Duval County · Jacksonville
Federal Sentencing in Duval County (Jacksonville Division)
Duval County hosts the Bryan Simpson U.S. Courthouse, the northernmost federal venue in the district. Jacksonville's port and interstate corridors drive a docket weighted toward firearms, narcotics, and human trafficking prosecutions.
Key figures
- Federal courthouse
- Bryan Simpson U.S. Courthouse
- Division
- Jacksonville
- Counties covered by division
- Duval, Baker, Bradford, Clay, Columbia, Flagler, Hamilton, Nassau, Putnam, St. Johns, Suwannee, Union
Facts
- The Bryan Simpson U.S. Courthouse at 300 N. Hogan St. serves the Jacksonville Division.
- JAXPORT is one of the largest container ports in the Southeast — a common nexus for federal customs and narcotics cases.
- Armed Career Criminal Act (ACCA) enhancements under 18 U.S.C. §924(e) appear more often in Jacksonville than any other MDFL division.
Myths vs. reality
Myth: Cooperating with the FBI in Jacksonville guarantees a §5K1.1 motion.
Reality: Only the government can file a substantial assistance motion, and it is discretionary. Cooperation without a filed motion still leaves the court bound by any mandatory minimum.
Myth: A state felony from decades ago won't count toward criminal history.
Reality: USSG §4A1.2 applies specific 10- and 15-year lookback windows. Older convictions can still count if the sentence exceeded certain thresholds.