Florida’s new state attorney for the 9th Judicial Circuit, Andrew Bain, said he plans to crack down on violent crime and offer rehabilitation for nonviolent offenders.
“With a steadfast dedication to fairness, justice, and accountability, State Attorney Bain aims to renew the public’s faith in the criminal justice system while ensuring safety for the Orange and Osceola community for all residents,” according to a statement sent out from his office on Aug. 10.
Mr. Bain was appointed by Gov. Ron DeSantis on Aug. 9 to replace former State Attorney Monique Worrell. Her controversial removal and his appointment were announced during a news conference early that morning.
She reacted with fury, making speeches, posting to social media, and appearing on television to decry her removal as unfair and unwarranted.
Supporters echoed the sentiment, saying Mr. DeSantis removed her in a fit of political pique.
Ms. Worrell, who received campaign donations from billionaire George Soros, has been accused of having a long history of not enforcing the law and releasing 16,243 defendants without prosecution.
That, she said, endangers Floridians.
Other law enforcement officials, including the popular, no-nonsense Sheriff Grady Judd of Polk County, agreed.
Ms. Worrell’s habit of releasing suspects with long criminal is especially appalling in that law enforcement officers risk their lives to bring them to justice, Mr. Judd said.
In his first 100 days, Mr. Bain pledged to restore public trust with “fairness, accountability, transparency, collaboration, and effective prosecution,” the statement from his office reads.
He will prioritize prosecuting violent crimes like murder, rape, drug trafficking, and other “major criminal offenses,” it reads.
Mr. Bain announced that his staff will review dropped criminal cases involving major crimes, according to the statement.
“State Attorney Bain is implementing a victim-first prosecution against violent crimes, drug trafficking, and major criminal offenses, with a focus on swift and just resolutions.”
The former judge announced a commitment to both, calling for speedier trials, more training for prosecutors, and the hiring of more prosecutors.
At the same time, Mr. Bain’s statement focused on rehabilitation for nonviolent offenders.
A “Second Chance Program” would “enhance previously implemented diversion programs that work to prevent continuing harm to the community and a reduction in recidivism,” according to the statement.
The Second Chance Program will include moves to fight poverty, homelessness, poor mental health, hunger, and lack of job training. These issues push people into crime, he said in the statement.
In the future, the state attorney’s office will cooperate more fully with the police, Mr. Bain said.
On his first day of work, he met with Orange County and Osceola County law enforcement agencies to “enhance communication, coordination, and data-sharing to combat criminal activities effectively,” according to the prepared statement.
Elected to Not Prosecute
His predecessor, Ms. Worrell, described her removal from office by Mr. DeSantis as “an outrage” in an Aug. 9 post on X, formerly known as Twitter.
“I did exactly what I said I would do, and that is what you want from an elected official,” Ms. Worrell said.
After that, police had been looking for Daton Viel because they suspected he killed a man. During an encounter, he shot two police officers in the face.
Ms. Worrell said the decision to release him had been a judge’s decision, and not hers. Others argued she should have asked the judge to detain him until trial, based on his criminal history.
Ms. Worrell didn’t prosecute criminal cases, avoided mandatory minimum sentences for drug and gun crimes, and let juveniles with criminal charges go free.
“Prosecutors have a duty to faithfully enforce the law,” Mr. DeSantis said while announcing her removal and replacement.
“One’s political agenda cannot trump this solemn duty. Refusing to faithfully enforce the laws of Florida puts our communities in danger and victimizes innocent Floridians.”
