Candidate: John Burns

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE: Ø Entire legal career dedicated to serving the people of Charlotte County. Ø 1995- Present: Assistant State Attorney, Office of the State Attorney of the 20th Judicial Circuit, Charlotte County Office Ø For the past 7 years has specialized in the prosecution of Crimes Against Children, including sexual molestation, physical abuse, neglect and homicides. Ø February 2006 named the first Chairman of the Crimes Against Children/Special Victims Unit for the entire 20th Judicial Circuit, which includes Charlotte, Lee, Collier, Hendry and Glades counties. Ø In charge of reviewing previously convicted sex offenders to determine if they met the criteria to be labeled as Sexual Predators. Ø Participated in instituting S.H.O.C.A.P. (Serious Habitual Offender Comprehensive Action Program) in Charlotte County. Ø Has acted as Misdemeanor Division Supervisor, Juvenile Division Supervisor, and Felony Track Leader. Ø Directly responsible for training and supervising almost 30 attorneys. Ø Set procedures and policies for the various divisions in the Charlotte County State Attorney’s Office. Ø Aided Law Enforcement Agencies in reviewing sexual abuse investigations to determine what areas of investigation were needed. Ø Regularly met with law enforcement to review sexual abuse investigations and provided legal advise to the agencies investigating these cases. Ø Has prosecuted and convicted hundreds of the county’s most serious criminal cases. Ø Thousands of hours of courtroom experience. AWARDS: Ø Recipient of the State Attorney’s Office “Trial Team Award” for his prosecution of cases involving crimes against children, including sexual molestation, physical abuse, and neglect. Ø Recipient of the Center for Abuse and Rape Emergencies (C.A.R.E.) “Step Forward Award” for his “outstanding service on behalf of victims of crime in Charlotte County.” PUBLISHED ARTICLES: Ø “State Court Tackles Release From Rugby Injury” Sports Law Monthly, April 1995. Ø “Injured High School Gymnast May Continue Suit” Sports Law Monthly, May 1995. Ø “The Arizona Diamondbacks Win Trademark Dispute” The Sports Lawyer, September/October 1995. LECTURES AND TEACHING EXPERIENCE: Ø John has lectured on a variety of legal topics including Child abuse investigation, trial tactics, Domestic Violence Issues, Search and seizure issues, Sexual molestation prosecution and investigation, DUI prosecution. Ø Acted as Adjunct Faculty member at Florida Gulf Coast University’s Charlotte County Campus teaching paralegal studies. Ø Has participated in the Charlotte County Guardian Ad Litem training. Ø Has instructed at the Florida Prosecuting Attorney’s Associations continuing legal education Basic DUI course. ADVANCED TRAINING: Ø John has received advanced legal training in the following areas: Prosecution of Domestic violence cases, DUI Prosecution, Vehicular homicide prosecution and investigation, Juvenile crimes, Career Criminal prosecution, Extradition issues, Civil Commitment of Sexually violent predators, use of DNA at trial, prosecution of sexually motivated crimes, Death penalty cases, Forensic Evidence, Basic Family law. EDUCATION: Ø Bachelor of Science in Political Science, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Fl, 1989. Ø J.D. (law degree) University of Puget Sound, Tacoma Washington, 1994. PERSONAL: Ø John is married, and he and his wife have a four-year-old daughter. Ø John trains for and participates in triathlons. Ø He and his family are actively involved in their local church.