Home Biography   Office Location  Divisions   Organization Chart    Records Requests Legal Links Employment

Divisions

Felony


County Court
This division prosecutes violations of criminal traffic laws, criminal violations of county and municipal ordinances and misdemeanor offenses. 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.

Juvenile
Juvenile is a Circuit Court Division handling all felony and misdemeanor cases including felony traffic offenses committed by individuals under the age of eighteen. Note: Misdemeanor traffic offenses are handled in County Court.

Standard sentencing alternatives include probation and commitment programs administered by the Department of Juvenile Justice. In addition, there are many specialized diversion programs designed to address public safety concerns as well as the needs of the juvenile. Examples of such programs are as follows:

Arbitration

Stop Theft Early and Learn

Shock

Tampa-Hillsborough Urban League

Wise Guys

Intensive Delinquency Diversion Services

Prodigy

Youth Opportunity Movement

Juvenile Drug Court

Walker Plan

We believe that early intervention is the key to redirecting a youth toward a more positive future.

Victim Assistance
The victim assistance program is here to help crime victims with problems associated with the crime. The court process can be confusing and intimidating. Counselors provide the services listed below and many other services, without charge to victims, throughout and often after the victim's involvement with the criminal justice system. Assistance can be provided in the following ways:

Emergency Services - Victim advocates are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, upon the request of law enforcement to provide emergency, on scene services to victims and family members.

General assistance - Information about the criminal justice system and explanation of the various stages of the prosecution. Advocating for the victim on behalf of employers, creditors and landlords when necessary. Serving as a liason between the victim and the assistant state attorney, law enforcement and other agencies.

Courtroom assistance - Escorts to hearings and depositions when reguested and seeking property return when it is no longer needed as evidence.

Notification of hearings - We will notify you in advance when possible of all crucial court dates. Court escorts to hearings, trials and depositions may be provided as needed.

Emotional Support - Trained counsellors help you deal with typical feelings of anger, frustration, guilt, loss, fear etc. and understanding the the common reactions and effects of the victimization. Mental health counselling is also available.

Victim Compensation - Assistance with eligibility and filing claims with the State Bureau of Victim Compensation for financial assistance with medical bills, lost wages, and funeral expenses.

Victim Rights - You will be informed of all the rights available to victims. We will assist you in seeking restitution and in preparing your victim impact statement.

Other assistance - Providing the victim with information about other community services such as shelter, emergency food, medical treatment etc. For question about Victim Assistance please call 272-6472

Domestic Violence - Specially trained counselors are available to assist victims of domestic violence in all of the areas described above, in addition to assistance with safety planning, relocation options, as well as assistance with filing for the appropriate Injunction for Protection through the civil court. If you are the victim of domestic violence you may call 272-6423

Worthless Check Unit - The worthless check unit provides assistance to victims of bad checks. For information regarding prosecution of a worthless check you may call 272-5336.