Diversion Attorney

The State Attorney’s Office for the Ninth Judicial Circuit of Florida seeks to promote public safety by using data-driven methods to hold offenders accountable, provide restorative justice for victims, and redirect children and people in need of services, in an effort to build stronger, safer communities. We aim to achieve the highest standards of ethics and competence in order to promote a fair and equitable legal system.

We are seeking candidates who will be responsible for the prosecution of all crimes committed in Orange and Osceola Counties. These candidates should act with integrity and balanced judgment to increase public safety, be available to assist community efforts addressing problems that lead to, or result from, criminal activity and should act not merely as a case-processor but also a problem-solver, responsible for considering broad goals of the criminal legal system.

Position:
Diversion Attorney

Location:
Position covers both Orange and Osceola Counties. The candidate will be based out of the Orange County main office.

Orange County State Attorney’s Office
415 North Orange Avenue
Orlando, FL 32801

Overview:
This position is ideal for an experienced attorney with an understanding of the value of alternative sentencing and case processing options for vulnerable members of our community.

Key Responsibilities:
Diversion Attorney Tasks:
Review felony and misdemeanor cases for eligibility and approval to diversion programs:
Analyze case facts and charges, review criminal records.
Confirm victim consent where applicable.
Assess restitution owed, establish payment plans if necessary.
Identify any required non-standard conditions.
Document decisions and reasoning clearly in ASA notes with appropriate note codes.
Recheck admissibility on misdemeanor, Osceola, and specialty court approvals initially vetted by division managers.
Draft, review, and manage diversion contracts, ensuring proper signatures and protocol adherence.
Communicate regularly with DOC Probation, County Corrections, and the court to coordinate diversion procedures.
Train Assistant State Attorneys (ASAs) on diversion policies and procedures.
Create informational handouts and update course requirements for all charges entering diversion programs.
Oversee the intake and review of cases submitted via ptieval@sao9.org.
Troubleshoot and respond to questions from attorneys, defendants, and defense counsel regarding diversion matters.
Supervise Diversion Paralegal duties, ensuring timely contract processing, probation coordination, rejections, program assignments, and case closures.
Assist paralegal division with daily workflows and coverage as needed.
Lead staff development and workflow improvements for attorneys and paralegals involved in diversion.
Maintain and update the program’s public-facing webpage to provide accurate information.

Qualifications:
Juris Doctor (JD) and admission to the state bar.
Minimum 3-5 years criminal law experience; background in diversion, or related programs preferred.
Thorough knowledge of mental health, substance use, veterans’ issues, and criminal justice procedures.
Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage complex schedules and large caseloads.
Exceptional legal writing, research, and oral advocacy skills.
Experience in training, supervising, and collaborating with multidisciplinary teams.
Commitment to justice, rehabilitation, and equity principles.

Preferred Qualifications:
Prior prosecutorial or defense experience in specialty or problem-solving courts.
Knowledge of diversion program best practices and court-based treatment approaches.
Experience managing or developing program workflows and staff teams.

How to Apply:
If you are interested in applying for this position, please include your responses to the following questions in your cover letter:

Why are you interested in this position?
When would your starting date with the office be?
Do you have specific experience or expertise in diversion or alternative resolutions? If so, please explain.

Please send a cover letter, resume, and two references via e-mail to ASA-Recruiting@sao9.org

Please note: The form will generate an email with your information and attachments, which will be sent directly to ASA-Recruiting@sao9.org. This website does not store any submitted documents and will not provide updates or feedback regarding your application status.