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Federal Criminal Defense in the Southern District of Florida
Our office is in Tampa, but federal cases don’t always stay close to home. If you are under federal investigation or charged in South Florida or on the Treasure Coast, Attorney Ron Frey of The Frey Law Firm, LLC is admitted to practice in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida and can represent you there.
Before you speak with agents or prosecutors, call: (813) 775-2276 or toll-free (844) 766-3739. Your consultation is free and confidential. Rapid response, 24/7.
The Five Divisions of the Southern District
The Southern District of Florida covers nine counties and has five divisions, each with its own courthouse:
| Division | Courthouse | Counties served |
|---|---|---|
| Miami | Wilkie D. Ferguson, Jr. U.S. Courthouse (with the C. Clyde Atkins U.S. Courthouse and the James Lawrence King Federal Justice Building), Miami | Miami-Dade |
| Fort Lauderdale | U.S. Federal Building and Courthouse, Fort Lauderdale | Broward |
| West Palm Beach | Paul G. Rogers Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse, West Palm Beach | Palm Beach |
| Fort Pierce | Alto Lee Adams, Sr. U.S. Courthouse, Fort Pierce | Highlands, Indian River, Martin, Okeechobee, St. Lucie |
| Key West | Sidney M. Aronovitz U.S. Courthouse, Key West | Monroe |
One detail surprises people. Highlands and Okeechobee Counties are inland, closer to central Florida than to Miami, but they belong to the Southern District, so federal cases from Sebring or Okeechobee are heard in Fort Pierce. Neighboring Polk and Hardee Counties are in the Middle District, and their cases go to Tampa. Which federal court hears your case depends on the county, not on how far it is from Miami.
What Makes a Federal Case Different
A federal case follows its own rules from the first contact.
- Different investigators. Federal cases are built by agencies such as the FBI, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Secret Service, often over months, before anyone is arrested.
- Different prosecutors. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida brings federal charges in these nine counties, not the local State Attorney.
- Different early warnings. Many people first learn about a federal case through a search warrant, a grand jury subpoena, a target letter, or agents who show up wanting to “just talk.”
- Different hearings. After a federal arrest, a person goes before a U.S. Magistrate Judge, and the government may ask for detention until trial. That detention hearing often shapes the rest of the case.
- Different sentencing. Federal sentences are shaped by the federal sentencing guidelines, a system separate from Florida’s.
Some conduct can be charged in state court, federal court, or both. Talking to a lawyer early can matter before that decision is made.
Computer, Internet, and AI Cases in South Florida Federal Court
Computer and internet crime cases are a major part of Attorney Frey’s practice, and many of the people involved have never been in trouble before. These cases usually turn on digital evidence: phones, laptops, cloud and social media accounts, and records that agents get from technology companies.
Artificial intelligence has added a new kind of federal investigation. Federal laws on sexual depictions of minors, the TAKE IT DOWN Act, and wire fraud and identity theft laws can all apply when AI tools are involved, and courts are still working out how. These investigations often start with a platform report or a records request, long before anyone is contacted.
In these cases, Attorney Frey looks hard at how the evidence was collected, whether the searches were lawful, what the forensic facts actually show, and whether the government can prove what it claims. Learn more:
- Computer and internet crimes
- AI-related crimes
- Help for first-time offenders
- For national information on internet crime defense, visit our dedicated site, InternetCrime.com.
Attorney Frey also defends federal white collar and financial crimes, drug charges, and sex offenses. See our main federal offenses page for more.
A Tampa Lawyer in South Florida Federal Court
Attorney Ron Frey has over 20 years of experience defending people in state and federal criminal cases. He is admitted to practice before the U.S. District Courts for the Southern and Middle Districts of Florida and the Supreme Court of the United States. Federal practice runs on the same federal rules across Florida’s districts, though each court also has its own local rules and procedures.
Distance doesn’t have to slow things down. Most first conversations happen by phone or video, and when the situation calls for it, Attorney Frey comes to you. No lawyer can promise a result, but you should understand where you stand before you speak with agents or prosecutors.
Call Before You Answer Questions
Your consultation is free and confidential. Call (813) 775-2276 or toll-free (844) 766-3739. Rapid response, 24/7. Learn more about Attorney Ron Frey.
This page provides general information only and is not legal advice. Federal law and court procedures can change, and how they apply depends on the facts of each case. Reading this page or contacting The Frey Law Firm, LLC does not create an attorney-client relationship.