List of State Attorney’s Offices in Florida
The top prosecutor in each judicial circuit in Florida is called the “State Attorney.” The other attorneys working under the State Attorney are “Assistant State Attorneys” or the “ASA.” Other states use the term “District Attorney.”
Each State Attorney in Florida has broad discretion to decide whether to charge or prosecute crimes in their jurisdiction.
Update: Despite that broad discretion, Florida’s Governor Ron DeSantis has a history of suspending State Attorneys who disagree with him politically. For instance, in August 2023, DeSantis suspended Attorney Monique Worrell for what he called “neglect of duty.” In her place, he appointed Andrew Bain. On November 5, 2024, the voters disagreed with DeSantis by again electing Monique Worrell with 57% of the vote compared to the 43% garnered by Bain.
The same thing happened in Hillsborough County, when DeSantis suspended Andrew Warren. The courts found the suspension by DeSantis was illegal, but did not reinstatement him before the election. The replacement selected by DeSantis, Susan “Suzy” Lopez, won the next election, narrowingly beating Andrew Warren. DeSantis spent over $10 million in campaign and legal fees to keep Andrew Warren from getting elected for third time.
As a result, State Attorneys in Florida are largely beholden to Govenor DeSantis in unhealthy ways.
What is the role of the State Attorney in Florida? The State Attorney processes all criminal cases presented by law enforcement officers who have arrested or cited individuals for felonies, misdemeanors, traffic crimes (including DUI or reckless driving), acts of juvenile delinquency, and some violations of county or municipal ordinances.
Each State Attorney is elected to a four-year term. The 2016 and 2020 elections for state attorney positions in Florida resulted in several big upsets. In many of these races, more progressive candidates won over well-entrenched incumbents.
In addition to the 20 state attorneys, Florida has an elected cabinet post for the attorney general, who serves as the state’s chief legal officer and heads the Florida Department of Legal Affairs. Ashley Moody, a Republican, is the current attorney general, who took office on January 8, 2019.
We update this list periodically, but if you see a mistake, please email us any suggested corrections to info@sammislawfirm.com.
TWENTIETH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT
Amira D. Fox, State Attorney
2000 Main Street, 6th Floor
Fort Myers, FL 33901
(239) 533-1000
The Twentieth Judicial Circuit serves five counties in Southwest Florida: Charlotte County, Collier County, Glades County, Hendry County, and Lee County.
NINETEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT
Tom Bakkedahl, State Attorney
411 South Second Street
Ft. Pierce, Florida 34950
(772) 465-3000
The Nineteenth Judicial Circuit serves Martin County, St. Lucie County, Indian River County, and Okeechobee County, FL.
EIGHTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT
Phil Archer, State Attorney
2725 Judge Fran Jamieson Way, Bldg D
Viera, Florida 32940
321) 617-7510
The Eighteenth Judicial Circuit serves Brevard County through the office in Viera and Seminole County through the office in Sanford.
SEVENTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT
Harold F. Pryor, State Attorney
201 S. E. 6th Street, Suite 665
Ft. Lauderdale, Florida 33301
(954) 831-6955
The Seventeenth Judicial Circuit serves the citizens of Broward County, Florida.
SIXTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT
Dennis W. Ward, State Attorney
530 Whitehead Street, Suite 201
Key West, Florida 33040-6547
(305) 292-3400
The Sixteenth Judicial Circuit has three locations – the Freeman Justice Center located in Key West, the Marathon Branch Courthouse located in Marathon, and the Plantation Key Government Center in Tavernier.
FIFTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT
Alexcia Cox, State Attorney
401 N. Dixie Highway
West Palm Beach, Florida 33401-4209
(561) 355-7100
The Fifteenth Judicial Circuit Court is located in West Palm Beach, FL, and serves all of Palm Beach County.
On November 5, 2024, Alexcia Cox narrowly defeated Sam Stern in a tight race to succeed Dave Aronberg as the county’s top prosecutor.
FOURTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT
Larry Basford, State Attorney
421 Magnolia Avenue
Panama City, Florida 32401
(850) 872-4473
The Fourteenth Judicial Circuit includes Bay County, Calhoun County, Gulf County, Holmes County, Jackson County, and Washington County, FL.
THIRTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT
*Susan “Suzy” Lopez
County Courthouse Annex, 5th Floor
800 East Kennedy Boulevard
Tampa, Florida 33602-4199
(813) 272-5400
*The duly elected State Attorney Andrew Warren was “suspended” through an executive order that has not yet been upheld or invalidated by the Florida Senate. After suspending Andrew Warren, Governor Ron DeSantis named The Honorable Susan S. Lopez (a then-sitting judge) to that position. She later won the election for that position in 2024.
The Thirteenth Judicial Circuit serves the 1.5 million residents in Hillsborough County with courthouses in Tampa and Plant City. In 2016 and 2020, State Attorney Andrew H. Warren was duly elected by the votes in Hillsborough County, FL. In fact, in 2020, State Attorney Andrew Warren won the election with 53.4% of the vote, while his Republican challenger, Mike Perotti, received 46,623 fewer votes. As a pro-law-enforcement candidate, Mike Perotti was a former Assistant State Attorney in Hillsborough County. In 2008, he served as Deputy Chief Legal Counsel for the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office under Sheriff David Gee.
At last count, the office has 132 Assistant State Attorneys and 162 other staff members, including receptionists, paralegals, administrators, investigators, and victim advocates.
TWELFTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT
Ed Brodsky, State Attorney
Criminal Justice Building, Suite 400
2071 Ringling Boulevard
Sarasota, Florida 34237-7000
(941) 861-4400
The Twelfth Judicial Circuit serves Desoto, Manatee & Sarasota counties.
ELEVENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT
Katherine Fernandez-Rundle, State Attorney
E. R. Graham Building
1350 N. W. 12 Avenue
Miami, Florida 33136
(305) 547-0100
The Eleventh Judicial Circuit serves Miami-Dade County, FL.
TENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT
Brian Hass, State Attorney
255 Broadway Avenue
Bartow, Florida 33830
(863) 534-4800
The Tenth Judicial Circuit, with offices in Bartow, Lakeland, Winter Haven, Wauchula, and Sebring, serves Polk County, Highlands County, and Hardee County, Florida.
NINTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT
Monique H. Worrell, State Attorney
415 North Orange Avenue
Orlando, Florida 32801
(407) 836-2400
With more than 155 prosecutors, the Ninth Circuit State Attorney’s Office serves Orange and Osceola counties.
EIGHTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT
Brian S. Kramer, State Attorney
120 West University Avenue
Gainesville, Florida 32601
(352) 374-3670
The Eighth Judicial Circuit serves Baker County, Bradford County, Union County, Levy County, and Gilchrist County.
SEVENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT
R.J. Larizza, State Attorney
The Justice Center
251 North Ridgewood Avenue
Daytona Beach, Florida 32114-7505
(386) 239-7710
The Seventh Judicial Circuit covers Volusia, Flagler, St. Johns, and Putnam counties. The State Attorney’s Office is located in DeLand, Daytona Beach, Bunnell, St. Augustine, and Palatka.
SIXTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT
Bruce L. Bartlett, State Attorney*
14250 49th Street North, Room 1000
Clearwater, Florida 33762
(727) 464-6221
The Sixth Judicial Circuit includes both Pinellas and Pasco counties.
*On January 21, 2021, Gov. Ron DeSantis appointed Bruce L. Bartlett as State Attorney for the Sixth Judicial Circuit. Before being appointed State Attorney for the Sixth Judicial Circuit, Bruce Bartlett served as the chief assistant to State Attorney Bernie McCabe for nearly 30 years. Voters will vote on the new State Attorney position in 2022.
FIFTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT
William “Bill” Gladson, State Attorney
19 N. W. Pine Avenue
Ocala, Florida 34475
(352) 620-3800
The Fifth Judicial Circuit includes Marion, Citrus, Lake, Sumter, and Hernando counties.
FOURTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT
Melissa Nelson, State Attorney
330 East Bay Street, 6th Floor
Duval County Courthouse, Room 600
Jacksonville, Florida 32202
(904) 630-2400
The Fourth Judicial Circuit covers Duval County, Clay County, and Nassau County.
THIRD JUDICIAL CIRCUIT
John Durrett, State Attorney
100 S.E. Court Street
Live Oak, Florida 32064
(386) 362-2320
The Third Judicial Circuit is comprised of Columbia, Dixie, Hamilton, Lafayette, Madison, Suwannee, and Taylor Counties.
SECOND JUDICIAL CIRCUIT
Jack Campbell, State Attorney
Leon County Courthouse
301 South Monroe Street, Suite 475
Tallahassee, Florida 32399-2550
(850) 606-6000
Serving a population of over 300,000 in the six counties of Leon, Franklin, Gadsden, Jefferson, Liberty, and Wakulla.
FIRST JUDICIAL CIRCUIT
Ginger Bowden Madden, State Attorney
190 Government Center
Pensacola, Florida 32501
(850) 595-4746
The First Judicial Circuit serves the counties of Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, and Walton.
How Many State Attorneys Does Florida Have?
Florida is divided into twenty (20) judicial circuits, each composed of Circuit and County Courts. For this reason, Florida has twenty (20) different State Attorneys representing the twenty (20) different judicial circuits, each comprising one to seven counties.
In each judicial circuit, the State Attorney acts in a semi-judicial role by leading a staff of attorneys tasked with applying the state criminal laws fairly and consistently. The prosecutors aim to convict or punish the guilty while protecting the innocent from false allegations.
While acting as the Chief Criminal Prosecutor, the State Attorney also represents the State in various civil matters and litigation. In addition to these duties, the State Attorney provides legal advice to law enforcement agencies within the circuit and works with them to provide in-service training.
The judicial circuits, plus the five District Courts of Appeal and the Supreme Court of Florida, constitute the Florida State Courts System.
Prosecutorial Discretion in Florida
Prosecutors have wide discretion in criminal cases. For example, the decision to prosecute rests wholly with the Office of the State Attorney. Henry v. State, 825 So. 2d 431, 433 (Fla. 1st DCA 2002).
In State v. Bloom, 497 So. 2d 2 (Fla. 1986), the Florida Supreme Court recognized that the decision to charge and prosecute a defendant is completely discretionary and is vested in the hands of the prosecutor. Similarly, in Valdes v. State, 728 So. 2d 736 (Fla. 1999), the court concluded that “as the prosecuting officer, the state attorney has ‘complete discretion’ in the decision to charge and prosecute . . . .”
“[T]he judiciary cannot interfere with this ‘discretionary executive function.’ ” Id. (quoting State v. Bloom, 497 So. 2d 2, 3 (Fla. 1986).
What happens when a defendant challenges the authority of a prosecutor to handle a case rather than the jurisdiction of a prosecutor to bring a case? To challenge the authority of a prosecutor to handle a case, the challenge must be brought in a direct proceeding by quo warranto. Bolden v. State, 832 So. 2d 153 (Fla.2d DCA 2002).
The actions of an acting state attorney “shall be in all respects as valid as a regularly appointed state attorney.” § 27.16, Fla. Stat.
Oath Upon Filing Each Felony Information
The Florida Supreme Court requires the State Attorney or a designated assistant to make a special oath upon filing each felony information. The oath provides:
“Personally appeared before me _____________________, Assistant State Attorney of the ____ Judicial Circuit of Florida, who being first duly sworn, says that he/she certifies that he/she has received testimony under oath from the material witness or witnesses for the offense and that he/she institutes the prosecution in good faith. See Fla. R. Crim. P. 3.140(g).”
Before filing an information, every State Attorney should:
- seek probable cause in his/her investigation; and
- determine the possibility of proving the case beyond and to the exclusion of every reasonable doubt.
If proving the case cannot be accomplished, no information should be filed and the defendant should be released.
Law enforcement agencies and the State Attorney must follow standardized procedures, which vary in each judicial circuit. Under Florida Rule of Criminal Procedure 3.115, the attorney is required to “provide the personnel or procedure for criminal intake in the judicial system.”
Duties of the Prosecutor
According to the American Bar Association’s Standards for the Prosecution Function, Standard 3-1.2 explains the functions and duties of the prosecutor. Under subsection (a), the prosecutor is an administrator of justice, a zealous advocate, and an officer of the court. The prosecutor’s office should exercise sound discretion and independent judgment in the performance of the prosecution function.
Under (b), the primary duty of the prosecutor is to:
“[S]eek justice within the bounds of the law, not merely to convict. The prosecutor serves the public interest and should act with integrity and balanced judgment to increase public safety both by pursuing appropriate criminal charges of appropriate severity, and by exercising discretion to not pursue criminal charges in appropriate circumstances. The prosecutor should seek to protect the innocent and convict the guilty, consider the interests of victims and witnesses, and respect the constitutional and legal rights of all persons, including suspects and defendants.”
Cost of Prosecution in Florida
The State Attorney’s Office might file a “NOTICE OF REQUEST FOR COSTS OF PROSECUTION” under Section 938.27, Florida Statutes. In most cases, the notice requests that the court impose the cost of prosecution of $100.00 for felony prosecutions or $50.00 for the costs of misdemeanor or criminal traffic prosecutions upon sentencing.
Differences between the State Attorney and the United States Attorney
Florida has an elected Attorney General and twenty (20) State Attorneys. The United States has one (1) Attorney General and ninety-three (93) U.S. Attorney offices throughout the United States, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, and the Northern Mariana Islands. Each office is assigned a “United States Attorney” and several “Assistant United States Attorneys” working under them.
Additional Resources
Office of Statewide Prosecution – The Florida Constitution directs the Attorney General’s Office to maintain an Office of Statewide Prosecution to prosecute cases that impact two or more judicial circuits in the State of Florida. Because each case must be prosecuted in the county where the crime occurred, the statewide prosecutors travel to courtrooms throughout every judicial circuit in Florida. The statewide prosecutor focuses primarily on organized criminal activity involving computers, drugs, or economic crimes.
Florida Prosecuting Attorneys Association – The Florida Prosecuting Attorneys Association (FPAA) is a nonprofit corporation. Members include the elected State Attorney for each judicial circuit and over 2,000 Assistant State Attorneys throughout Florida. FPAA was created to serve the needs of prosecutors in Florida. The primary function of FPAA is to educate prosecutors through seminars, publications, and technical support. FPAA produces a Domestic Violence Resource Handbook and Trial Notebook in addition to the written materials and videos that accompany each seminar.
Executive-Order-DeSantis Suspension of State Attorney Andrew Warren Hillsborough County – Read the executive order that Governor Ron DeSantis used to “suspend” State Attorney Andrew Warren. The executive order alleges “neglect of duty” and “incompetence.”
This article was last updated on Friday, November 8, 2024.
