what can the state attorney office do for you in florida

The State's Attorney can be the debt collector for local government, especially when it comes to property taxes and bankruptcy issues.The office also offers legal advice and representation for local government human service agencies when it comes to child protection and welfare, child support, and adult services, including civil commitment hearings, welfare assistance and vulnerable adult issues.

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Where are the state attorneys offices in Florida?

With offices in Bartow, Lakeland, Winter Haven, Wauchula, and Sebring, the Tenth Judicial Circuit serves Polk County, Highlands County, and Hardee County, FL. With more than 155 prosecutors, the Ninth Circuit State Attorney’s Office serves Orange and Osceola counties.

What does the state attorney's office do?

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.

How many attorneys are there in Florida?

There are 75,697 attorneys in Florida. That means there are 37 attorneys for every 10,000 people living in Florida. The Professional Rules of Conduct are the statutes that guide an attorney in Florida actions in the practice of law.

Can a lawyer in Florida solicit clients in person?

Solicitation Generally, an attorney in Florida or their employees may not solicit prospective clients in person when the main motive is a pecuniary gain if that potential client doesn’t have a familial relationship or a former client. You can send print advertising but you must follow the rules set out.

What does the state attorney do?

The functions of the State Attorney is as follows: The drafting and managing of contracts on behalf of the State. The handling of criminal and civil litigation cases instituted against State officials and committed by means of acts or omissions while executing their official duties.

What happens when a case goes to the States Attorney?

Either a judge or a jury may decide the verdict on how well the State's Attorney proved the case. During the trial, the State's Attorney may make opening and closing statements, offer evidence, question witnesses and challenge the defense attorney's legal actions.

How long does the state attorney have to file charges in Florida?

Regardless of the severity of the charge, the state only has 175 days after an arrest to file charges, and that is found in Florida Rule of Criminal Procedure 3.191.

Can the state Attorney General prosecute local cases?

Chapter 1, section 1.09, of the Penal Code provides that, “with the consent of the appropriate local county or district attorney, the Attorney General has concurrent jurisdiction with that consenting local prosecutor” to prosecute certain offenses, including: Misuse of state property or funds. Abuse of office.

What is a state attorney in Florida?

Ashley Moody (Republican Party)Florida / Attorney generalAshley Brooke Moody is an American attorney and politician serving as the Florida attorney general since January 2019. Wikipedia

What is one reason prosecutors may decide to dismiss cases?

After charges are filed, prosecutors and sometimes courts may dismiss such charges for some of the same reasons that charges are dropped before being filed. Evidence may be poor, witnesses may be unavailable or illegal tactics may have been used to gather evidence or make arrests.

How long after a crime can you be charged?

6 monthsSection 179 of the Criminal Procedure Act 1986 (NSW) reads as follows: Proceedings for a summary offence must be commenced not later than 6 months from when the offence was alleged to have been committed.

What is the statute of limitations for a felony in Florida?

Generally, cases for other first-degree felonies must be started within 4 years and cases for second-degree felonies must be started within 3 years. But there are some exceptions: For a felony involving the use of a destructive device, resulting in injury to a person, the time limit is 10 years.

Can a felony be reduced to a misdemeanor in Florida?

With the help of an experienced criminal defense attorney, however, you can have felony charges reduced to a misdemeanor, drastically lowering the maximum penalty for the crime.

What's the difference between attorney and lawyer?

Attorney vs Lawyer: Comparing Definitions Lawyers are people who have gone to law school and often may have taken and passed the bar exam. Attorney has French origins, and stems from a word meaning to act on the behalf of others. The term attorney is an abbreviated form of the formal title 'attorney at law'.

What are some of the issues in prosecuting the offenders?

Prosecutors face a myriad of challenges that can influence their decisionmaking and performance. These challenges include persistent problems with inadequate resources, staff retention, and accountability, as well as contemporary issues related to changing technology and case law.

How do I file a criminal complaint against someone?

In order to start a criminal case against someone when the police aren't involved, you must:Go to the police station in the city/town closest to where the incident/offense took place.Get a Police Incident Report form and fill out the form.Submit the form to the police.

How many state attorneys are there in Florida?

There are 20 State Attorneys in the State of Florida representing 20 judicial circuits. For more information about each of the circuits, visit Florida’s State Attorneys.

What is the role of the statewide prosecutor in Florida?

The Statewide Prosecutor is responsible for prosecuting certain criminal cases that span more than two judicial circuits.

What is a misdemeanor in Florida?

A misdemeanor offense is defined by Florida Law as offenses punishable by a maximum sentence of incarceration of up to one year in county jail.

What is a deposition in Florida?

Depositions: This is a way where the State and Defense learn about the case. Florida law allows the defense to interview witnesses before trial. You will receive a subpoena and will be sworn prior to the deposition before an official court reporter. The Defendant will not be present.

Where to report a complaint about a law enforcement officer?

If you have a complaint about a law enforcement officer, you should first report it to that agency’s Internal Affairs department. Once your complaint is investigated, and it warrants an arrest, the case is submitted to our office for an investigation to confirm if there is evidence suitable for prosecution.

What is a felony division?

What is the Felony Division? The Felony Division is were crimes are more serious than a misdemeanor, carrying a penalty of possible incarceration in a state prison facility.

Be A Florida Hero

Attorney General Ashley Moody launched a nationwide law enforcement recruitment initiative to encourage job seekers to pursue law enforcement careers in Florida. BeAFloridaHero.com is the first-of-its-kind, one-stop shop for anyone seeking to protect and serve.

Scams at a Glance: Cryptocurrency Scams

Attorney General Moody has released a new resource to help Floridians avoid falling victim to cryptocurrency scams. Scams at a Glance: Cryptocurrency Scams provides information about cryptocurrency as well as the different types of scams to watch out for.

Scams at a Glance

Attorney General Ashley Moody released a new resource for Floridians to use for protection against fraud. Scams at a Glance is a new outreach program complete with a webpage on the OAG website with information about common and emerging scams.

Historic Opioid Litigation

Attorney General Moody has secured billions in nationwide, historic settlement agreements, through aggressive litigation and negotiation efforts to hold major corporations responsible for distributing, manufacturing and marketing deadly opioids fueling the deadly epidemic.

Senior Protection Team

Attorney General Ashley Moody’s Senior Protection Team is an intra-agency group of attorneys and investigators dedicated to stopping senior fraud and abuse.

Back the Blue

Attorney General Ashley Moody’s Back the Blue Campaign awards law enforcement officers, citizens and organizations going above and beyond to support law enforcement.

Dose of Reality Florida

Attorney General Ashley Moody launched a new website seeking to educate Floridians about the dangers of misusing prescription painkillers and other opioids such as heroin and fentanyl.

What is the largest county in Florida?

Instead, contact this office by phone or in writing. With a total area of 2,305 square miles and a land area of 2,025 square miles, Collier County is the largest county in Florida and is larger than the states of Delaware and Rhode Island.

Where is Lee County FL?

Instead, contact this office by phone or in writing. Located in Southwest Florida, Lee County is bordered by the Gulf of Mexico and Charlotte Harbor on the west, Charlotte County to the North, Collier County to the South, and Hendry County to the East.

Is email a public record in Florida?

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. Charlotte County has two notable rivers, the Myakka and Peace.

Is Florida email public records?

Human Resources Director. 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.

How are state attorneys elected?

In general, State's Attorneys are elected by the people they represent. Their duties are spelled out in the laws of the local governments they represent, and they're held accountable by the voters for how well they do their jobs and how well their performance matches up with the local politics of the area. But a State's Attorney hardly ever does ...

What is the job of a criminal prosecutor?

Criminal prosecutions are the chief duty of most State's Attorney offices. In many states, such as Michigan, criminal prosecutions follow a predetermined series of steps [source: Prosecuting Attorneys Association of Michigan ]. First, police file a warrant or charging request with the State's Attorney following an investigation.

What is a Commonwealth's Attorney?

States that refer to themselves as commonwealths, such as Virginia and Kentucky, refer to them as Commonwealth's Attorneys [source: Commonwealth's Attorneys Services Council ]. State's Attorneys generally represent a defined geographic area, such as a county, judicial district or judicial circuit. These generally hold the title ...

What is a prosecutor?

A State's Attorney is the most common term for a prosecutor, someone who represents the people in criminal and civil legal matters. But while the most iconic image of a State's Attorney is ...

Does a state attorney do the job alone?

But a State's Attorney hardly ever does the job alone . Many have offices that contain dozens or even hundreds of appointed assistant or deputy State's Attorneys, as well as support staff. These assistants or deputies are the ones who routinely appear in court, representing the State's Attorney's office.

Do state attorneys prosecute criminals?

But while the most iconic image of a State's Attorney is the trial prosecutor depicted in countless television shows, books and films, State's Attorneys don't just prosecute accused criminals.

How to determine the hourly rate of an attorney in Florida?

You determine the total fee by multiplying the fixed hourly rate by the number of hours your work.

How does a judge determine the number of fees?

The judge sets the fee by determining a list of factors that are set out in the Code of Professional Conduct, Rule 4-1.5 (b).

Can an attorney share office space?

Attorneys may share office space, but need to be wary of holding themselves out to be partners if they are not. It is acceptable to share a common reception area or library.

Do auto accident attorneys get paid?

Personal injury, collections, and auto accidents are cases where attorneys can agree to be paid a contingent fee. The lawyer’s payment is based on the amount of money recovered for the client.

Can an attorney solicit a client in Florida?

Generally, an attorney in Florida or their employees may not solicit prospective clients in person when the main motive is a pecuniary gain if that potential client doesn’t have a familial relationship or a former client.

What is an investigator in the state of Florida?

An Investigator with the State Attorney’s Office is responsible for investigatory work, and conducting criminal investigations into felony and misdemeanor cases. This requires a highly motivated, self-starting individual who works well without close supervision; someone who will work tirelessly until the job is completed, ...

How many years of experience do you need to become a Florida investigator?

Investigator applicants are required to have at least five years of prior law enforcement experience and current certification by the Florida (FDLE) Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission.