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Our Mission:The State Attorney’s Office in the 9th Judicial Circuit of Florida functions as an independent law enforcement agency. Above all things, this Office seeks justice. We unequivocally adopt the standards established by the American Bar Association and aim to establish policy rooted in facts and research.
Ethics, Competence, Respect, and Community are the highest values, and that which our success is measured. We strive to keep communities safer by not only engaging in the traditional role of prosecutors, but also embracing our role as part of the communities we serve. Community Prosecution aims to build relationships, educate, and increase accountability. While engaging in the day-to-day prosecutorial function, we likewise seek to reform and improve the criminal justice system by measuring success in the courtroom and the community. |
The State of Florida is represented in 20 judicial circuits by the elected State Attorneys. The Ninth Circuit State Attorney’s Office serves Orange and Osceola counties. The primary role of the State Attorney is to represent the State of Florida in the criminal court system. The State Attorney reviews criminal investigations conducted by law enforcement, decides if criminal charges are necessary and then presents the cases in criminal court.
Our team is made up of more than 155 prosecutors who work with our support staff and investigators to serve the nearly 1.4 million citizens living in the Greater Orlando area. In addition to overseeing the third-largest circuit in the state, the Ninth Circuit State Attorney’s Office also protects many of the 50 million tourists that visit Central Florida each year. On average we receive about 100,000 cases a year from law enforcement.
We are committed to returning each phone call, email and letter when possible. A successful prosecution is made up of many factors but a very important one is the cooperation of victims and witnesses. The State Attorney has several resources available to help victims and witnesses navigate the criminal court system. Quite often victims and witnesses have questions about how the system works and what to expect. Our victim advocates and witness coordinators can provide you with information, support and direction throughout the judicial process.
Please note that under Florida law, email addresses are public records. If you do not want your email address released in response to a public records request, do not send electronic mail to this entity. Instead, contact this office by phone or in writing.
Our team is made up of more than 155 prosecutors who work with our support staff and investigators to serve the nearly 1.4 million citizens living in the Greater Orlando area. In addition to overseeing the third-largest circuit in the state, the Ninth Circuit State Attorney’s Office also protects many of the 50 million tourists that visit Central Florida each year. On average we receive about 100,000 cases a year from law enforcement.
We are committed to returning each phone call, email and letter when possible. A successful prosecution is made up of many factors but a very important one is the cooperation of victims and witnesses. The State Attorney has several resources available to help victims and witnesses navigate the criminal court system. Quite often victims and witnesses have questions about how the system works and what to expect. Our victim advocates and witness coordinators can provide you with information, support and direction throughout the judicial process.
Please note that under Florida law, email addresses are public records. If you do not want your email address released in response to a public records request, do not send electronic mail to this entity. Instead, contact this office by phone or in writing.
What We Do
As employees of the State Attorney, we are all part of a number of agencies and institutions collectively known as the Criminal Justice System. Understanding this system, the way it works, and the role of this office within it, gives us a sense of appreciation for the vital role we play in the safety and protection of society.
Purpose – The basic purpose of the Criminal Justice System and this office is to bring to justice those guilty of committing crimes and exonerating those mistakenly accused of committing crimes.
Types of Crime – There are basically three types or classifications of crime that are dealt with by the Criminal Justice System: Felonies – Crimes that are punishable by imprisonment for more than one year in the State Department of Corrections. Examples include murder, sexual battery, burglary, and grand thefts; Misdemeanors – Crimes that are punishable by imprisonment for up to one year in the county jail. Examples include petit theft, simple battery, prostitution and trespasses; and Criminal Traffic Offenses – Specifically listed violations of the traffic laws punishable by imprisonment of up to one year in the county jail. Examples include driving under the influence, reckless driving, driving on a suspended driver’s license. Within the Ninth Judicial Circuit, there are 12 municipal police departments, two Sheriff’s offices, and various state and federal law enforcement agencies. While most of our cases come from the enforcement of local and state laws, they may also be referred to us by federal agencies such as the F.B.I. and Drug Enforcement Administration (D.E.A.).
Prosecution – The prosecution of those accused of committing crimes is conducted by the Office of the State Attorney and to a small degree the Office of Statewide Prosecutor. We are responsible for representing the State in all criminal proceedings that result from the charging of a person with a crime by law enforcement and/or this office. Each accused is entitled to legal counsel provided by private attorneys hired by a defendant or by the Public Defender, which may be appointed by the court to those who cannot afford to hire a private attorney.
Judiciary – The third component of the Criminal Justice System is the judiciary. Its main function is the adjudication of cases to fairly determine guilt or innocence and the proper sentencing of those found guilty. Criminal Courts can be divided into two types: Circuit Court and County Court. There are two divisions within Circuit Court: Criminal – handles all adult felony cases that are prosecuted; and Juvenile – handles all felony and misdemeanor cases that are committed by defendants under 18 years of age. County Court handles all adult misdemeanor and all traffic cases that are prosecuted.
Our Structure
The State Attorney’s Office contains separate bureaus which handle specific crimes. The bureaus include: Intake, Felony, Juvenile and County Court.
Additionally, there are four specialty units that consist of Homicide, Sex Crimes Unit, Economic Crimes Unit and Domestic Violence Unit. Attorneys within the office all must apply and are interviewed prior to being accepted as a member of each specialized unit.
The Sex Crimes Unit (SCU) handles all cases of sexual abuse committed against children and adults, as well as internet crimes against children, in the Ninth Judicial Circuit. Additionally, SCU is composed of a Unit Chief, Assistant State Attorneys, Victim Advocates and Investigators. All members of the Unit are house in a separate section of the office, which is designed to make victims feel as comfortable as possible when they visit an Assistant State Attorney or Victim Advocate. The SCU Assistant State Attorneys (ASAs) are specially trained in working with child and adult victims of sexual abuse. Each ASA works together with a specially trained victim advocate on every case to ensure every victim has the support of a team while the office handles his or her case.
The Domestic Violence Unit is dedicated to the prosecution of domestic violence, dating violence, and child abuse cases. The unit utilizes victim advocates whose responsibilities include assisting survivors through the legal process, providing resources, accompanying the survivors to court, protecting victim’s rights, and fostering trusting relationships with the survivors. Prosecutors and Victim Advocates receive ongoing training in domestic violence issues. The Ninth Circuit has created a specialized court division with a Judge that exclusively hears domestic violence matters, resulting in efficient managing of court cases and greater accountability for the perpetrators of domestic violence.
The Homicide Unit is a dedicated group Investigators, support staff and prosecutors who handle all crimes involving death in Orange and Osceola County. The Unit is comprised of six highly experienced prosecutors who are responsible for cases that range from leaving the scene of an accident with death to first degree murder where the death penalty is being sought.
Juvenile Unit – All crimes committed by juveniles are processed and prosecuted by our Juvenile Unit, excluding those cases that, based on the age of the child or the seriousness of the crime, are directly filed in adult court.
Economic Crimes Unit (ECU) assists law enforcement and prosecutes thefts and frauds such as embezzlement cases involving substantial amounts of money. The unit works closely with the state Division of Insurance Fraud to combat insurance and workers compensation fraud. ECU lawyers handle cases of economic exploitation of the elderly/disabled, time share and other internet scams and prosecutes retailers who collect sales tax from their customers but refuse to remit the collected taxes to the state. They also enforce various licensing and consumer protection laws.
MBI and OCIB – The Metropolitan Bureau of Investigation (MBI) and Osceola County Investigative Bureau (OCIB) are permanent, multi-agency law enforcement task forces comprised of specialized investigators from city, county, state and federal law enforcement agencies operating in Central Florida. The State Attorney provides legal and prosecution resources to both the MBI and the OCIB. The MBI and the OCIB operate as a specialized group of prosecutors and investigators assigned to concentrate on narcotics trafficking, organized crime, racketeering and other vice related areas such as prostitution, gambling and adult entertainment. Most crimes are vice related and organized, well-financed and operate freely across the jurisdictional lines of the existing law enforcement agencies. Additionally, MBI is designated as a federal High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Task Force. MBI also operates the Airport Narcotics Unit in conjunction with Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Orlando Police to interdict and intercept drug and money smuggling at Orlando International Airport.
As employees of the State Attorney, we are all part of a number of agencies and institutions collectively known as the Criminal Justice System. Understanding this system, the way it works, and the role of this office within it, gives us a sense of appreciation for the vital role we play in the safety and protection of society.
Purpose – The basic purpose of the Criminal Justice System and this office is to bring to justice those guilty of committing crimes and exonerating those mistakenly accused of committing crimes.
Types of Crime – There are basically three types or classifications of crime that are dealt with by the Criminal Justice System: Felonies – Crimes that are punishable by imprisonment for more than one year in the State Department of Corrections. Examples include murder, sexual battery, burglary, and grand thefts; Misdemeanors – Crimes that are punishable by imprisonment for up to one year in the county jail. Examples include petit theft, simple battery, prostitution and trespasses; and Criminal Traffic Offenses – Specifically listed violations of the traffic laws punishable by imprisonment of up to one year in the county jail. Examples include driving under the influence, reckless driving, driving on a suspended driver’s license. Within the Ninth Judicial Circuit, there are 12 municipal police departments, two Sheriff’s offices, and various state and federal law enforcement agencies. While most of our cases come from the enforcement of local and state laws, they may also be referred to us by federal agencies such as the F.B.I. and Drug Enforcement Administration (D.E.A.).
Prosecution – The prosecution of those accused of committing crimes is conducted by the Office of the State Attorney and to a small degree the Office of Statewide Prosecutor. We are responsible for representing the State in all criminal proceedings that result from the charging of a person with a crime by law enforcement and/or this office. Each accused is entitled to legal counsel provided by private attorneys hired by a defendant or by the Public Defender, which may be appointed by the court to those who cannot afford to hire a private attorney.
Judiciary – The third component of the Criminal Justice System is the judiciary. Its main function is the adjudication of cases to fairly determine guilt or innocence and the proper sentencing of those found guilty. Criminal Courts can be divided into two types: Circuit Court and County Court. There are two divisions within Circuit Court: Criminal – handles all adult felony cases that are prosecuted; and Juvenile – handles all felony and misdemeanor cases that are committed by defendants under 18 years of age. County Court handles all adult misdemeanor and all traffic cases that are prosecuted.
Our Structure
The State Attorney’s Office contains separate bureaus which handle specific crimes. The bureaus include: Intake, Felony, Juvenile and County Court.
Additionally, there are four specialty units that consist of Homicide, Sex Crimes Unit, Economic Crimes Unit and Domestic Violence Unit. Attorneys within the office all must apply and are interviewed prior to being accepted as a member of each specialized unit.
The Sex Crimes Unit (SCU) handles all cases of sexual abuse committed against children and adults, as well as internet crimes against children, in the Ninth Judicial Circuit. Additionally, SCU is composed of a Unit Chief, Assistant State Attorneys, Victim Advocates and Investigators. All members of the Unit are house in a separate section of the office, which is designed to make victims feel as comfortable as possible when they visit an Assistant State Attorney or Victim Advocate. The SCU Assistant State Attorneys (ASAs) are specially trained in working with child and adult victims of sexual abuse. Each ASA works together with a specially trained victim advocate on every case to ensure every victim has the support of a team while the office handles his or her case.
The Domestic Violence Unit is dedicated to the prosecution of domestic violence, dating violence, and child abuse cases. The unit utilizes victim advocates whose responsibilities include assisting survivors through the legal process, providing resources, accompanying the survivors to court, protecting victim’s rights, and fostering trusting relationships with the survivors. Prosecutors and Victim Advocates receive ongoing training in domestic violence issues. The Ninth Circuit has created a specialized court division with a Judge that exclusively hears domestic violence matters, resulting in efficient managing of court cases and greater accountability for the perpetrators of domestic violence.
The Homicide Unit is a dedicated group Investigators, support staff and prosecutors who handle all crimes involving death in Orange and Osceola County. The Unit is comprised of six highly experienced prosecutors who are responsible for cases that range from leaving the scene of an accident with death to first degree murder where the death penalty is being sought.
Juvenile Unit – All crimes committed by juveniles are processed and prosecuted by our Juvenile Unit, excluding those cases that, based on the age of the child or the seriousness of the crime, are directly filed in adult court.
Economic Crimes Unit (ECU) assists law enforcement and prosecutes thefts and frauds such as embezzlement cases involving substantial amounts of money. The unit works closely with the state Division of Insurance Fraud to combat insurance and workers compensation fraud. ECU lawyers handle cases of economic exploitation of the elderly/disabled, time share and other internet scams and prosecutes retailers who collect sales tax from their customers but refuse to remit the collected taxes to the state. They also enforce various licensing and consumer protection laws.
MBI and OCIB – The Metropolitan Bureau of Investigation (MBI) and Osceola County Investigative Bureau (OCIB) are permanent, multi-agency law enforcement task forces comprised of specialized investigators from city, county, state and federal law enforcement agencies operating in Central Florida. The State Attorney provides legal and prosecution resources to both the MBI and the OCIB. The MBI and the OCIB operate as a specialized group of prosecutors and investigators assigned to concentrate on narcotics trafficking, organized crime, racketeering and other vice related areas such as prostitution, gambling and adult entertainment. Most crimes are vice related and organized, well-financed and operate freely across the jurisdictional lines of the existing law enforcement agencies. Additionally, MBI is designated as a federal High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Task Force. MBI also operates the Airport Narcotics Unit in conjunction with Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Orlando Police to interdict and intercept drug and money smuggling at Orlando International Airport.