Reelected Monique Worrell sworn in as Orange-Osceola state attorney

Monique Worrell speaks after being sworn-in as state attorney

Monique Worrell spoke to a crowd of supporters after being sworn in as Orange-Osceola state attorney on Tuesday morning. Worrell was suspended by Gov. Ron DeSantis in 2023, but was reelected, defeating Andrew Bain, in the November 2024 election.

ORLANDO, Fla. - Monique Worrell was officially sworn in as Orange-Osceola state attorney for Florida’s Ninth Judicial Circuit in front of a crowd of supporters and her team of prosecutors on Tuesday morning.

"Today is a pivotal moment, not just for the State Attorney's Office, but for this entire community that I had the privilege of serving once again,"Worrell said after taking the oath of office. "Eighteen months ago, I stood on these very steps after being unjustly removed from office that you elected me to. I told you then that I didn't intend to give up."

She took a moment to outline her mission, vision, and priorities for the role.

"The mission I have set forth for this State Attorney's Office is clear: to promote public safety, hold defendants accountable, advocate for victims, and address the root causes of crime to build stronger, safer communities," she said. "Justice, fairness and accountability cannot just be words. They are the heart of what we do in this office, and we must ensure every decision we make is for the greater good."

Worrell added that the swearing-in ceremony was more than just her reclaiming a position. Instead, it was about reclaiming democracy.

Who is Monique Worrell?

Worrell was first elected as state attorney in November 2020. She served as the lead prosecutor until August 2023, when she was suspended by Gov. Ron DeSantis.

She was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, and moved to Florida in 1996, according to her campaign website. She graduated from the University of Florida's College of Law and served as a public defender in Orange County. She also served as a clinical law professor at UF, her bio stated.

Monique Worrell sworn in as Orange-Osceola state attorney

Monique Worrell was officially sworn in as Orange-Osceola state attorney for Florida’s Ninth Judicial Circuit in front of a crowd of supporters and her team of prosecutors on Tuesday morning.

Why did DeSantis previously suspend Monique Worrell as state attorney?

DeSantis said he suspended Worrell for neglect of duty and incompetence, claiming that she prevented or discouraged assistant state attorneys from seeking minimum mandatory sentences for drug trafficking offenses or gun crimes, allowed juvenile offenders to avoid serious charges, and discouraged certain sentencing enhancements.

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DeSantis appointed judge Andrew Bain to replace her. Worell ultimately defeated Bain and won her job back during the November 2024 election.

Worrell has vehemently defended her record as Florida State Attorney against DeSantis' allegations.

Prior to her suspension, Worrell said while she was the state attorney, she formed the narcotics unit, traffic homicide division, mental health unit, adult civil citation program, gun violence safety task force, and Special Victims Unit for Domestic Violence and Sex Crime cases.

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