Bay County’s Josh James receives FWC ‘Prosecutor of the Year’ award
14th Circuit Assistant State Attorney Josh James, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission’s “Prosecutor of the Year,” with his wife and daughter, along with FWC board members at the presentation ceremony. “I really didn’t think I would win because I looked at past winners and they were from larger offices with large operations whereas I’m just prosecuting individual cases,” James said. “It’s reflective of the relationship between our two offices.”
Two years out of law school, 14th Circuit Assistant State Attorney Josh James is already making a name for himself.
At the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission’s meeting in St. Petersburg last month, the state agency recognized James as its FWC Division of Law Enforcement Prosecutor of the Year award.
“I was very honored,” James said in a press release. “I’ve only been a prosecutor for two years, so it was pretty nice to be recognized by the FWC.”
The selection of the “Prosecutor of the Year” is made by officers and investigators who work in the field directly with prosecutors on case preparation, determining appropriate charges, issuing subpoenas, reviewing arrest and search warrants, and obtaining justice for wildlife crimes.
James joined the Bay County office of the 14th Circuit State Attorney in 2021 after graduating with his J.D. from Belmont University in Nashville. While he prosecutes felony cases, James has a passion for conservation.
James attended FWC events to learn about derelict vessel enforcement, boating under the influence, and hunting regulations changes. He also learned how cases are made by taking part in ride-alongs with the FWC’s law enforcement officers.
“Prosecutors like Josh James who establish relationships and share a passion for conservation are critical to our success,” said Col. Brian Smith, director of the FWC Division of Law Enforcement. “We are fortunate to have such an involved prosecutor working alongside our officers helping to protect the people and natural resources of Florida.”
The experience James received during his short time as assistant state attorney gave him the perspective to help prosecute boating and resource cases. Additionally, James has worked with FWC officers on many other cases including migratory bird violations, failure to comply with harvest reporting requirements, and BUI.
James never expected that he would take home such a prestigious honor, and says it was a complete surprise.
“I really didn’t think I would win because I looked at past winners and they were from larger offices with large operations whereas I’m just prosecuting individual cases,” James said. “It’s reflective of the relationship between our two offices.”
James said a lot of what FWC officers do is important and often overlooked.
“Outside of enforcement, a lot of what they do is to educate the public,” James said. “I enjoy working with them.”
