Thereasa Hunnewell, a former prosecutor for the State Attorney’s office, has recently opened her own criminal defense firm downtown at 353 E. Forsyth St.
How long was she with the State Attorney’s office?
Hunnewell has worked for the past 10 years with Harry Shorstein and the State Attorney’s office. For the last four years, she was a division chief and a member of the office’s homicide team.
Why did you decide to make the transition from prosecution to criminal defense?
“I had been (at the State Attorney’s office) for 10 years and had done everything that I had set out to do and I enjoyed it. I wanted to kind of expand as an attorney. I want to do some federal work and broaden my horizons.”
But isn’t it a little contradictory to go from locking criminals away for 10 years to fighting to keep them out of jail?
“As a prosecutor, I like to think that I was very broad-minded. Not all people in trouble with the law are evil and it is not always black and white. There are many shades of gray.”
Now that she is on the defense side of criminal law, Hunnewell said she really enjoys “seeing how appreciative that clients are at the help I can give them.”
Why did you choose to go into this area of law?
“I have always loved the courtroom and being in trial. I also love the dynamic of criminal cases. They are always interesting. There are interesting facts and you get to meet all types of people from many different walks of life. It’s definitely not a boring job.”
In criminal law, what is the biggest issue that people have the most trouble understanding?
“Burden of proof. A lot of people think that because the evidence more than likely shows that someone did something wrong, they must be guilty. I think your average citizen doesn’t understand what is meant by ‘beyond a reasonable doubt.’ A lot of people think we use circumstantial evidence.”
Education
A non-traditional student, Hunnewell was married and had four children before she received her undergraduate degree in criminal justice from the University of North Florida. Besides overcoming the giant hurdle of attaining a college degree while raising four children, Hunnewell was also valedictorian of her class. She received her J.D. from Florida State University.
Family
Husband Circuit Court Judge W. Gregg McCaulie and children Adriana Persellin, 22; Zeviel Persellin, 21; Tyler Persellin, 19; and Jared Persellin, 18.
– By Kent Jennings Brockwell