The Office of the State Attorney is committed to transparency and responds to all records requests in a timely manner. If you wish to make a request, you can do so by contacting Paul Sessions, custodian of Public Records, at (863) 534-4844 or by clicking the button to submit a request.
Recent Press Releases
Please be advised that Florida has a broad Public Records law and all e-mail correspondence to this office or anyone employed here may be subject to disclosure. Under Florida law, e-mail addresses are public records. If you do not want your e-mail address released in response to a public-records request, do not send electronic mail to this agency. Instead, contact this office by phone or in writing.
State Attorney’s Office Youth Mock Trial Program
/in SAO10 Blog /by Jamie OwensThe State Attorney’s Office is now accepting applications for their Annual Youth Mock Trial. The four-day program will take place June 23rd through June 26th from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Polk County Courthouse in Bartow. This program gives students going in to the 11th and 12th grade an opportunity to work with prosecutors from […]
State Attorney Brian Haas Announces Jury’s Death Recommendation of Joseph Ables
/in SAO10 Blog /by Jamie OwensJustice Served – Second Defendant, Jevon Berrien Convicted of First-Degree Murder
/in SAO10 Blog /by Jamie OwensJevon Berrien, 19, was convicted by a Polk County Jury of First-Degree Murder, Attempted Armed Robbery with a Firearm and Attempted Murder in the First Degree. On June 7th, 2021, at Gordon Heights Park in Bartow, Berrien and his co-defendant Margus Johnson, 17, set up a drug deal with the victim and had no intention […]
Congratulations to our newly sworn Assistant State Attorneys. We are thrilled to have them be a part of the #SAO10 team. We would like to welcome Nathan Lehman and Kayla Valle who were recently sworn in by State Attorney Brian Haas.
State Attorney’s Office Accepting Applications for 2024 Citizens Academy
/in SAO10 Blog /by Jamie OwensState Attorney Brian Haas The State Attorney’s Office is accepting applications for the 2024 Citizens Academy. The six-week program will run from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. each Tuesday starting September 10th in the Bartow courthouse. The Academy gives residents in the 10th Circuit an opportunity to learn more about the criminal justice system. […]
Polk County Man Who Fled to Atlanta after Crime Spree Convicted of First Degree Murder
/in SAO10 Blog /by Jamie OwensOn June 19, 2024, Taiwan Blandin was convicted of First Degree Murder, Attempted Sexual Battery, Robbery, Arson, Animal Cruelty and other charges for his October 1, 2019 crime rampage that left an 80 year old Frostproof woman dead in her home. Following the crime spree, a nationwide man hunt ensued, with Blandin finally being apprehended […]