Below you'll find recent news releases issued by this office.

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Contact: Chavez 305-547-08852/6/2012
Katherine Fernandez Rundle Named Lawyer of the Year

Miami (February 6, 2012) - Miami-Dade State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle has been selected to receive the Lawyer of the Year Award by the benevolent organization Lawyers to the Rescue in recognition of excellence, achievement, dedication and her contributions to public service. 

Lawyers to the Rescue is a nonprofit organization founded by attorney Spencer Aronfeld and Dina Aronfeld in response to the worst natural disaster in the Western Hemisphere: the eaeds of thousands more were injured. The group is dedicated to providing humanitarian and financial assistance to individuals and communities in times of crisis.

While the organization is made up mainly of lawyers and individual workers in the legal sector, it is also open to other professionals who are committed to working purely for humanitarian principles. 

The group recognizes attorneys who make significant contributions in the area of public service.  State Attorney Fernandez Rundle has been very influential in effecting major reforms in juvenile justice, is a pioneer in creating the state's first Domestic Crimes Unit, helped form the Dade Partners for Safe Neighborhoods, helped write and pass the Florida Punishment Code, and was instrumental in ensuring that Dade's celebrated Drug Court became a reality.

"My desire to help make this community better is my motivator to serve as Dade's State Attorney", commented State Attorney Fernandez Rundle. "Finding ways to improve our community and make it a safer place to live and raise our families has been one of the challenges I have readily accepted. I am truly honored to have been chosen by such a group of true humanitarians to receive this recognition."

Lawyers to the Rescue will present the Lawyer of the Year Award during its Public Service Award Ceremony which will be held on Tuesday, February 28, 2012 at 6:30 PM, at the University Of Miami School Of Law, 1311 Miller Road, Room 395A, in Coral Gables. 

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Miami (January 20 2012) - State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle announces the activation of the Voter Protection Task Force and Hotline effective Saturday morning, January 21, 2012, through Election Day on Tuesday, January 31, 2012, in order to ensure that voting sites for the Republican Primary Election and the two charter amendments on the ballot remain free of any impropriety or illegal activity.

"Law enforcement personnel will be available as needed to make sure that voting in our county is fair and that everyone's voice is heard. My election response team will respond to any complaints made regarding possible voting irregularities", commented State Attorney Fernandez Rundle.

The election response team composed of investigators and civilian employees from the State Attorney's Office will respond as needed to the various voting locations during scheduled voting hours to assist in this effort.

The Voter Protection Hotline office will be activated this Saturday morning as well in order to field calls. Anyone who suspects improper or irregular activities at early voting sites or on Election Day is urged to call the Hotline at 305-547-3300.

The State Attorney's Office stands ready to act on every citizen's behalf to preserve the integrity of our elections and every vote.

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Miami (January 5, 2012) - In observance of International Human Trafficking Awareness Day, Miami-Dade State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle will host a community forum on January 9, 2012, entitled "The Faces of Human Trafficking: Myths and Realities".

At any given time, there may be as many as 2.5 million people worldwide unwillingly involved in forced labor and the illicit sex trade. Although Human Trafficking is often portrayed as a broad national or international problem, the reality is that many of the victims of Human Trafficking reside within our communities. It is a little known fact that Florida is often ranked third in the nation in the number of victims of human trafficking.

"Knowledge and understanding are the sharpest, most dependable tools in the fight against human trafficking," commented Miami-Dade-State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle. "The more we know and understand, the better we can effectively combat these crimes. This forum will allow us to tackle misconceptions and propose solutions to prosecute and deter a crime that affects so many young and promising lives."

The forum is aimed at bringing community leaders, service providers and local, state and national law enforcement agencies together to better tackle instances of Human Trafficking in Miami-Dade County and South Florida. Through better awareness, training and legislation, it is State Attorney Fernandez Rundle's hope that the victims of Human Trafficking can be identified and the perpetrators prosecuted.

The forum will be held at the Office of the State Attorney located at 1350 NW 12th Avenue, Miami, FL 33136, in Conference Rooms S418 –S419 commencing at 1:00 PM.

Media is encouraged to arrive early enough to obtain the required clearance through the building's security review process.

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