Unincorporated Broward County

Are you facing criminal charges in the unincorporated areas of Broward County, Florida? If so, you need a seasoned Broward County criminal defense lawyer who understands the unique dynamics of your community. At The Ansara Law Firm, we are committed to providing unparalleled legal representation for our clients.

Criminal offenses are serious matters. Whether you’re accused of domestic violence, drunk driving, probation violations, or a violent crime, the penalties you face could impact the rest of your life. A criminal defense attorney who is familiar with the local legal landscape can give you a full picture of all your options - so you can proceed with the best next step for your situation. The State of Florida - and the 17th Judicial Circuit in particular - takes an especially tough stance on crime. Without a private defense attorney fiercely advocating for you, prosecutors have little incentive to cut you a break.

Know too that time is of the essence. The more time you give prosecutors to gather evidence and build a case against you, the worse your odds for successfully negotiating, reducing, or dropping your charges. Sometimes plea bargains are in your best interest, but it’s not uncommon for prosecutors to strong-arm unrepresented defendants into “deals” that are anything but.

A common misconception is that every criminal defendant in Florida is entitled to a free defense lawyer. That only applies if you’re both indigent and facing jail time. That means it almost never applies for misdemeanors and won’t even apply to all felonies. But sometimes jail isn’t the worst or longest-lasting outcome you can face. In addition to hefty fines, conviction can also result in:

• Stringent probation terms
• Permanent protection orders
• Suspended driver’s license
• Forfeiture of firearm rights
• Convictions that stay on your permanent record, with adverse impacts to child custody arrangements, voting rights, and housing and employment opportunities.
  

Whether you’re facing charges for domestic violence (F.S. 741.28), drunk driving (F.S. 316.193), theft (F.S. 812.014), traffic offenses (F.S. 316.650), weapons offenses (F.S. 790.001-401), drug crimes (F.S. 893.13), probation-related problems (F.S. 948.06), white collar crimes, or violent crimes, we can help. Our team has a proven track record of successful defense of clients in unincorporated Broward County facing a wide range of criminal charges - both misdemeanors and felonies. 

As longtime Broward County criminal defense lawyers recognize,  there’s no single place or community that encompasses Unincorporated Broward County. Nearly a dozen communities are classified under this umbrella - each with their own unique draws and downsides (which includes crime trends).

These communities include:

• Boulevard Gardens
• Broadview Park
• Broward Estates
• Franklin Park
• Country Acres (Godfrey Road)
• Hillsboro Pines
• Hillsboro Ranches
• Pine Island Ridge
• Roosevelt Gardens
• United Ranches/Rio Ranches
• Washington Park

It’s possible these areas could be annexed into local cities at some point; that’s always been the long-term goal. However, for now, they are simply small enclaves that belong solely to the county.

In South Florida, these unincorporated areas are generally policed by the county sheriff’s office, sometimes with assistance from neighboring city police departments.

The Broward County Sheriff’s Office is the largest fully-accredited sheriff’s office in the country, and its Department of Detention is the 13th largest in the entire country. Approximately 42,000 people are booked into BGSO jails every year. The average daily population in Broward County jails is around 3,500. The Department of Community Programs, which oversees everything from probation to pretrial services to in-custody behavioral issues, has a caseload of approximately 12,000 daily. In such a large system, defendants are unfortunately just a number. When you hire a private Broward County criminal defense lawyer, your case can get the attention it deserves.

State-level felony criminal cases are processed through the 17th Judicial Circuit trial courts. Depending on the circumstances, some cases may be funneled through the Broward County Drug Court, Felony Mental Health Court (the first of its kind in the nation), or the Juvenile Assessment Center. If your state-level criminal case is appealed, it will be weighed by Florida’s Fourth District Court of Appeals.

When your future and freedom are at stake, you need a knowledgeable and trusted local legal advocate in your corner. This is increasingly important in an age when police and prosecutors have the edge when it comes to advances in technology to establish their case. A perfect example of this was the case of Florida v. Martin in 2019. In that case, Broward County sheriff’s deputies arrested a man for murder after connecting him to the crime scene using a cell-site simulator. This differs from cell site location information that provides general location data, which  phone companies sometimes provide to police in major investigations. Here, deputies used a simulator device that essentially transforms a phone into a tracking device and gives a more precise location. When police used this data to locate the suspect and search his car, they found other evidence connected to the crime. The defendant moved to suppress this evidence, arguing use of the simulator was a violation of privacy rights under the 4th Amendment. The trial court agreed - and the 4th DCA affirmed, thus depriving the state of key evidence against him. That’s the sort of difference a good Broward County criminal defense lawyer can make.

We have the experience, the skill, and the past successes to confidently provide robust representation, protect your rights, and fight for the best possible outcome.

Visit our Criminal Defense FAQs page for answers to general questions.

If you have been arrested in Broward County and need to secure immediate legal representation, call The Ansara Law Firm in Broward County at (954) 761-4011.