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
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.
President
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.
President-Elect
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.
President-Elect
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.
Vice President
Jennifer Thornton is an Assistant Public Defender with the Miami-Dade Public Defender’s Office. Jennifer has spent her career devoted to criminal defense, trying cases in juvenile court, county court, and felony court. In August 2022, she became Board Certified in Criminal Trial Law. Jennifer now works in the Appellate Division of the Miami-Dade Public Defender’s Office, and has argued before the Third District Court of Appeal. Jennifer received her undergraduate degree from Monmouth University in New Jersey, and her juris doctorate from University of Miami School of Law. When not working, she enjoys spending time with her husband and two sons.
Vice President
Jennifer Thornton is an Assistant Public Defender with the Miami-Dade Public Defender’s Office. Jennifer has spent her career devoted to criminal defense, trying cases in juvenile court, county court, and felony court. In August 2022, she became Board Certified in Criminal Trial Law. Jennifer now works in the Appellate Division of the Miami-Dade Public Defender’s Office, and has argued before the Third District Court of Appeal. Jennifer received her undergraduate degree from Monmouth University in New Jersey, and her juris doctorate from University of Miami School of Law. When not working, she enjoys spending time with her husband and two sons.
Secretary
Alyssa Espinosa is an Associate at Wahid Vizcaino Geller, PLLC. Born and raised in Miami, she was a Dean’s Merit scholar at Florida International University where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Political Science. She went on to attend the University of Miami for law school with nearly a full-ride scholarship. Alyssa received recognition for her skills in trial advocacy when she won the Marco Vazquez Litigation Skills Scholarship.
After graduating, Alyssa went on to work as an Assistant Public Defender in Miami-Dade County for three years. While there, she represented accused individuals in criminal cases ranging from DUI offenses to serious felonies such as armed drug trafficking, aggravated battery, and other offenses for which her clients were facing up to life in prison. She prides herself on her ability to connect with her clients, learn what is most important to them in the resolution of their case, and advocating zealously in their defense while advising them on all potential outcomes.
Alyssa worked as a law clerk for Wahid Vizcaino Geller when she was in law school and has now returned as an Associate. She works on Federal and State criminal cases of all levels. In her transition to private practice, she has applied her tenacity and experience as a trial lawyer to litigating civil cases. Alyssa has successfully represented corporate clients at civil mediations and has played an integral role in their matters by drafting and litigating dispositive motions.
Alyssa is the Treasurer of the Miami chapter of the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, and is a member of the Miami-Dade Bar Association, the Cuban American Bar Association, and the Miami-Dade chapter of the Florida Association for Women Lawyers.
Secretary
Alyssa Espinosa is an Associate at Wahid Vizcaino Geller, PLLC. Born and raised in Miami, she was a Dean’s Merit scholar at Florida International University where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Political Science. She went on to attend the University of Miami for law school with nearly a full-ride scholarship. Alyssa received recognition for her skills in trial advocacy when she won the Marco Vazquez Litigation Skills Scholarship.
After graduating, Alyssa went on to work as an Assistant Public Defender in Miami-Dade County for three years. While there, she represented accused individuals in criminal cases ranging from DUI offenses to serious felonies such as armed drug trafficking, aggravated battery, and other offenses for which her clients were facing up to life in prison. She prides herself on her ability to connect with her clients, learn what is most important to them in the resolution of their case, and advocating zealously in their defense while advising them on all potential outcomes.
Alyssa worked as a law clerk for Wahid Vizcaino Geller when she was in law school and has now returned as an Associate. She works on Federal and State criminal cases of all levels. In her transition to private practice, she has applied her tenacity and experience as a trial lawyer to litigating civil cases. Alyssa has successfully represented corporate clients at civil mediations and has played an integral role in their matters by drafting and litigating dispositive motions.
Alyssa is the Treasurer of the Miami chapter of the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, and is a member of the Miami-Dade Bar Association, the Cuban American Bar Association, and the Miami-Dade chapter of the Florida Association for Women Lawyers.
Treasurer
Alyssa prides herself on her empathetic and zealous advocacy. She has seen firsthand how a criminal case can damage a person’s life and cause collateral consequences for the accused’s loved ones. Her strong work ethic and dedication to her clients sets her apart and makes her an effective litigator. Alyssa’s clients know that she will leave no stone unturned, and is always available to answer her clients’ questions and concerns.
Alyssa has years of experience handling cases involving alleged fraud, money laundering, racketeering, drug trafficking, firearms, obstruction of justice, national security violations, corruption, and violent crime. She has also handled countless health care-related matters in the criminal and civil context. She has represented doctors, hospitals, private practices, and other healthcare professionals in various cases involving fraud, kickbacks, breach of contract, whistleblowers and the False Claims Act, and civil and criminal DOJ investigations involving tens of millions of dollars.
In addition to being a fearless fighter at trial, Alyssa is a skilled negotiator—she has convinced prosecutors to dismiss cases, obtained pretrial diversion for clients in state court (which results in a dismissal upon successful completion), and has obtained favorable plea agreements and sentences in cases ranging from minor property crimes to nationwide drug trafficking offenses. Her negotiations, motions, and arguments in court have led to numerous pre- and post-trial victories.
Treasurer
Alyssa prides herself on her empathetic and zealous advocacy. She has seen firsthand how a criminal case can damage a person’s life and cause collateral consequences for the accused’s loved ones. Her strong work ethic and dedication to her clients sets her apart and makes her an effective litigator. Alyssa’s clients know that she will leave no stone unturned, and is always available to answer her clients’ questions and concerns.
Alyssa has years of experience handling cases involving alleged fraud, money laundering, racketeering, drug trafficking, firearms, obstruction of justice, national security violations, corruption, and violent crime. She has also handled countless health care-related matters in the criminal and civil context. She has represented doctors, hospitals, private practices, and other healthcare professionals in various cases involving fraud, kickbacks, breach of contract, whistleblowers and the False Claims Act, and civil and criminal DOJ investigations involving tens of millions of dollars.
In addition to being a fearless fighter at trial, Alyssa is a skilled negotiator—she has convinced prosecutors to dismiss cases, obtained pretrial diversion for clients in state court (which results in a dismissal upon successful completion), and has obtained favorable plea agreements and sentences in cases ranging from minor property crimes to nationwide drug trafficking offenses. Her negotiations, motions, and arguments in court have led to numerous pre- and post-trial victories.
Immediate Past President
Lauren Field Krasnoff is a partner at Markus/Moss PLLC. Lauren has served on the Board of FACDL-Miami since 2015 and has been on the executive board since 2020. She also serves as the co-chair of the Miami-Dade Bar Association’s Criminal Courts Committee.
Lauren has spent her career devoted to criminal defense and has tried over 90 cases. 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. Lauren practiced at the Federal Defender’s Office for six years before joining Markus/Moss. Lauren is a proud alumna of Washington University in St. Louis and the Cardozo School of Law in New York.
Immediate Past President
Lauren Field Krasnoff is.a partner at Markus/Moss PLLC. Lauren has served on the Board of FACDL-Miami since 2015 and has been on the executive board since 2020. She also serves as the co-chair of the Miami-Dade Bar Association’s Criminal Courts Committee.
Lauren has spent her career devoted to criminal defense and has tried over 90 cases. 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. Lauren practiced at the Federal Defender’s Office for six years before joining Markus/Moss. Lauren is a proud alumna of Washington University in St. Louis and the Cardozo School of Law in New York.
