Ensuring justice and due process for persons accused of a crime; fostering the profession’s integrity, independence, and expertise; promoting the proper and fair administration of criminal justice.
The Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (FACDL) is the only
statewide association of lawyers in Florida devoted exclusively to serving all segments of the defense bar. According to the mission statement of the Miami chapter, our mission is to preserve the adversarial justice system: maintain and foster independent and able criminal defense lawyers, and ensure justice and fairness for persons accused of a crime. FACDL-Miami is an advocate for the advocate.
The mission of FACDL-Miami is to preserve the adversarial justice system, to maintain and foster independent and able criminal defense lawyers, and to ensure justice and due process for all persons accused of violations of the law.
“The assistance of counsel is one of the safeguards of the Sixth Amendment deemed necessary to ensure fundamental rights of life and liberty.”
—Justice Hugo Black, United States Supreme Court
FACDL-Miami is an affiliate of the state-wide organization, the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. The organization was formed for charitable, scientific, and educational purposes, which include, but are not limited to, the following purposes:
Provide support for criminal defense lawyers in the practice of their craft, including, but not limited to: a strike force, amicus briefs, and other services which will improve the quality of representation of the accused.
Enlighten the public about the role of criminal defense lawyers in society.
Coordinate efforts with national and local bar associations concerned with the criminal justice.
Protect the individual rights of the citizens of Florida as guaranteed by the United States Constitution and the Florida Constitution, including the right to counsel.
Promote the exchange of experience, legal precedent, and research among criminal defense lawyers throughout the Florida.
Maintain the integrity and independence of criminal defense lawyers.
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President
Dianne is a former Assistant Public Defender with the Miami Dade Public Defender’s office and has extensive trial experience handling State and Federal cases. While at the Public Defender’s Office, Dianne was recruited to join the firm of Sabrina Puglisi where she was made partner and created the firm Puglisi Carames. The firm handles any State or Federal criminal matters and has established itself as one of the most well-known firms that handles high-profile cases. Dianne has tried over 50 jury trials, ranging from misdemeanor offenses (such as DUIs, battery, and trespassing) to more serious federal offenses (such as human trafficking, insurance fraud, and drug trafficking).
Since 2016, Dianne has been a member of the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers as well as the Chair of the Criminal Courts Committee for the Miami Dade Bar, one of the largest voluntary bar associations in Miami Dade County. In May of 2023, Dianne was elected President of the Miami chapter of the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, making her the 50th President of the only criminal defense voluntary bar organization. As part of her voluntary bar leadership, Dianne manages the board meetings and organization budget, facilitates discussions on various legal issues resulting in filings with the Florida Supreme Court (procedural rule changes, amicus briefs) and the creation of CLE (Continuing Legal Education) courses for all Florida attorneys. She not only lobbies for the rights of her clients but also lobbies for criminal lawyers practicing in Miami Dade.
Dianne has also been named a Rising Star SuperLawyer and has received the Top 40 Under 40 Award from the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Dianne has also been a member of the Junior Orange Bowl Committee, which is an organization in Miami missioned with empowering youth.
Dianne was born and raised in Miami and is fluent in Spanish. She attended the University of Central Florida for her Bachelor’s degree and obtained her Juris Doctor degree from Florida International University College of Law. In addition to the Florida Bar, Ms. Caramès is admitted to practice in the United States District Court in the Southern District of Florida and in Nebraska, and in the Circuit Court of Appeals for the Eight and Eleventh Circuits.
President
Dianne is a former Assistant Public Defender with the Miami Dade Public Defender’s office and has extensive trial experience handling State and Federal cases. While at the Public Defender’s Office, Dianne was recruited to join the firm of Sabrina Puglisi where she was made partner and created the firm Puglisi Carames. The firm handles any State or Federal criminal matters and has established itself as one of the most well-known firms that handles high-profile cases. Dianne has tried over 50 jury trials, ranging from misdemeanor offenses (such as DUIs, battery, and trespassing) to more serious federal offenses (such as human trafficking, insurance fraud, and drug trafficking).
Since 2016, Dianne has been a member of the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers as well as the Chair of the Criminal Courts Committee for the Miami Dade Bar, one of the largest voluntary bar associations in Miami Dade County. In May of 2023, Dianne was elected President of the Miami chapter of the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, making her the 50th President of the only criminal defense voluntary bar organization. As part of her voluntary bar leadership, Dianne manages the board meetings and organization budget, facilitates discussions on various legal issues resulting in filings with the Florida Supreme Court (procedural rule changes, amicus briefs) and the creation of CLE (Continuing Legal Education) courses for all Florida attorneys. She not only lobbies for the rights of her clients but also lobbies for criminal lawyers practicing in Miami Dade.
Dianne has also been named a Rising Star SuperLawyer and has received the Top 40 Under 40 Award from the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Dianne has also been a member of the Junior Orange Bowl Committee, which is an organization in Miami missioned with empowering youth.
Dianne was born and raised in Miami and is fluent in Spanish. She attended the University of Central Florida for her Bachelor’s degree and obtained her Juris Doctor degree from Florida International University College of Law. In addition to the Florida Bar, Ms. Caramès is admitted to practice in the United States District Court in the Southern District of Florida and in Nebraska, and in the Circuit Court of Appeals for the Eight and Eleventh Circuits.
President Elect
Lauren Field Krasnoff is a partner at Markus/Moss PLLC. Lauren has spent her career devoted to criminal defense. She started her practice at the Miami-Dade Public Defender’s Office, where she tried cases in the Juvenile, County Court, and Felony divisions before serving as a Felony Training Attorney and ultimately as a Senior Supervising Attorney. After nearly eight years as a state public defender, Lauren shifted gears and joined the Federal Defender’s Office of the Southern District of Florida, where she practiced for six years.
Lauren is the incoming President of the Miami Chapter of the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. She has been on the board of FACDL-Miami since 2015, having chaired the Lunch with the Judges Committee, the Amendment Four Committee, and the Federal Liaison Committee. She is a proud alumna of Washington University in St. Louis and the Cardozo School of Law in New York. Lauren is a Red Cross Certified Lifeguard – so she’s qualified to protect you from both the federal government and the rough tides of South Beach.
President Elect
Lauren Field Krasnoff is a partner at Markus/Moss PLLC. Lauren has spent her career devoted to criminal defense. She started her practice at the Miami-Dade Public Defender’s Office, where she tried cases in the Juvenile, County Court, and Felony divisions before serving as a Felony Training Attorney and ultimately as a Senior Supervising Attorney. After nearly eight years as a state public defender, Lauren shifted gears and joined the Federal Defender’s Office of the Southern District of Florida, where she practiced for six years.
Lauren is the incoming President of the Miami Chapter of the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. She has been on the board of FACDL-Miami since 2015, having chaired the Lunch with the Judges Committee, the Amendment Four Committee, and the Federal Liaison Committee. She is a proud alumna of Washington University in St. Louis and the Cardozo School of Law in New York. Lauren is a Red Cross Certified Lifeguard – so she’s qualified to protect you from both the federal government and the rough tides of South Beach.
Vice President
Zena X. Duncan is an experienced trial attorney practicing criminal law throughout the state of Florida for the past 20 years. She graduated from St. Thomas University School of Law in Miami, Florida in 2002, after receiving a Master’s of Arts in History from Morgan State and Cornell Universities. Zena started her legal career as an Assistant Public Defender at the Miami-Dade Public Defender’s Office in 2002. She quickly rose through the office trying over 50 trials during her 4-year tenure. After leaving the Public Defender’s office, Zena did civil litigation with The Probinsky Law Firm and in late 2006 started the Duncan Law Firm. Since 2009, Zena has also held a position with the Office of Criminal Conflict and Civil Regional Counsel, 3rd Region, as an Assistant Regional Counsel.
As an attorney and community leader, Zena’s goal through her years of public service, has always been to serve the community and those in need by fighting injustice, systemic racism, and the inequitable norms facing her clients. She has been a member of the Board of Directors for the Miami chapter of the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (FACDL) for the past 7 years, and also maintains membership with the Miami Dade Bar Association, and the Gwen S. Cherry Black Women Lawyers Assoc. She is an attorney for the Mexican Consulate (Miami) handling criminal cases for indigent Mexican nationals and is a lecturer for the Prelaw Society and Black Student Union Association for American Heritage Schools.
Vice President
Zena X. Duncan is an experienced trial attorney practicing criminal law throughout the state of Florida for the past 20 years. She graduated from St. Thomas University School of Law in Miami, Florida in 2002, after receiving a Master’s of Arts in History from Morgan State and Cornell Universities. Zena started her legal career as an Assistant Public Defender at the Miami-Dade Public Defender’s Office in 2002. She quickly rose through the office trying over 50 trials during her 4-year tenure. After leaving the Public Defender’s office, Zena did civil litigation with The Probinsky Law Firm and in late 2006 started the Duncan Law Firm. Since 2009, Zena has also held a position with the Office of Criminal Conflict and Civil Regional Counsel, 3rd Region, as an Assistant Regional Counsel.
As an attorney and community leader, Zena’s goal through her years of public service, has always been to serve the community and those in need by fighting injustice, systemic racism, and the inequitable norms facing her clients. She has been a member of the Board of Directors for the Miami chapter of the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (FACDL) for the past 7 years, and also maintains membership with the Miami Dade Bar Association, and the Gwen S. Cherry Black Women Lawyers Assoc. She is an attorney for the Mexican Consulate (Miami) handling criminal cases for indigent Mexican nationals and is a lecturer for the Prelaw Society and Black Student Union Association for American Heritage Schools.
Secretary
James DuBray has been an Assistant Public Defender with the Law Office of Miami-Dade Public Defender Carlos J. Martinez since 2014. During that time, he has worked in the children’s defense, county court, and felony trial divisions. From February 2021 until October 2022, James was a Felony Training Attorney, working to develop the office’s newest felony trial attorneys. In October 2022, James became the office’s Advanced Litigation Coordinator, a position created to help further train the office’s attorneys handling felony cases with increasingly severe consequences. James has been awarded the Gideon’s Hope Scholarship for his contributions as an APD. James is a 2014 graduate of the University of Chicago Law School, where he committed his time to indigent defense. In 2018, James returned there to work for 8 months with the school’s Federal Criminal Justice Clinic, which teaches law students to defend indigent clients accused of federal crimes.
Secretary
James DuBray has been an Assistant Public Defender with the Law Office of Miami-Dade Public Defender Carlos J. Martinez since 2014. During that time, he has worked in the children’s defense, county court, and felony trial divisions. From February 2021 until October 2022, James was a Felony Training Attorney, working to develop the office’s newest felony trial attorneys. In October 2022, James became the office’s Advanced Litigation Coordinator, a position created to help further train the office’s attorneys handling felony cases with increasingly severe consequences. James has been awarded the Gideon’s Hope Scholarship for his contributions as an APD. James is a 2014 graduate of the University of Chicago Law School, where he committed his time to indigent defense. In 2018, James returned there to work for 8 months with the school’s Federal Criminal Justice Clinic, which teaches law students to defend indigent clients accused of federal crimes.
Treasurer
Alex John Saiz is the Director of Legal Services for the Florida Justice Center. He oversees the legal representation of thousands of indigent clients with clemency, rights restoration, and civil rights issues. During his time, the Florida Justice Center has become one of the largest legal aid organizations in the State of Florida. Through the organization’s growth, Alex has become one of the foremost experts on clemency and voting rights for those with felony convictions.
Alex has been a criminal defense attorney in Florida for over a decade, where he has represented thousands of clients in matters ranging from simple traffic cases to murder. Alex currently runs his own law firm and is proud to represent indigent clients as an Assistant Regional Counsel.
Alex graduated from Florida International University with a B.A. degree in International Relations and Political Science. He graduated from the American University Washington College of Law, receiving his Juris Doctorate.
Beyond his professional pursuits, Alex is also active in the community as a member of the Camillus House Young Leader’s Board and the Anti-Defamation League Florida Board.
Treasurer
Alex John Saiz is the Director of Legal Services for the Florida Justice Center. He oversees the legal representation of thousands of indigent clients with clemency, rights restoration, and civil rights issues. During his time, the Florida Justice Center has become one of the largest legal aid organizations in the State of Florida. Through the organization’s growth, Alex has become one of the foremost experts on clemency and voting rights for those with felony convictions.
Alex has been a criminal defense attorney in Florida for over a decade, where he has represented thousands of clients in matters ranging from simple traffic cases to murder. Alex currently runs his own law firm and is proud to represent indigent clients as an Assistant Regional Counsel.
Alex graduated from Florida International University with a B.A. degree in International Relations and Political Science. He graduated from the American University Washington College of Law, receiving his Juris Doctorate.
Beyond his professional pursuits, Alex is also active in the community as a member of the Camillus House Young Leader’s Board and the Anti-Defamation League Florida Board.
Immediate Past President
Michael Davis focuses on complex state and federal litigation at Kuehne Davis, P.A., formally known as Law Offices Benedict P. Kuehne. A graduate of Stetson University, Davis began his appellate career successfully competing in moot court competitions. A former law clerk to U.S. District Court Judge Virginia M. Hernandez Covington, Davis joined the Appellate Division of the Miami-Dade Public Defender’s Office. Davis has argued before the Third DCA, the Florida Supreme Court, and the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals, securing more than 30 written opinions. He is a regular CLE presenter.
Davis serves on the Stetson University Board of Trustees, is a Board member of his church, Bread of Life Community Church. He also serves on several boards of directors, including the Virgil Hawkins Chapter of the National Bar Association, the Dade County Bar Association, and the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers-Miami Chapter.
Immediate Past President
Michael Davis focuses on complex state and federal litigation at Kuehne Davis, P.A., formally known as Law Offices Benedict P. Kuehne. A graduate of Stetson University, Davis began his appellate career successfully competing in moot court competitions. A former law clerk to U.S. District Court Judge Virginia M. Hernandez Covington, Davis joined the Appellate Division of the Miami-Dade Public Defender’s Office. Davis has argued before the Third DCA, the Florida Supreme Court, and the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals, securing more than 30 written opinions. He is a regular CLE presenter.
Davis serves on the Stetson University Board of Trustees, is a Board member of his church, Bread of Life Community Church. He also serves on several boards of directors, including the Virgil Hawkins Chapter of the National Bar Association, the Dade County Bar Association, and the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers-Miami Chapter.
