An airport arrest feels different than an arrest anywhere else. At Fort Lauderdale–Hollywood International Airport (FLL), everything is faster, louder, and more public. You are surrounded by uniformed officers, TSA personnel, cameras, and crowds that keep moving while your world suddenly stops. Even when the underlying allegation is a mistake or a misunderstanding, the airport environment can turn routine travel stress into a criminal case in minutes.
If you or a family member has been arrested at FLL, the most important thing to know is this: what you do in the first few hours can shape everything that follows. That includes what you say, what you consent to, and how quickly you get experienced defense counsel involved.
Why Airport Arrests Escalate So Quickly
Airports are layered security zones. At FLL, you may encounter local law enforcement, airport police, Broward Sheriff’s Office personnel, and federal agencies depending on the situation. TSA screening areas and secure gates add another level of scrutiny, and conduct that might be handled with a warning elsewhere can be treated as a safety issue at an airport.
Small facts can also have outsized consequences. A pocketknife you forgot was in your backpack, a heated argument at the gate, or medication that is not properly stored can trigger an investigation. Once officers believe they have probable cause, the case can move immediately from “questioning” to handcuffs.
The First Minutes After an Arrest
What law enforcement is doing
After an arrest at FLL, officers typically secure the scene, separate people involved, and start documenting statements. They may collect physical evidence, review surveillance footage, and speak with TSA staff, airline employees, or witnesses. If the allegation involves a restricted area, they will often treat it as a heightened security incident, even if no one was hurt.
What you should do right away
You have the right to remain silent. Use it. Many airport cases get harder because people try to explain themselves while adrenaline is high and details are fuzzy. Officers may sound conversational, but their job is to gather evidence, not to clear up misunderstandings.
If you are arrested, you can clearly and calmly say that you want an attorney and you will not answer questions. Do not argue your case at the airport. Do not try to “talk your way out of it” after the decision to arrest has been made.
Common Charges After an FLL Arrest and the Statutes That Often Apply
Every case is unique, but these are some of the charges that commonly arise from airport arrests in Florida, along with statutes that frequently come into play.
Weapons at the airport
A frequent scenario is a lawful gun owner who forgets a firearm is in a bag, or a traveler who misunderstands where a weapon can be carried. Florida weapons allegations often involve Florida Statutes section 790.01 (carrying a concealed weapon or concealed firearm) and section 790.06(12) (places where concealed carry is prohibited, including areas of airports where firearms are not permitted). Depending on the facts, prosecutors may argue that entering a restricted airport area with a weapon triggers more serious exposure.
Federal charges are also possible in the airport context. A well known federal statute is 49 U.S.C. section 46505, which addresses carrying a weapon or explosive on an aircraft. Federal involvement can change the trajectory of a case, including where it is prosecuted and what penalties may be on the table.
Drugs and controlled substances
Drug cases can start at screening, during an encounter with law enforcement, or after a search connected to another allegation. Common Florida statutes include section 893.13 (possession, sale, or delivery of controlled substances) and, in more serious allegations, section 893.135 (drug trafficking). Even when someone believes they have a valid explanation, drug cases often hinge on what was possessed, how it was packaged, and what officers claim the person knew.
Disorderly conduct, intoxication, and disturbances
Air travel stress, delays, and alcohol can be a bad mix. Arguments with staff, refusal to follow instructions, or disruptive behavior can lead to arrest. Florida Statutes section 877.03 covers disorderly conduct, and section 856.011 covers disorderly intoxication. If the situation becomes physical, prosecutors may add battery charges under section 784.03, and if the alleged victim is a law enforcement officer, enhanced penalties can come into play under section 784.07.
Trespass and refusing to leave
Airports have clearly controlled spaces. If you are told to leave a specific area and refuse, or if you enter a space you are not authorized to access, trespass allegations may follow. Florida Statutes section 810.08 (trespass in a structure or conveyance) and section 810.09 (trespass on property other than a structure or conveyance) are common in cases involving restricted areas or disputes with airport personnel.
Resisting arrest or obstructing an officer
It is easy for airport situations to escalate. People pull away, tense up, or argue while being detained, and suddenly additional charges appear. Florida Statutes section 843.02 (resisting an officer without violence) and section 843.01 (resisting an officer with violence) are frequently used in fast moving confrontations.
DUI on airport property
Some arrests happen before a traveler ever reaches the terminal. If law enforcement suspects impaired driving on airport roadways or in parking areas, a DUI investigation may lead to arrest under Florida Statutes section 316.193.
Booking, Jail, and First Appearance in Broward County
After an arrest at FLL, you are typically transported for booking. Booking usually includes fingerprints, photographs, property inventory, and entry into the jail system. Officers will document the charges and prepare probable cause paperwork.
In many Broward County cases, you will have a first appearance before a judge relatively quickly. The judge reviews the charges, considers probable cause, and addresses bond and conditions of release. Conditions can include no contact orders, travel restrictions, alcohol monitoring, or requirements to report to pretrial services, depending on the allegation.
Bond is not automatic, and the amount can vary widely based on the charge, criminal history, and whether the court believes you are a flight risk. That is one reason it matters to have counsel involved as early as possible. Early advocacy can affect the bond arguments and the conditions that follow you for months.
What Happens After You Are Released
The case becomes a long game
Once you are out, the case is just beginning. The State Attorney’s Office evaluates reports, video, witness statements, and lab results if applicable. In parallel, your defense attorney should be pressing immediately for evidence, including surveillance footage, body worn camera video, TSA documentation, and communications from airline personnel. Some airport video is overwritten on a schedule, so delay can be costly.
Immigration, professional licensing, and travel consequences
An airport arrest can have consequences beyond the criminal case. Non citizens may face immigration risks depending on the charge. Professionals may have reporting obligations to licensing boards. Travelers may face airline bans or screening issues. These collateral consequences should be addressed early, not after the case has already taken shape.
Defense Strategies That Often Matter in FLL Airport Cases
Strong defense work is not one size fits all. Still, airport cases often turn on a few recurring legal and factual issues.
A defense may focus on whether the stop and search were lawful under the Fourth Amendment, whether statements were taken in a way that violated constitutional protections, or whether the state can prove the required intent. In weapon and contraband cases, knowledge and accessibility are often central. In disturbance cases, context matters, including who escalated the situation, what was said first, and what video shows compared to what witnesses claim they remember.
In many cases, the most powerful evidence is footage. Airports are covered in cameras, and video can confirm what happened or expose exaggerations. It can also highlight important details, such as how instructions were given, whether a person appeared confused rather than aggressive, and how quickly a routine encounter became forceful.
Why Hiring the Right Lawyer Early Matters
When you are arrested, you are not just facing a courtroom. You are facing a system with momentum. The earlier your attorney is involved, the sooner your defense can start shaping the narrative with real evidence, not assumptions.
The Ansara Law Firm is based in Fort Lauderdale and is led by criminal defense attorney Richard Ansara. He is a South Florida native who earned his undergraduate degree in Business Management and Finance from Florida Atlantic University and graduated with honors from Nova Southeastern University Shepard Broad College of Law. Before focusing on defense, he served in the Fort Lauderdale Prosecutor’s Office and the Office of the State Attorney in Broward County, experience that can provide valuable insight into how cases are charged and prosecuted.
Mr. Ansara is recognized as a criminal trial practitioner, and he has been honored by the Broward County Association of Criminal Attorneys with the “Hat Trick Award” for three consecutive not guilty verdicts. He is also affiliated with several professional organizations, including local and statewide criminal defense associations, and he is a member of The Florida Bar.
Practical Steps to Take If a Loved One is Arrested at FLL
If you are trying to help someone after an FLL arrest, focus on calm, concrete steps. These should be done with care, and without trying to investigate the case on your own by contacting witnesses or airport staff.
- Find out the exact charges and where the person is being held.
- Avoid discussing case details over recorded jail lines.
- Preserve travel documents, receipts, and any messages related to the incident.
- Write down a timeline while memories are fresh, including who was present and what happened before officers arrived.
- Contact a criminal defense attorney immediately to start evidence preservation requests, especially for video.
Do Not Face Airport Charges Without Experienced Legal Counsel
An arrest at Fort Lauderdale–Hollywood International Airport can feel humiliating and surreal, but it does not have to define your future. Airport cases are often built quickly, and they are often built on incomplete information. With an experienced Fort Lauderdale criminal defense lawyer involved early, you can protect your rights, preserve evidence that might otherwise disappear, and pursue the best possible outcome based on the facts and the law.
If you have been arrested or are under investigation related to an incident at FLL, speaking with a qualified Florida criminal defense attorney about your specific circumstances is the safest next step.