Hillsborough: Fired prosecutor gets lawyer of her own

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Fired prosecutor gets lawyer of her own

By COLLEEN JENKINS
Published February 2, 2007

TAMPA - Hillsborough State Attorney Mark Ober is used to defense attorneys lobbying on behalf of their clients.

But a letter from a Largo lawyer this week wasn't typical fare. "My client has suffered severe embarrassment and emotional trauma due to your draconian actions," the letter read.

The client: Bethany L. Jackson, an assistant state attorney fired because she didn't report a colleague who smoked pot in her apartment.

Jackson's attorney, John Trevena, not only is helping fight her dismissal but also hired her as an attorney for his firm.

Trevena wants Jackson's former boss to allow her to voluntarily resign so her record isn't permanently marred. He said she was treated differently than other prosecutors around Florida, such as those in Pinellas County who kept their jobs after arrests for drunken driving.

Jackson, 27, said this week that she didn't witness any illegal behavior.

Jackson said she worked as a secretary at the state attorney's office, then went to law school so she could be a lawyer there. Her dismissal, she said, has been "devastating."

Trevena said requiring a prosecutor to report any violation of law that she comes across is an impossible responsibility.

"Basically, you have to be the ultimate rat of rats," said Trevena, who hired Jackson in December.

Under Florida law, Ober's office has six months to investigate the claim.

[Last modified February 2, 2007, 00:30:23]

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by Chris	02/06/07 11:16 AM
An excellent reason to de-criminalize a victimless act.

by paul	02/03/07 09:49 AM
this wasn't a drive by spur of the moment observance of a "violation of law." jackson ALLOWED this illegal activity to occur in her home. thats what she got fired for.

by Jason	02/02/07 04:32 PM
Pot, in reality, is no different than alcohol except that it's illegal. As long as a person doesn't go to work or drive on the road high or drunk, what does it really matter? What's sad is this person got fired for someone else's habit.

by jessica	02/02/07 09:26 AM
BNB--when you need a great attorney I guarantee you will not hesitate to call Mr. Trevena. And if someone commits a crime against your family you will need a GOOD defense attorney.Check your facts!!!!!!

by jessica	02/02/07 09:22 AM
if you go back and read the first story, she requested to take a drug test and they did not let her. Also she left her OWN apartment. And what about the prosecutor that brought the pot-smokers there is that person still have a job?? Privacy in home!

by BNB	02/02/07 06:15 AM
"Rat of rats". Drugs and alcohol are destroying this society and I am not sure that I want a "drug" user prosecuting someone who has committed a crime against my family or me but I guess in the office of Trevena, anything goes.