Florida Attorney General-elect Ashley Moody on Monday named Nicholas B. Cox as Florida’s statewide prosecutor. Moody picked Cox after reviewing applications forwarded by the Florida Supreme Court Judicial Nominating Commission and interviewing finalists. Cox is Florida’s current statewide prosecutor and with his appointment will continue his role overseeing the Office of Statewide Prosecution.
Moody said, “As Florida’s attorney general, it is my job to protect Floridians and I am committed to ensuring our office is led by experienced and passionate individuals to accomplish this mission. Statewide Prosecutor Nick Cox has a proven track record of coordinating prosecutions and tackling crime. Together we will continue to work with law enforcement and prosecutors across the state to ensure Florida remains a safe place to live, work and raise a family.”
Cox replied, “Attorney General-elect Moody is dedicated to fighting crime and continuing to make Florida a safer place for families, visitors and businesses. Her extensive knowledge within the courtroom will greatly benefit the Office of Statewide Prosecution. I am honored to continue serving as Florida’s statewide prosecutor and look forward to working with Attorney General-elect Moody to shut down drug rings, prosecute human traffickers and fight organized crime threatening Florida’s citizens.”
Nick Cox has an extensive legal career. Cox has been an attorney for the Attorney General’s Office since 2005 and has served as the statewide prosecutor since January 2011. Previously, he served as the Department of Children and Families’ regional director for the SunCoast Region. Cox also served as an assistant state attorney in Hillsborough County for the State Attorney’s Office 13th Judicial Circuit.
The Office of Statewide Prosecution prosecutes multi-circuit organized crime while working regularly with federal and state counterparts to coordinate efforts against criminal activity. Under Cox’s leadership, the Office of Statewide Prosecution has maintained a conviction rate well over 90 percent, with 2017 attaining a conviction of rate of 95%. Financially, OSP convictions in 2017 amounted to nearly $16 million of court ordered restitution to victims, a nearly 50 percent increase from the previous year. The OSP continues to proactively prosecute human trafficking cases and the number of persons charged with such crimes increases yearly. In 2017, the OSP had 156 active defendants in human trafficking cases.
