Ron DeSantis Gets Good News in Battle With Ousted State Attorney

The Florida Sheriffs Association (FSA) had good news for Governor Ron DeSantis on Monday when the association came out in support of his decision to suspend a state attorney.

The FSA sought permission from the Florida Supreme Court to file a brief in support of DeSantis' position as part of a lawsuit brought by Orlando-area State Attorney Monique Worrell.

DeSantis, a Republican, is seeking the 2024 GOP presidential nomination but his campaign has struggled, while former President Donald Trump continues to enjoy a major lead in a recent poll.

The governor suspended Worrell, a Democrat elected to the role in 2020, in August following months of disputes with state Republicans, including the governor, over a series of shootings in the Orlando area.

Worrell filed suit with the state Supreme Court in September following DeSantis' executive order in August that suspended her and accused her of "neglecting her duty to faithfully prosecute crime in her jurisdiction."

In their motion to the court on Monday, attorneys for the Florida Sheriffs Association said their amicus brief—also known as a friend-of-the-court brief—would "highlight the legal sufficiency" of DeSantis' order suspending Worrell.

The filing said they were "supportive of the suspension of the state attorney for abuse of her office."

"The state attorney has authorized and implemented practices and policies which systematically permit violent offenders, drug traffickers, serious-juvenile offenders, and pedophiles to evade incarceration when otherwise warranted under Florida law," the brief said.

Newsweek has reached out to DeSantis' office via email for comment.

Worrell came under particular criticism following a shooting spree in March that left three people dead, including a 9-year-old and a local TV journalist. The alleged perpetrator had eight felonies and 11 misdemeanors when he was a juvenile but had committed only one previous crime as an adult—possession of cannabis and drug paraphernalia.

Her office is seeking the death penalty in that case but some Republicans criticized the fact that the alleged gunman was allowed to remain on the streets given his multiple convictions, though most were committed as a juvenile.

"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," DeSantis' executive order said.

Under Florida's state constitution, the governor has the power to suspend elected officials but they can only be removed by the state Senate, which has not moved to remove Worrell as the court case progresses.

Writing on X, formerly Twitter, on October 20, Worrell said: "I'm ready to come before the Florida Supreme Court with unwavering determination! This hearing will mark a pivotal moment in our pursuit of justice, and I'm honored to be at the forefront."

"The journey hasn't been easy, but I remain steadfast in my commitment to serving the people of Orange & Osceola Counties," she added.

The Florida Supreme Court is due to hear oral arguments on December 6. The court has previously sided with DeSantis in the suspension of another elected state attorney, Democrat Andrew Warren, who was suspended after he indicated he would not bring charges under the state's 15-week abortion ban or prosecute those who provide gender-affirming treatment to transgender people in violation of Florida law.

The court cited an "unreasonable delay" in Warren bringing a challenge to DeSantis' decision when it handed down its ruling in June.