I am Teresa Williams, I started my 25 year career as a criminal lawyer working at the Miami Dade State Attorneys Office. I was raised to treat everyone that I encounter with respect and dignity, whether the person is homeless or a CEO. As a prosecutor, trained in the philosophies of Janet Reno, I was taught not to focus on creating convictions, but to focus on doing justice. Above all, we were taught to do the right thing, and never to convict the innocent.

 

After 10 years of practicing in the criminal justice system in this county, I strongly believe that our system is corrupted by politics and money.  Justice does not seem to be the goal, only the creation of tough on crime statistics by throwing people in state prison. I think this is wrong and have tried to change this environment for a decade. I've been told to sit down and shut up, because this system makes people money. I will not stand for that any longer.  I believe that I must run and be the State Attorney in order to bring justice, the concept of human dignity, and a proficient representation of the public to Broward County. 

 

 

I believe that public safety is compromised by stretching our limited resources to the extreme. I think that prosecutors are overworked, under appreciated, and forced to ignore principles of justice for the sake of minimizing political risk, to keep elected officials in office for decades. Politics and money do not belong in our criminal justice system. I believe that innocent victims of crime deserve better. Our entire community deserves better..

 

My goal is to prevent the commission of crime by working hand and hand with local organizations to achieve the goal of deterrence and assistance to vulnerable victims. I will physically put prosecutors in the heart of our community, by creating satellite offices to build relationships and trust, My lawyers will go into our schools and local civic organizations to educate the public and assist victims and witnesses closer to home. I will implement a comprehensive training program, obtain resources for the use of trial exhibits, and change the environment of the State Attorney's office to one that is supportive and uplifting for young lawyers who work very hard, for very little money.

 

I hope you will help me bring much needed change and reform to make a better Broward County,  Vote for me, Teresa Williams, to be your Broward County State Attorney.

 

I hope to bring you the change that we need, by being the voice you deserve.