Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis suspends State Attorney Monique Worrell. Here's why
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Florida Governor Ron DeSantis suspended State Attorney Monique Worrell of the Ninth Judicial Court Wednesday morning for neglect of duty. He suspended her via executive order.
"Monique Worrell’s administration of criminal justice in the ninth circuit has been clearly and fundamentally derelict so as to constitute neglect of duty and incompetence," Gov. DeSantis said Wednesday during a press conference. He appointed judge Andrew Bain to replace her.
Among the grievances against Worrell, Gov. DeSantis said her office:
- Avoided minimum mandatory sentences for gun crimes
- Avoided minimum mandatory sentences for drug trafficking offenses
- Allowed juvenile offenders to avoid serious charges and incarceration
- Avoided sentencing enhancements under practice limiting charges for child pornography
CONTINUING COVERAGE
- Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis suspends State Attorney Monique Worrell. Here's why
- 'A weak dictator': Monique Worrell slams Gov. Ron DeSantis over her state attorney suspension
- Monique Worrell: What to know about Florida state attorney suspended by Gov. Ron DeSantis
- Andrew Bain: Who is the Florida judge replacing Monique Worrell as state attorney?
- Monique Worrell to continue bid for reelection amid suspension as state attorney: 'Prepared to fight'
- Here's what Florida leaders are saying about state attorney's suspension
Read the executive order suspending State Attorney Monique Worrell
"Worrell’s practices and policies have too often allowed violent criminals to escape the full consequences of their criminal conduct, thereby endangering the innocent civilians of Orange and Osceola counties," DeSantis said in a statement.
He acknowledged that prosecutors do have discretion in what cases they decide to try and not try, but alleged that Worrell "abused that discretion and effectively nullified certain laws in the state of Florida."
"That breaches her duties that she owes to the people of Florida under our state constitution," he said.
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Monique Worrell: 'This is an outrage'
Monique Worrell speaks after state attorney suspension
Former State Attorney Monique Worrell described her suspension by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis on Wednesday as a "loss of democracy" by a "weak dictator." She said she plans to fight her suspension in court and that she will continue to run for re-election as State Attorney.
Who is Andrew Bain?
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis tapped Judge Andrew Bain to replace Monique Worrell as State Attorney of Florida's Ninth Judicial Circuit Court, after Worrell was suspended.
Bain received his bachelor's degree from the University of Miami and his law degree from Florida A&M University's College of Law, according to his online bio.
He served as assistant state attorney in the Ninth Circuit since 2013, according to a news release from Gov. DeSantis' Office. He was appointed to the Orange County Court in June 2020.
"My goals as state attorney are to restore order and restore the faith in the law. Restore our public trust, restore our relationship with our fellow partner, justice
partners in law enforcement, and to create last longing to create lasting relationships for local service agencies and nonprofits that are here to help serve our community," Bain said during Wednesday's press conference.
Second time DeSantis has suspended a state attorney
In August 2022, Gov. DeSantis suspended Hillsborough County state attorney Andrew Warren for publicly stating he would not enforce the state's 15-week abortion ban.
A federal judge upheld that suspension in January 2023.