On Jan. 7, State Attorney Monique H. Worrell took the oath of office and returned to office as chief prosecutor for the Ninth Judicial Circuit.
In August 2023, Worrell was removed from office by Gov. Ron DeSantis for what he called, “Neglecting her duty to faithfully prosecute crime in her jurisdiction … Worrell’s practices and policies have too often allowed violent criminals to escape the full consequences of their criminal conduct, thereby endangering the innocent civilians of Orange and Osceola counties.”
In the November 2024 election, the votes of 414,000 Ninth Circuit citizens returned Worrell to office as she defeated Andrew Bain, the man DeSantis chose to replace Worrell.
“Our community spoke with clarity and conviction on November 5,” Worrell said at her re-swearing in, on the same steps of the Orange County Courthouse where she fought DeSantis’ ruling to no avail. “Today was about more than reclaiming a position— it was about reclaiming our democracy. It represents a renewal of trust, commitment and the promise that justice is not simply about punishment but about prevention, rehabilitation and creating opportunities for positive change.”
Through a statement from her office, Worrell said she pledged to lead the office with integrity, fairness and a commitment to justice for all. Under her leadership, the office will, “Prioritize making neighborhoods safer by holding offenders accountable, protecting the vulnerable and respecting the constitutional rights of every person.”
“Our duty goes beyond punishment. It is about building a justice system that people can believe in— one that supports victims, holds offenders accountable and restores trust between the system and the community,” she said.
Priorities listed in her press release included strengthening relationships with law enforcement and the community; re-evaluating diversion programs that are effective, evidencebased and aligned with the office’s mission; empowering young people about their rights, responsibilities and the consequences of their actions; and strengthening community partnerships with law enforcement, community organizations and advocates.
“This will be central to addressing violent crime and building trust across every corner of the Ninth Judicial Circuit,” she said.
