A Message from the State Attorney |
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Dear Friend,
As you may already know, every Florida legislative session, my Leadership Team and I advocate for solutions that affect and impact the work our office as well as the safety of our community. I always take advantage of this opportunity to educate our legislators about the needs of those who are essential to the operation of the criminal justice system. There is a whirlwind of activity, conversations, presentations, and meetings. We do not always get everything that we ask for, but we definitely take steps in the right direction.
It has been an honor and a privilege to advocate on behalf of all the dedicated prosecutors and staff throughout our criminal justice system for a livable wage, especially in this challenging economy. For years, I have shared with you our challenges in being able to recruit and retain the most talented individuals who are passionate about serving as ministers of justice. Last year, I helped obtain substantial raises. This year, the Legislature passed a 5% Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) for all State employees which is pending the Governor’s signature.
For our attorneys, in addition to the COLA, the budget also provides a Special Pay Increase (SPI) for prosecutors, which the Legislature requires be applied after the 5% COLA. This special pay increase comes with an appropriated set dollar amount that will allow me to raise the starting salary for newly hired Assistant State Attorneys, provide an additional percentage raise to each prosecutor to be calculated after the initial 5% COLA, and raise the floor for the various prosecutorial positions.
As our incredible support staff are equally deserving and the cost of living in Miami is so high, I advocated for a much-needed Locality Pay Additive for all positions. Unfortunately, the legislature did not include such an appropriation in the bill. Nevertheless, with the limited funds we have remaining from our existing vacancies, I intend to provide every support staff team member an additional increase to be effective June 1st, prior to the 5% COLA effective date.
We are thankful to the Legislature for the pay increase, and to those partners and stakeholders who joined us in advocating for greatly needed and deserved recognition. Upon being signed by the Governor, the raises will be effective July 1st.
I want you to be assured that I will continue to seek the compensation and benefits that those who choose a life of public service deserve. I will return to Tallahassee again and again for as long as it takes to accomplish this goal. There is no better way to show our appreciation and how much we value them for their continued commitment to our mission of securing public safety and safeguarding Smart Justice in our community. I am hopeful these increases will be of some assistance in this tough economy, and I will continue my fight for the Best Team in America!!
Thank you and God Bless,
Sincerely,
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Witness Protection Bill Passes |
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In other legislative news, we are excited to inform you about a recent major achievement of our State Attorney with regards to protections for vulnerable child victims. For more than 7 years, she labored and advocated for the passage of a Witness Protection Bill. As a result, beginning July 1, 2023, no depositions can be taken of sexual offense victims who are under the age of 16 without first conducting a court hearing to determine whether taking a deposition is appropriate. Furthermore, for victims of a sexual offense who are under the age of 12, there is a presumption that a deposition is not appropriate unless the death penalty is being sought and a forensic interview is unavailable.
The new law requires the judge to consider certain factors in deciding whether to permit the deposition, including whether the child was previously interviewed regarding the incident. Since children are forensically interviewed in most sexual abuse cases, the State will have the opportunity to object and prevent further trauma caused to these victims by forcing them to relive the abuse in defense deposition. If the judge finds that a deposition is appropriate, an order will be entered limiting the depositions to protect the victim.
State Attorney Fernandez Rundle’s indefatigable lobbying of first, the Florida Bar Rules Committee, and then, the Florida Legislature, finally paid dividends. This year’s success was a team effort which included the Florida Prosecuting Attorneys Association and other community partners, including Kristi House. However, it was due to the State Attorney’s leadership and persistence that her proposal will finally become law.
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Launch of Human Trafficking
Awareness Campaign
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State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle was joined by Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniela Levine Cava, MDC Board of County Commissioners Chairman Oliver G. Gilbert, III, and a representative for Miami-Dade Police Director & Chief of Safety and Emergency Response Alfredo "Freddy" Ramirez III, to launch a new Human Trafficking Awareness Campaign ahead of the Miami Grand Prix.
"We in government leadership and law enforcement, along with our community partners, are all united in our mission and our message: that human trafficking - the sexual exploitation of anyone, particularly our children and youth, will not be tolerated … not in our hometown,” said State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle.
The awareness campaign included billboards that were visible throughout Miami-Dade County displaying the SAO Human Trafficking Hotline number and the message that our community is united in the fight against this modern-day slavery. These were possible thanks to the Spanish Broadcasting System’s Albert Rodriguez and collaboration with The Women’s Fund Miami.
The same message was displayed on digital displays throughout Miami International Airport for the thousands of daily travelers they receive to see. Also, flyers created in collaboration with the National Council for Jewish Women were placed inside the over 400 bathrooms at the airport which also included the SAO Human Trafficking Hotline number and QR code.
"It is so important that we all keep our eyes open and report if we see or suspect human trafficking in our community. We have a hotline that activates a rapid response team 24/7, 365," adds State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle.
Call our local rapid response Human Trafficking Hotline at 305-FIX-STOP (305-349-7867) and say, 'Not in our community'.
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Voting Irregularities Lead to Arrest |
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State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle held a press conference along with her Public Corruption Unit, to announce the charging of Anthony DeFilippo, the present Mayor of the City of North Miami Beach with 3 counts of Unqualified Electors Willfully Voting, each count is a third-degree felony.
Records from the Miami-Dade Elections Department and the City of North Miami Beach allegedly indicate that Anthony DeFilippo voted illegally 3 times (August 2022, October 2022 and November 2022) using a City of North Miami Beach address at which he no longer resided . The 1458 N.E. 177th Street, North Miami Beach. FL property had been sold on/or about December 27, 2021.
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“Deliberately swearing to false information as alleged in this case, eats at the credibility of our voting and electoral systems,” stated State Attorney Fernandez Rundle. “Florida Statute 97.1031 states that when an elector changes his or her residence address, the elector must notify the supervisor of elections. And the important related statute, Florida Statute 97.041 (4) & (5) states that electors must be registered in precinct: provisions for change of residence or name. A person is not permitted to vote in any election precinct or district other than the one in which the person has his or her legal residence and in which the person is registered. Under existing Florida law violating these statutes is a 3rd degree felony.”
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Consular Corp of Miami Luncheon:
Current Status of Crime in Miami-Dade
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State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle was the honored guest and distinguished speaker at the Consular Corps of Miami luncheon event at which over 80 Consular members from different countries were in attendance.
The State Attorney addressed the current status of crime in Miami-Dade County and shared recent information from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) indicating a decrease in crime of 4.2% in Miami-Dade County in 2021, a marked difference compared to other large metropolitan areas of the country.
Consular Corps of Miami’s mission is to promote good relations and solidarity among its members and to encourage cooperation and friendship between the Corps and local governmental authorities and the residents of the State of Florida.
The Consular Corps is in charge of looking after their own foreign nationals in the host country.
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Child Support Program New Hires
Welcomed into the
Best Team in America
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State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle was proud and excited to welcome a group of New Hires for our Child Support Program division!
These individuals have chosen to join our SAO team to serve the children and families in Miami-Dade County who rely on us to help obtain the financial backing they are entitled to.
We welcome our new colleagues to the Best Team in America as we commit to ensure that all of the children of Miami-Dade County receive the support that they need and deserve.
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Mutually Accepted Plea Deal for Man who Flashed Gun to Teens During
MLK Day Protest
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Presidente Supermarkets Co-Founder Gets Life in Prison in 2011 Killing of Ex-Wife's Lover |
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Miami-Dade County Clerk Arrested For Stealing Court Cash Payments |
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Community Outreach in Action |
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Community Outreach Representative Janeen Jones participated in Lenora B. Smith Elementary School’s Career Day event at which she shared information about the role of the State Attorney’s Office, described the work of our Community Outreach Division, and provided brief descriptions of other career opportunities within the office.
Janeen also had the opportunity to discuss important issues with the students such as bullying, the use of phones/internet/social media, and other youth-related crime prevention strategies.
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Community Outreach Representative Angie Fernandez conducted our informative START Program presentation to over 75 fifth graders at Dr. Henry E. Perrine Academy of the Arts in Palmetto Bay.
The audience included students, teachers, counselors, school police, and the DARE Officer with Miami-Dade Police Department.
For more information about our programs or to schedule one of our presentations, please call 305-547-0724 or send an email to Communityoutreach@miamisao.com
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Community Outreach Representative Luis Martinez conducted a presentation on ID Theft and Hurricane Readiness at UNIDAD Senior Community Center in Miami Beach for over 50 attendees.
Luis provided information on the prevention of Identity Theft and methods in which identities are stolen. He also spoke to the group on the importance of Hurricane preparedness, being we are entering Hurricane Season.
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Community Outreach Representatives Angie Fernandez and Steve Machin, along with our Justice in Motion (JIM) Bus and JIM Jr., joined law enforcement partners and community residents for a Walking One Stop event in Little Haiti.
Steve assisted attendees with information regarding our Second Chance Program and eligibility requirements.
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SAO Alumni Profile in Passion |
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Stephanie V. Daniels,
Deputy Director,
Miami-Dade Police Department
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This month we highlight a distinguished
alumni of our SAO family.
We present our SAO Alumni Profile -
Deputy Director Stephanie V. Daniels.
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Smart Justice from
Miami, FL to Minas Gerais, Brazil
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At the request of the Public Ministry of Minas Gerais, Brazil, State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle and Chief Assistant State Attorney Stephen Talpins put together a training program for their prosecutors.
This was the result of the visit Chief Assistant Talpins made to Minas Gerais in 2022, during which we worked together to develop a monthly program that introduced their prosecutors to our various Smart Justice strategies and programs.
During the past week, a group of about two dozen participants visited Miami, including Minas Gerais Attorney General Jarbas Soares Júnior, during which we provided them an opportunity to see us in action. Today, we were joined by the Brazilian Ambassador at the Consulate General in Miami, André Odenbreit Carvalho for the final day of the visit.
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