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Re - elect Katherine Fernandez Rundle Miami - Dade State Attorney

Smart Justice Initiatives

Miami-Style Smart Justice Initiatives

I am proud to say that the latest data from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) shows that the property and violent crime rates have dropped more than 75% during my tenure.  Our approach, whe we call Miami-Style Smart Justice recognizes that each offender, each crime, and each victim is unique and must be addressed on a strategic case-by-case basis.  Our programs have been so successful that they have been identified as state and national models.  They are so well-known, that other prosecutor offices around the country base many of their efforts on our strategies and initiatives.  During the last two years, the Association of Prosecuting Attorneys (APA) has recognized us a “model office” and partnered with us to host national conferences on human trafficking and data transparency, as well as an international prosecutor exchange with the State of Minas Gerais, Brazil. Below, you can read about some of my efforts.  For more information, you can read an article I co-authored highlighting our programs at https://miamisao.com/ndaa-highlights-miami-style-smart-justice-in-the-prosecutor-magazine/.

Diversion and Rehabilitation

Based on my life experiences and review of the research, I appreciate the need to treat people as individuals, particularly those who are children.  I also am sensitive to the fact that many individuals make one time mistakes that have little impact on public safety while others suffer from mental health, substance misuse, and/or other issues that contribute to their criminal behavior.  I have conceived of, designed, created, and helped implement a number of programs designed to address their needs and help them become more productive members of our community.  Examples include:

  • Civil Citations for adults and juveniles:  I introduced these programs to Florida.  These programs give officers the discretion, but do not require them, to issue the equivalent of a simple traffic ticket to low-level offenders
    instead of arresting them.
  • Child Support Program (CSP):  I am the only State Attorney in Florida who administers a CSP and am proud to report that our program leads the state in the highest percentage of cases where child support is obtained and arrears collected.
  • Back on Track (BOT):  I created BOT, a diversion program designed to address the needs of first-time DUI offenders.
  • Drug Court:  I conceived of and helped implement the nation’s first Drug Court under then State Attorney Janet Reno, leading to a national movement.  Today, there are over 4,000 drug treatment programs around the world.
  • “Second Chance” Program:  I developed the Second Chance Program, a one-stop shop, to help eligible individuals apply to seal and expunge their record.  This program helps them avoid the unnecessary and damaging collateral consequences of arrests for cases that are dropped or dismissed.
  • Voting Rights:  I supported the passage of Amendment 4, which restored the right to vote for eligible returning citizens who completed their sentences, and created a model program to assist them.

Enforcement

  • Human Trafficking (HT):  I created the HT Task Force, a cooperative multi-agency law enforcement effort aimed at arresting and prosecuting those who prey on our children and others and finding ways to rescue and build a safety net of services for these seriously traumatized victims.  I established a standalone HT center, perhaps the only one of its kind, to serve as a hub for our efforts.
  • Sexual Assault and Child Abuse – Partnership with Kristi House:  I partnered with Kristi House and others to create a one-stop shop for sexual assault and child abuse victims that ensures they receive the attention they deserve.
  • Gang Strike Force (GSF):  I created the GSF, a multi-agency task force, to address rising gang violence in the 1990’s.  With the support of other local, state, and Federal law enforcement agencies, we have successfully controlled the gang population.
  • Gun Violence Initiative (GVI):  I implemented our GVI unit, in cooperation with the Miami-Dade, Miami Gardens, and City of Miami’s Police Departments to protect some of our most vulnerable neighborhoods from gun violence.  I embedded prosecutors and homicide investigators in these areas to facilitate investigations and prosecutions by building relationships with residents, gathering intelligence, responding to the scenes of all contact shootings, helping to locate and secure the attendance of victims and other essential witnesses, and assisting the line prosecutors in court.
  • Repeat Offender Court (ROC):  I supported the development of the ROC, which allows us to more efficiently address the most recalcitrant offenders.
  • Hate Crimes:  I established a Hate Crimes unit to address crimes committed against individuals that are motivated by hatred for a person’s race, religion, national origin, ethnicity, sexual orientation, homeless status or age.
    Conclusion

Despite our successes, I will never claim victory so long as anyone is victimized.  I recognize that no system is perfect and there is always room for improvement.  I keep up with the research and never stop looking to make positive change. 

Social Media

Kathy has earned and enjoys widespread support and the trust of our community.