(352) 338-7370
Public Defender
Proudly serving Alachua, Baker, Bradford, Gilchrist, Levy and Union Counties! |
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Stacy A. Scott was appointed as the Public Defender for the Eighth Judicial Circuit by Governor Charlie Crist in 2010. Stacy brings to the office a strong commitment to defending the rights of indigent people accused of crime and has dedicated her entire professional career to ensuring fairness and integrity in our criminal justice system. Stacy has served as an Assistant Public Defender in the Eighth Judicial Circuit for over 10 years. Previously she has served as an Assistant State Attorney, and has worked in the private sector as a criminal defense attorney. For over 14 years, Stacy has litigated criminal cases ranging from misdemeanors to capital cases.
Prior to becoming the Public Defender, Stacy was the County Court Supervisor for the Public Defender Office in the Eighth Judicial Circuit. In her role as County Court Supervisor, Stacy was responsible for training and supervising all Assistant Public Defenders practicing in the misdemeanor division. Stacy has also practiced in the juvenile division of the Public Defender Office, advocating for the rights of children charged with crimes. While in the juvenile division, Stacy worked tirelessly for children participating in the Juvenile Drug Court Program in Alachua County, serving as a mentor both in and outside of the court room. Stacy has worked in felony divisions throughout the Eighth Circuit, and has tried numerous serious felony cases.
Additionally, Stacy has dedicated herself to teaching aspiring lawyers. She is an Adjunct Faculty member at the University Of Florida Levin College Of Law. Prior to becoming the Public Defender for the 8th Circuit, Stacy served as Intern Director for the Levin College of Law’s Public Defender Clinic, which involved the training and supervision of a class of interns each semester. Stacy is an instructor in the Trial Practice program at UF’s law school and at the Gerald T. Bennett Prosecutor and Public Defender Trial Training Program. She also coaches the Trial Team at the law school, leading the team to two national civil rights championships in 2005 and 2007.
Stacy is committed to the highest degree of ethics and professionalism in the practice of law. Stacy participates in regulating lawyer conduct by serving as the current Chair of the Florida Bar Grievance Committee, 8B. She is a longtime member of the James C. Adkins Chapter of the American Inns of Court, as well as the Eighth Judicial Circuit Bar Association. Additionally, Stacy is a past-president of the 8th Circuit chapter of the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys. Stacy also serves the community as a member of the Rotary Club of Gainesville.
Stacy earned her J.D. with Honors from the University Of Florida College Of Law in 1995 and also holds a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Florida.
Mission Statement
The Office of the Public Defender, Eigth Judicial Circuit, provides high-quality legal representation to indigent persons who face a loss of liberty. The Public Defender also protects the constitutional and statutory rights of all citizens through effective legal representation of court appointed clients.