors like acceptance of responsibility, role in the offense, the safety valve, and cooperation. Getting that calculation right — and contesting it where it's wrong — is central to the defense.
›Do I need a lawyer admitted to federal court?
Yes. Federal practice requires admission to the Southern District of Florida and familiarity with its procedures. Carolle El-Naffy is admitted to all three Florida federal districts and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit, and handles federal matters in the Fort Lauderdale Division directly.