Florida TaxWatch: Pay New State Attorneys, Public Defenders More to Lower Turnover, Save Taxpayers

Florida TaxWatch released a report on Wednesday which insists that paying assistant state attorneys and assistant public defenders more would actually save taxpayers. The report shows that the current pay leads to high turnover and costs more than $15 million each year. Currently new lawyers starting in those positions make around $41,700, about $20,000 below the national average for states with as much crime as Florida.

"If Florida expects our criminal justice system to deliver timely and effective justice, we must wisely invest in those who are responsible for carrying it out," said Dominic Calabro, the president and CEO of Florida TaxWatch. "Paying our assistant state attorneys and assistant public defenders closer to the rest of the nation will ensure our tax dollars are not wasted on high turnover costs and lower productivity, and that our criminal justice system is in the best hands our state can find."

"Increasing the starting pay for Florida's assistant state attorneys and assistant public defenders is essential if we hope to attract and retain talented lawyers to administer the criminal justice system," said Dan McCarthy, the director of the TaxWatch Center for Smart Justice. "Paying the lowest wages in the nation creates high staff turnover, which in turn delays justice and impacts public safety. Justice delayed is often justice denied."

The report can be read here.