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Monique Worrell for State Attorney

Introducing Monique H. Worrell: a trailblazer, a visionary, and a relentless advocate for criminal justice reform. As the Duly Elected State Attorney for the Ninth Judicial Circuit Court of Florida, Monique is not just a prosecutor, but a catalyst for change in a system that cries out for transformation. She was elected in November of 2020 to bring reform to a criminal legal system that is fundamentally flawed, in order to achieve equity and to move our system towards justice. She served as the chief prosecutor until August 2023. 

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Born and bred in the vibrant streets of Brooklyn, New York, Monique’s journey to Central Florida in 1996 marked the beginning of her unwavering commitment to the pursuit of justice. Armed with a law degree from the prestigious University of Florida, College of Law, Monique embarked on a career as a Public Defender in Orange County, where she witnessed firsthand the injustices plaguing our criminal legal system.

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Driven by a burning desire to right these wrongs, Monique ventured into private practice, where she sharpened her skills and deepened her resolve to challenge the status quo. But it was her role as a clinical law professor at her alma mater that allowed her to sow the seeds of change in the minds of future legal luminaries. Through innovative programs like “Your Future, Your Choice.” She also became a founding director of the University’s Criminal Justice Center and developed a rigorous program that has produced many criminal law practitioners across the state of Florida. Through these ventures, Monique empowered youth and future attorneys to navigate the complexities of citizenship and avoid the pitfalls of the criminal legal system.

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Yet, Monique’s mission was far from over. As the founding director of the Ninth Judicial Circuit’s State Attorney’s Office Conviction Integrity Unit, she fearlessly led investigations into claims of wrongful conviction, exposing the flaws and biases entrenched within our legal framework. It was that experience that made her realize that change in the criminal legal system was critical and must come from within. Prior to being elected State Attorney, she served as Chief Legal Officer for a non-profit organization focused on criminal justice reform.

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As the State Attorney, Monique stood at the helm of a new era of justice. Her tenure has been marked by bold initiatives, visionary leadership, and an unwavering commitment to equity. From pioneering programs to dismantling systemic barriers to the legal system—spearheading community outreach efforts to pushing robust violent crime prevention efforts—Monique’s impact reverberates far beyond her title.

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As a keynote speaker, trainer, and consultant, Monique continues to inspire and empower individuals and organizations to challenge injustice wherever it lurks. In Monique, we find not just a prosecutor, but a champion of the oppressed, a voice for the voiceless, and a beacon of hope for a brighter, more just future. 

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Join her on this transformative journey as we rewrite the narrative of justice together.

Accomplishments as State Attorney

2021

  • Policies

    • Pandemic Response: Community Health and Safety Plan

    • Capital Case Review Panel

    • Officer-Involved Critical Incidents

    • Brady Review/Database

  • Successfully advocated for the restoration of general revenue appropriations to the Ninth Judicial Circuit’s State
    Attorney’s Office that was revoked under a prior administration.

  • Deputy Chief ASA Graduated from FDLE Executive Leadership Seminar​

  • Joined Orlando PD in grant application aimed at reducing gun violence

  • Partnered on a Gang Task Force with law enforcement and community partners

  • Identified a specialized team of attorneys dedicated to handling and resolving violent crime cases

  • Partnered with U.S. Attorney’s Office, OCSO, OPD, credible messengers and community partners to reduce gun violence in high-crime areas

  • Formed the Narcotics Unit

  • Formed the Traffic Homicide Division

  • Formed the Mental Health Unit

  • Formation of Direct Filing Process

  • Partnered with Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings on the Community Safety Taskforce

  • Partnered with Victim Rights Advocate and Sexual Assault Survivor Gail Gardner on amplifying “Gail’s Law” and our role in the prosecution of the case

  • Launched Prostitution Diversion Course

  • Partnered with Orange County Public Schools to work on language provided to the School Board that shifts how children are viewed in school

  • Partnered with local schools to bring “Your Future, Your Choice” to students – high focus on cyberbullying, the dangers of sexting, and their roles as citizens

  • Partnered with the Orange County Mental Health Criminal Justice Committee

  • Initiated the Prosecutorial Performance Indicators Project through Florida International University

  • Formed the Community Engagement Committee and highlighted Civilian Oversight and its Role in Effective Prosecution

  • Hosted the inaugural Candy in the Courtyard alongside the Public Defender’s Office, Judiciary, and law enforcement

  • Hosted the inaugural Thanksgiving Food Drive in partnership with the Public Defender's Office and community sponsors

  • Participated in the annual Toys for Tots initiative

  • Revamped the Office’s Performance Evaluations and Stabilized Salaries

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2022

  • Formed the Centralized Intake Unit

  • Hired Full-Time Interpreter

  • Formed Gun Violence Safety Task Force

  • Hosted the Statewide Criminal Justice Task Force

  • Formed the Special Victims Unit for Domestic Violence and Sex Crime cases

  • Established the Adult Civil Citation Program

  • Established the State Attorney’s Legal Internship Program

  • Legislative Priorities

    • Proposed legislation requiring that rehabilitation, and not just punishment, be a goal when sentencing criminal offenders

    • Proposed legislation prohibiting anyone involved in a domestic violence dispute from possessing a gun, to decrease the risk of deadly violence against a domestic violence victim.

    • Proposed legislation requiring law enforcement agencies to create a mental health crisis response team to assist mentally ill citizens in crisis, de-escalate any mental health episode, and connect citizens to treatment and support services.

    • Proposed legislation that would require law enforcement agencies to report officers who have committed crimes, or have engaged in other dishonest or immoral activities, so that prosecutors can determine whether that officer can serve as a credible witness in a criminal case.

    • Proposed legislation that would protect school-aged children from excessive force by law enforcement officers, where such force is unnecessary to restrain or correct the child.

    • Proposed legislation that would allow prosecutors to charge law enforcement officers with assault and battery against citizens, when an officer uses excessive force that goes above and beyond the call of duty when interacting with the public.

    • Requested funding to increase the starting salaries of assistant state attorneys to $75,000 from $50,000, which is the second lowest rate in the country for prosecutors.

    • Requested funding to support a $5,000 - $8,000 pay increase for support staff who would not get the benefit of Florida’s $15 minimum wage increase, but have been long-time dedicated employees of the State Attorney’s Office with few salary increases.

    • Requested funding to create diversion programs for individuals committing non-violent offenses, such as prostitution, non-traffic DUI, resisting arrest without violence, and other non-violent crimes that do not impact public safety, to reduce the number of unnecessarily incarcerated citizens.

    • Requested funding to hire more experienced prosecutors and support staff to fight the substantial rise in drug crimes, murders, burglaries, and other violent crimes in the Ninth circuit. Typically, experienced prosecutors leave the State Attorney's Office to pursue higher paying jobs, leaving prosecutors with less than 5 years of legal experience to handle serious criminal cases.

    • Proposed legislation to the juvenile justice system to combat youth violence.

    • Requested funding to operate a State Attorney Day Care Center to assist employees with the crushing costs of childcare, while decreasing the number of attorneys and staff who cannot afford to work for the State Attorney’s Office and also pay for childcare.

    • Requested funding for review of digital evidence that has doubled in most recent years due to the increased use of body worn cameras, dash cameras, or other videos like Nest Cams and Ring doorbell cameras.

  • Participated in Veterans Day Initiatives across the Circuit

  • Hosted the “Your Future, Your Choice” Law Day at the State Attorney’s office in partnership with the Orlando Police Department, local attorneys and community partners, that culminated in mock trial sessions for participants

  • Conducted Teen Dating Violence Presentations in High Schools

  • Launched the “Power of the Prosecutor” monthly podcast to discuss victim advocacy, community engagement, and the criminal legal system

  • Community Engagement Team launched a series of Townhall meetings in collaboration with law enforcement, city and county commissioners, state house representatives, and community partners

  • Jointed Moms Demand Action in a series of gun violence initiatives in Pine Hills

  • Hosted a Community Gun Rights and Gun Safety Panel geared towards responsible gun ownership, mental health awareness, and the impact of gun violence in our community, specifically as it relates to the youth

  • Hosted the second annual Candy in the Courtyard alongside the Public Defender’s Office, Judiciary, and law enforcement

  • Hosted the second annual Thanksgiving Food Drive in partnership with the Public Defender's Office and community sponsors

  • Participated in the annual Toys for Tots initiative

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2023​

  • ACES Training

  • Building Better Cases: Prosecutors and Law Enforcement Officers Working Collaboratively to Keep the Community Safe

  • Legislative Priorities:

    • Juvenile Justice Reform proposal that highlights more options for addressing juveniles who commit serious offenses that would both rehabilitate the juvenile and protect the public.

    • ​Officer's Duty to Intervene proposal that would require intervention, a duty to render aid, and reporting of such conduct to the employing law enforcement agency for investigation and resolution.

    • ​Reclassification of Assault and Battery offenses committed by Law Enforcement Officers that would reclassify the minimum sentences for assault and battery offenses committed by law enforcement officers. 

    • Use of Force on School-Aged Children proposal that would make it unreasonable to use certain force against a child on grade school campus under certain circumstances.

    • Mandatory Crisis Intervention Team Programs for Law Enforcement Agencies to establish Crisis Intervention Teams to, whenever possible, be the first responders to the mentally ill in crisis. 

    • Mandatory Reporting of Law Enforcement Discipline for Criminal Activity, Dishonesty, or Moral Turpitude.

    • Establish rehabilitation as a stated sentencing goal. The current statute highlighted a primary purpose of sentencing being to punish the offender. We advocated for rehabilitation as well. Rehabilitation is a desired goal of the criminal justice system and should be considered equally in pursuit of punishment.

    • Victim Compensation for Sexually Motivated Crimes. We seek to add the following language: "a violation of s. 800.04, encompassing all acts lewd on victims less than 16 years old."

  • Public Records and Media Training

  • Your Future, Your Choice: Bullying and Fighting Presentations in Middle and High Schools

  • Ninth Circuit Gun Violence Summit

  • Back to School Gun Safety Lock Initiative

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