On November 30, 2009, Governor Charlie Crist filed a petition requesting that a Statewide Grand Jury be convened in order to “examine and evaluate public policy issues regarding public corruption and develop specific recommendations regarding improving current laws.” On December 2, 2009, the Florida Supreme Court issued an Order to convene the Nineteenth Statewide Grand Jury for the purpose of investigating crimes, returning indictments, and making presentments.

In Florida, the responsibility to conduct statewide grand juries is given to the Statewide Prosecutor. The Statewide Prosecutor designates Assistant Statewide Prosecutors to ensure a statewide grand jury is selected and that a grand jury is presented with testimony and evidence. Starting in February of 2010, the Nineteenth Grand Jury will be convened in Ft. Lauderdale and shall initially run for twelve months. The Grand Jury’s investigation of public corruption is not limited to any particular region of the State, however, any criminal offenses investigated shall be multi-circuit in nature.

The Office of Statewide Prosecution has established a public corruption hotline for anyone who believes they have information concerning a criminal offense involving public corruption or wishes to suggest issues the Statewide Grand Jury should investigate regarding public corruption. A link to the Petition for a Statewide Grand Jury and the Florida Supreme Court Order Directing Impanelment of a Statewide Grand Jury has also been provided under the section titled The Grand Jury.