Age, nationality, and height are but a few of the many criteria employed by the Miami-Dade County Clerk of Court to evaluate an individual’s eligibility to stand for or advance in the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL) and other legal associations. Each year, attorneys are screened and assessed to make certain that they are not only intellectually and morally fit for the position, but also have a genuine interest in serving the community and the State of Florida as well. Every legal professional who wishes to join must first pass the legally-required continuing education requirements of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL) before they can become a member of the organization. Members must also agree to adhere to the ethical and professional codes of the NACDL, which are constantly reviewed and revised to ensure that the standards of behavior remain constant.
Angie Yahia is a gifted criminal defense attorney with a passion for protecting the rights of those accused of crimes. Prior to her current appointment as a Miami-Dade Public Defender, she served as the Assistant Public Defender for the Eleventh District of Florida, where she prosecuted the cases of over forty clients, including a case that went to trial and resulted in the conviction of an individual who was later found guilty of killing his girlfriend. Angie qualified as a paralegal because of her strong interest in the law and legal process. She pursued a Bachelor of Science in Social Work at the University of Miami and from there went on to become a licensed public defender.
Angie’s strong sense of fairness and dedication to her public defenders made her one of the most effective in the office, and she brings a refreshing perspective to the cases she defends. Angie is able to relate to her clients on a personal level because she sees all of them as real people with legitimate concerns. Because of her strong bond with her team, she was able to successfully handle the difficult case of Raffaele Gurcuano, a suspect in the stabbing of three Miami-Dade Police Officers. Though Gurcuano was ultimately convicted of murdering the three cops, Angie was able to help secure a permanent restraining order for him and was successful in getting him the mental health facility he needs to clear his name.