PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

Juan Carlos Arias President & Founder FFASA

Being a prosecutor is one of the most honorable jobs in a democracy—second only to serving in the armed forces.  While our troops defend our way of life abroad, prosecutors protect our way of life at home.  A democracy’s foundation on liberty and justice would be shaken without the enforcement of its laws.  If citizens and their possessions cannot be protected from the indiscriminating criminal elements, our way of life would deteriorate.

As a former prosecutor, I witnessed first-hand why so many state prosecutors leave their jobs and, to this day, continue to wonder why prosecutor turnover is not a "hot" public issue.  High prosecutor turnover creates an imbalance in our system of justice and ultimately compromises the safety of our communities.

The general public should be outraged by the fact that, between the years 2000 and 2004, an average of 81% of Florida prosecutors left State Attorney offices before five years of service.  Florida loses more than half of its experienced prosecutors within their first 5 years of public service and more than half of current state prosecutors have less than 3 years of experience.  Sadly, Florida citizens remain unaware of the state's inability to retain adequate numbers of competent and experienced prosecutors in public service. 

FFASA understands the detrimental effect prosecutor turnover has on public safety and is committed to educating the general public to gain their support for effective legislation that encourages career prosecutors.

It is time to stand up against high prosecutor turnover because it diminishes public safety and our quality of life.  In order to persuade legislators in Tallahassee to address the issue of high prosecutor turnover, we must send a strong and unified message that would shape public opinion at both local and state levels.  FFASA pledges to reach the press, businesses, and community organizations to explain the need to retain experienced prosecutors to effectively protect our communities.  When the Florida Legislature convenes in March 6, 2008, FFASA's strong message will reach every legislator in Tallahassee. 

With your support, our grassroots organization will move the issue of prosecutor turnover to the front burner.  FFASA's message is simple—We call upon legislators in Tallahassee to stop ignoring the desperate call for help from state prosecutors across the state.  Protect our communities—encourage career prosecutors!

Juan Carlos Arias
FFASA President & Founder

ABOUT FFASA

Friends of Florida’s Assistant State Attorneys, Inc. (FFASA) is a non-partisan, not-for-profit, grassroots organization committed to educating the public regarding the need to retain experienced prosecutors in public service.  FFASA is incorporated in the State of Florida under Section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code as an organization for the public welfare and is registered to solicit contributions under Section 496 of the Florida Statutes.

FFASA’s officers and directors are non-salaried volunteers who donate their time and talents to creating awareness of the negative effects prosecutor turnover has on public safety.  Click here to learn more about the members of the Board of Directors FFASA’s only agenda is to support legislation that encourages prosecutors to make their job a career. 

FFASA is committed to educating the general public by conducting an educational campaign in the printed media and by making compelling presentations to community organizations.  Through its e-newsletter, FFASA seeks to keep its members informed of legislative efforts, newspaper articles, studies and reports relating to prosecutor turnover. 

FFASA IN ACTION

Television interview by Deborah Ali, host of South Florida Voices.  The interview aired Sunday, December 30, 2007.

On December 12, 2007, Mr. Arias was invited to discuss the issue of prosecutor turnover with the Delray Beach Kwanis Club.  Photographed: Mr. Arias with club president.

On September 10, 2007, FFASA's delegation met with Speaker Marco Rubio.  Besides discussing high prosecutor turnover, the delegation urged Speaker Rubio to spare State Attorney Offices from budget cuts.  (Photographed from left to right:  Juan Carlos Arias, Professor Mark Dobson, Alan Pascal, Speaker Rubio, Raag Singhal, and Gregg Rossman)

Mr. Arias was the guest speaker at the June 2007 meeting of the Dania Beach Chamber of Commerce.  (Photographed:  Mr. Arias and Mr. Ron Dooley, President of the Dania Beach Chamber of Commerce)

Mr. Arias discussed prosecutor turnover in an interview with Spero Canton, host of Comcast Newsmakers.  The interview will air September 2007 on CNN Headline News.

FFASA Delegation to Tallahassee, March 2007.

On January 4, 2007, FFASA Chairman Juan Carlos Arias and Vice-Chairman Gregg Rossman met with the Honorable Ellyn Setnor Bogdanoff, Florida House of Representatives Majority Whip, to discuss legislative initiatives to reduce prosecutor

turnover.

Mr. Arias and John Stewart, President of The Florida Bar Young Lawyer's Division.  On December 2006, the Young Lawyer's Division was successful in obtaining The Florida Bar's support for loan repayment legislation for attorneys in public service.  This is the first time The Florida Bar officially supports the loan repayment legislation.  The Florida Bar Board of Governors also voted to lobby on behalf of the legislation.

Mr. Arias and Florida House Speaker Marco Rubio discussed their ideas for a safer Florida in the program 4 Sunday Morning, with host Eliott Rodriguez.  The interview aired November 19, 2006 on CBS.

Mr. Arias discussed prosecutor turnover in an interview with Spero Canton, host of Comcast Newsmakers.  The interview aired September 2006 on CNN Headlines News.