TAMPA -- Andrew Warren was suspended as Hillsborough State Attorney one year ago Friday.
Ironically, he's going to Denver on that same day to receive an award from the American Bar Association for what one of his nominators calls an "extraordinary" performance in his six years as the circuit's top prosecutor.
Warren says he was surprised when he heard several months ago that he had been nominated for the Curtin-Maleng Minister of Justice Award, and even more surprised when he was told that he was one of the two recipients named this year The ABA says the award recognizes prosecutors who protect the innocent as well as convict the guilty, guard the rights of the accused as well as enforcing the rights of the public, and show unwavering commitment to legal and ethical standards. Warren calls it a "tremendous honor" to be recognized for "embodying what it means to be a prosecutor."
Warren was nominated for the award by attorneys Morris "Sandy" Weinberg Jr., Kevin Napper and James Felman. Weinberg, a prominent Tampa attorney who has served as chair of the ABA's Criminal Justice Section, isays a review of Warren's record found it to be "extraordinary." The nomination letter praised Warren for creating diversion programs, using civil citations to avoid jail time for adults and juveniles, and creating a conviction review unit to address wrongful convictions.
DeSantis no doubt would disagree with the ABA's recognition. Last year he said Warren had refused to enforce abortion and transgender laws, and had a pattern of "presumptive non-enforcement" of minor offenses. He continues to reference the suspension as he campaigns for the presidency. Current Hillsborough County state attorney Susan Lopez says she's restored the agency's relationship with law enforcement. She says she was installed to bring the state attorney's office "back to basics" and "restore the rule of law." Lopez, who's running for the job next year, also says she's restored relationships with law enforcement. Hillsborough Sheriff Chad Chronister joined Lopez for a news conference this week and told reporters he has about 500 more inmates in the county jails since Lopez took over.
Warren remains out of office and both a federal district judge and the state Supreme Court have refused to reinstate him. He says he hasn't set a timetable to end the legal battle."This is too important a fight to have some arbitrary deadline... this is a fight to protect constitutional rights of all Floridians... (and to) defend democracy...and uphold the rule of law even though Ron DeSantis is the governor.
Warren says "it's taken a toll on his family" including death threats." Warren says that in addition to time spent on the lawsuits over his suspension, he's been working with groups that are "fighting this fight" in other places. "Florida is the canary in the coal mine of democracy," Warren says.
Warren says he hasn't decided whether he would attempt a third run for the state attorney's office, because the court fight is still ongoing. "We're still fighting to finish serving the term that I was elected to serve in 2020."
Listen to an interview with Andrew Warren below:
Photo: American Bar Association