adaYintheliFeintheoFFiceoFStatewideProSecution government lawyers Section Chairs : AlexaCline — FloridaOfficeoftheAttorneyGeneral & ChristianKatchuk — 13thJudicialCircuitCourt
While most people are familiar with an assistant state attorney , not everyone knows about the Office of Statewide Prosecution . Our office is part of the Office of the Attorney General of the State of Florida . While the State Attorney ’ s Office in any district is charged with prosecuting crimes committed within their circuit , our office ’ s jurisdiction comes from Section 16.56 of the Florida Statutes . We can investigate and prosecute any crime enumerated in this section as long as the offense takes place in two or more judicial circuits or if the defendant makes use of the internet in committing the crime .
We have 8 offices throughout the state , and although we tend to focus on certain geographical areas , we can prosecute cases in any jurisdiction in the state . I am a Senior Assistant Statewide Prosecutor located in the Tampa Office . The Tampa Office has 4 support staff members and around 16 attorneys . Because every day can be different , it is easier to provide an overview of my activities . We work closely with law enforcement , including local and statewide agencies , during their investigation . Frequently a law enforcement officer will bring a case to me in the early stages of the investigation . I am then able to work with them to issue subpoenas or search warrants to obtain records to assist the investigation . I then work with them to review
thesecasesare complexandcan lastforyears , and weareluckytobe abletoworkclosely toeffectively prosecutethecases .
the evidence and determine the appropriate charges and let them know if there is additional evidence needed before charges can be filed . Depending on the nature of the investigation , I am also in touch with victims and witnesses to keep them informed about the status of the investigation .
Once the investigation is concluded , I review all of the evidence to ensure there is sworn testimony and evidence to support any charge I want to file . During this review I will draft the information containing the charges , and when I ’ m satisfied there is sufficient evidence to proceed , I will file the information , which begins the court proceedings .
continuedonpage25
2 4 J U l - A U g 2 0 2 4 | H C B A l A W Y E R