{"id":372547,"date":"2023-11-11T20:34:06","date_gmt":"2023-11-12T01:34:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/florida-law\/florida-district-attorneys.html"},"modified":"2023-11-11T20:34:06","modified_gmt":"2023-11-12T01:34:06","slug":"florida-district-attorneys","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/florida-law\/florida-district-attorneys.html","title":{"rendered":"Florida District Attorneys"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Florida District Attorneys<\/h1>\n
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\n By Lisa Burden, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Melissa Bender, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

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The state attorney works with law enforcement agencies and law enforcement officers to determine whether to bring criminal charges against individuals based on the evidence gathered by law enforcement. If the evidence is strong enough, it is the responsibility of the state attorney to file charges to prosecute violations of the state’s criminal laws.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n\n

In the criminal justice system, every state has a key player responsible for prosecuting criminal offenses. In many states, this role is held by the district attorney or D.A. But the Sunshine State does things a bit differently. In Florida, this role is designated as the state attorney<\/a>, often abbreviated as S.A.<\/p>\r\n

The Office of the State Attorney leads a team of assistant state attorneys who work together to uphold Florida law. They are the prosecuting attorneys. State crimes are offenses against the state in the way federal crimes violate national law.<\/p>\r\n

Each state attorney has a specific geographical jurisdiction. The state attorney can investigate and prosecute crimes committed in their judicial circuit. The state of Florida has 20 judicial circuits, and each circuit has its own elected state attorney.<\/p>\r\n

Sometimes, the state attorney also convenes a grand jury to determine if the evidence is strong enough to file charges. Grand juries are often called for various reasons, including controversial or high-profile cases.<\/p>\r\n

While the state attorney’s primary focus is prosecuting crimes, they also ensure that the rights and needs of crime victims are addressed. The prosecutor’s office has victim advocates<\/a> who provide support and advocacy to victims and witnesses as their cases move through the criminal justice system.<\/p>\r\n

The Public Defender<\/h2>\r\n

If you’re accused of a crime, whether a felony or misdemeanor, but can’t afford an attorney, you can ask for a public defender<\/a>. In the state public defender system, 20 elected public defenders practice in 20 circuit courts<\/a> and 67 county courts<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n

Public defenders provide legal representation to people who can’t afford a private attorney. Defendants must pay a $50 fee and apply to the county <\/a>court clerk. The clerk determines whether the defendant is eligible for public defender services. Defendants are generally eligible for a public defender if their income levels are equal to or below 200% of federal poverty guidelines<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n

If you qualify for a public defender, one will be appointed:<\/p>\r\n