The State Attorney's Office for the Fourth Judicial Circuit of Florida is responsible for the prosecution of all crimes committed in Duval, Clay and Nassau Counties in Northeast Florida.

Harry L. Shorstein was appointed State Attorney for the Fourth Judicial Circuit of Florida by The Honorable Lawton Chiles, Governor of the State, in April, 1991. He was retained as State Attorney by the people of the State of Florida in 1992, re-elected in 1996, and ran unopposed in 2000.

The State Attorney's Office has a broad-based criminal law practice.  Our practice encompasses the investigation and prosecution of cases ranging from murder to petit theft, public corruption and environmental crime to drug trafficking, racketeering and domestic violence. The office is organized by divisions.  Each division concentrates on a different category of cases.

The County Court Division consists of 14-16 attorneys and three supervising attorneys. This unit conducts criminal intake for misdemeanor offenses and prosecutes all misdemeanor cases and criminal traffic offenses.

The Circuit Court Division has jurisdiction over all felony prosecutions and consists of seven felony divisions. Five of the divisions handle a broad, general felony caseload. The other two divisions specialize in the prosecution of career criminals. These two divisions, known as the Repeat Offender Courts, are staffed by experienced trial attorneys and prosecute career criminals who have been targeted for severe sentences upon conviction.

Our Juvenile Division, consisting of felony-level attorneys, prosecutes crimes committed by juveniles. These attorneys practice before Circuit Court judges who are assigned to the Juvenile Division on a rotating basis.

In addition, our office has developed expertise in the investigation and prosecution of particular types of crimes. At present, the office has a Special Assault Unit, a Homicide Unit, a Traffic Homicide Unit, a Gun Crimes Unit, a Public Interest Unit, a Drug and Vice Unit, and an Environmental Crimes Unit.

This agency has two satellite offices located in Clay and Nassau Counties. Each office is staffed by several attorneys who handle all felony, misdemeanor and juvenile prosecutions on a full-time basis.

Our staff consists of approximately 90 attorneys, 26 investigators, 31 paralegals and 218 support personnel. The main office is located in Duval County.