Background

  • Born in Chicago, Il. 1962
  • University of Miami undergraduate 1980- 1984
  • University of Miami law school 1984-1987
  • Miami-Dade County State Attorneys Office 1987-1991 (cross designated into United States Attorneys Office, Southern District of Florida, 1990-1991)
  • Law Offices of SCOTT B. SAUL 1991-present
  • Prior adjunct professor at Barry University , University of Miami, Florida International University and St. Thomas University
  • Staff lawyer for United Correctional Officers Federation (U.C.O.F.)
  • Florida Bar Grievance Committee
    • 2010-2013 served as chairman
    • 2005-2008 served as chairman
  • Of counsel to C. Humphreys & Associates P.A., a FDA compliance law firm
  • Official counsel for Ultra Music Festival
  • Florida Bar’s “Unlicensed Practice of Law Committee 11A”   2015-present

I have been a committed criminal defense attorney since 1991. I take an extreme pride in everything that I do and have a huge amount of zeal towards my profession. Every case is important. It is a priority to try to satisfy each and every client.


Trials

I am first and foremost a “trial lawyer”. I love to fight on behalf of my clients and nowhere can that more exemplified than in a jury trial setting.

It is not appropriate for all cases to go to trial, either because there may be a beneficial settlement or because a trial may expose a client to an unnecessary amount of risk.

In some circumstances, a case cannot be negotiated and the only way to address the matter is through a trial.

I have tried over three hundred (300) trials to verdict and I can use that vast experience to assist and benefit client.

Even if not all cases are ultimately tried, sometimes the best way to handle a case is to, nonetheless, prepare for trial. Often the best defense is an aggressive offense.


Federal, State and Juvenile Offenses

I handle any and all criminal allegations that may arise in Federal, State and Juvenile Court.


Initial Appearances/Magistrate Hearings/ Bond Hearings

When a person first gets arrested, they are supposed to be brought before a court in order to address preliminary matters. This is called an “initial appearance”, “magistrate hearing” or “bond hearing”.

Within 24- 72 hours of an arrest, an accused is supposed to be brought before a court in order to establish legal justification for the arrest (called “probable cause”) and an appropriate bond amount. If a court finds no “probable cause” for the arrest, then the accused is supposed to be released without paying any bond (a release on their own recognizance).

A bond is simply a pledge to guarantee that an accused person shows up to court in order to address their criminal allegation.

While most crimes carry some form of bond, some of the more serious allegations, at an initial level , have no bond or pre-trial detention.

Many of the State court jurisdictions have pre-determined bond schedules while, in the Federal system, a bond is typically determined on a case by case basis.

This is a critical aspect of a criminal case where it is essential to have a qualified lawyer representing the accused and assisting in making important decisions. Having proper representation may result in a successful challenge to the probable cause of the arrest, establishing a bond or lowering the bond. Sometimes a magistrate court may initially set a high bond but, there may be an opportunity to schedule a bond reduction hearing, in order to try to have that bond lowered facilitating a convenient release of an accused.

It is crucial to have an experienced and qualified lawyer to handle these issues since they may require quick decisions in how to analyze and handle such matters


Personal

  • Married with four children
  • Born in Chicago, Il
  • Member of Kiwanis
  • Member and coach for Optimists Club
  • Member of Business Network International (B.N.I.)
  • Musician
  • Board of Directors for Conductive Education of South Florida