ORLANDO Fla. —  State Attorney Andrew Bain announced Tuesday the creation of a Violent Crimes Unit at the Ninth Judicial Circuit State Attorney’s Office. He said the unit was formed to combat violent crime and gun crime in Orange and Osceola counties.

“Our office is determined to meet the most violent criminals with our most aggressive prosecutors,” Bain said.

He said the Violet Crimes Unit is made up of five experienced prosecutors who have strong track records of prosecuting violent felony offenders.

According to the State Attorney’s office, each prosecutor has decades of trial experience and will each focus on different felony cases that they have expertise. Bain shared he believes that by creating this unit, it will allow the state attorney’s office to work more closely with law enforcement and help make the people of Central Florida safer.

“I think we are addressing the issues that the people are having in the community, addressing the violent crimes, addressing the shootings, addressing the gang violence and doing that you have to have a relationship with law enforcement, we have to build good investigations to have great prosecutions,” said Bain.

The unit will work to disrupt violent activity in the community and protect public safety by moving serious cases through the criminal justice system, in an effort to get violent offenders off the streets, Bain said.

Defense Attorney Jacob Stuart, who has represented hundreds of people in court, is concerned about this announcement. He explained that while going up against seasoned attorneys representing the government would likely lead to better case outcomes; the policies coming out of the state attorney’s office and associated with this new unit could do more harm than good and really only make people feel safer, instead of actually creating a safer community.  

“My great concern is one it is reactionary, if you are really trying to make change about high crimes or serious crimes they should be done at the lower grassroot level with Orlando Police Department, Osceola county sheriff, Orange county sheriff and those agencies this is more reactionary and again I think these kinds of programs can disproportionally affect the working poor and minorities and that is something we all should be very cognisant of,” said Stewart. 

The unit began work on Feb. 12 and will be responsible for handling cases in the Felony Bureau, with the exception of homicides. Bain said the types of cases the unit will handle include attempted murders, kidnappings, carjackings, home invasions and armed robberies.

He said the unit allows prosecutors to work more closely with law enforcement to build solid cases, and serves as a crucial crime prevention measure by mitigating the risk of serious offender’s potentially escalating to more severe and capital felony offenses.