by Max Marbut
Staff Writer
“We’ve gotten off to a great start,” reported State Attorney for the 4th Judicial Circuit Angela Corey at Monday’s meeting of the Rotary Club of Jacksonville. In office one day shy of three weeks when she addressed the group, Corey said quite a bit has changed in the State Attorney’s Office in a short period of time. In particular, she mentioned several new programs and a cost-cutting measure that have already been put in place.
“One of the first things we did was form a new DUI Unit within the County Court system,” said Corey. “Most highway deaths are alcohol-related and those are some of the toughest cases to try so we needed experienced prosecutors handling those cases.”
Misdemeanor domestic violence cases are also receiving special attention, with two attorneys now assigned to the State Attorney’s Special Assault Unit. Corey said that in years past, “Too many misdemeanor assault victims have dropped the charges.”
More prosecutors have also been assigned to the Major Crimes and Homicide division to focus on prosecuting violent crimes and there will be a special concentration on prosecuting crimes against seniors. Corey said an additional prosecutor has been hired with funds from a State grant and cases involving crimes against elders, including abuse and embezzlement, will be handled in what she called a “special category.”
Corey’s office will also make use of the State’s resources when it comes to cybercrime and one form of local organized crime, said Corey.
“I met with Attorney General Bill McCollum to discuss cybercrime and gang-related crime,” she said. “We’re going to avail ourselves of all the technology the State has to offer.
“There is no more cowardly act than for someone to sit at a computer and lure a child into a sex crime. We’re also going to be working on identity theft crime.”
When asked about the issue of jail overcrowding, Corey said a new protocol will be instituted that can help alleviate that situation. It’s based on degree of crime and who has been charged and in some cases, an accused person could be released on their own recognizance.
“We’re working toward a system of not putting people in jail who don’t need to go there,” she said. “Non-custodial arrest can be used as in the case of someone accused of prescription fraud. If we have a person in their 30s or 40s who has become addicted to pain pills and they have never been to jail, for example. Also there are people who write worthless checks because they made a mistake in their checkbook – not because they had any intent to steal. There are some people who just don’t need to be booked into jail.”
Corey also said some of the State Attorney’s staff that have been working in office space leased from the private sector have been moved into the Courthouse Annex on Bay Street, “And that’s saving the City about $15,000 a year.”
When Corey stepped to the lectern to begin her remarks, she recognized former State Attorney and Mayor Ed Austin, who hired Corey as an assistant in 1981.
“To me you’ll always be ‘Boss’,” she said then added, “Boss, I plan to make you proud.”
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