Lewis Sentenced to Life in Prison for 2018 Murder of Jessie Sumlar
About the SAO4
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The mission of the State Attorney’s Office is to pursue justice for the citizens |
The State Attorney's Office for the Fourth Judicial Circuit of Florida (SAO4) is responsible for the prosecution of all crimes committed in Clay, Duval, and Nassau counties. State Attorney Melissa Nelson took office January 3, 2017. The office's practice encompasses the investigation and prosecution of cases across the full spectrum of criminal activity including:
- Murder and violent crimes
- Sexual assault, domestic violence, and child abuse
- Property crimes
- Drug trafficking
- Public corruption
- Racketeering
- Impaired driving
The office is organized by divisions. Each division concentrates on a different category of cases.
The County Court Division handles misdemeanor offenses and criminal traffic offenses. The Circuit Court Division handles felony offenses.
The Juvenile Division prosecutes crimes committed by juveniles.
In addition, specialized divisions utilize attorney expertise in the investigation and prosecution on particular types of crimes. These include:
- Homicide
- Special Victims
- Targeted Prosecution
- Traffic Homicide
- Public Corruption
- Special Prosecution
The State Attorney's Office is the largest law office in Northeast Florida, staffed with approximately 110 attorneys and 225 support staff including investigators, victim advocates, paralegals, diversion specialists, clerical, and administrative personnel.
Office Organizational Chart
Download the SAO4 Organization Chart
Core Guiding Principles
We will:
- Treat all participants in the criminal justice system with respect;
- Empower crime victims, and treat them with dignity;
- Strive for fairness and impartiality in our use of prosecutorial discretion;
- Pursue just punishment and accountability for those guilty of crimes;
- Actively seek input from the diverse communities we serve;
- Lead with transparency in our actions and decision-making;
- Seek effective and innovative strategies for preventing and controlling crime;
- Support and explore alternatives to the penal system when appropriate;
- Act as good stewards of public resources entrusted to us for our work;
- Stay abreast of best practices in our field and employ technology effectively;
- Collaborate with other government and law enforcement agencies and community partners to enhance public safety;
- Act with professionalism.
PURSUE JUSTICE ALWAYS
