Editor's note: As part of the process of deciding which candidates to endorse for elected office, The Palm Beach Post Editorial Board provided each candidate with a questionnaire to complete. The following answers are from Alexcia Cox, a Democratic candidate for state attorney.
Full name, age and date of birth: Alexcia Cox, 44, Oct. 26, 1979.
Office sought and political affiliation:State Attorney, Palm Beach County, Democrat.
Education, highest degree attained: Juris Doctor, cum laude, Florida State University College of Law, 2005.
Elaborate on the courtroom experience that you feel has prepared you to lead the State Attorney's Office.
For nearly two decades, I have served as a line prosecutor, unit chief, and now deputy chief assistant at the State Attorney’s Office. I have handled cases ranging from misdemeanors, DV felonies, to capital murder — several that have garnered national attention. My courtroom experience was most notably tested and put to work when we successfully tried the Nouman Raja/Corey Jones case.
As a prosecutor on this case, we achieved accountability and justice for the family of Corey Jones with the officer being found guilty, resulting in the first guilty verdict in the state in over 30 years for an on-duty officer shooting.
Why should voters choose you for this position?
Being a state attorney is more than a career; it's a calling that requires deep commitment. The same level of commitment I've given throughout my 18-year career holding criminals accountable. Having served as deputy chief assistant state attorney, I know firsthand that public safety is something we work towards together — with residents, law enforcement, and our justice system working hand in hand, ensuring people from all walks of life feel safe.
Throughout my career, I have remained dedicated to ensuring we keep violent criminals off our streets, protect our seniors and the most vulnerable, advocate for domestic violence victims, keep our schools and children safe, and increase efforts to respond to the alarming rise of hate crimes. In addition to my public service is the important work I proudly do in the community volunteering, mentoring and serving in leadership roles with our local and state Bar associations, nonprofit organizations and community groups.
I am a candidate who has a successful track record as a prosecutor and trial lawyer, coupled with a proven record of leadership both in the State Attorney’s Office and the greater Palm Beach County community.
Briefly highlight your key priorities.
Upon taking office, I will work with our law-enforcement partners to address violent crime and career criminals. I also plan to establish a dedicated hate-crimes unit within the Palm Beach County State Attorney’s Office to combat anti-Semitism, racism, hom*ophobia and all other crimes that infringe upon our residents’ rights to live safely and freely.
In addition to implementing a hate-crimes unit, I plan on creating an elder-crimes unit with dedicated prosecutors who participate in specialized training and expertise to keep prosecutors two steps ahead of cybercriminals as crime evolves. Understanding the high cost of living, I would work with local leaders to provide incentives around housing for our prosecutors, advocate for higher wages from the state, and introduce health and wellness initiatives, all tools to aggressively recruit and retain top talent in our office.
What changes in personnel and policies would you make to the office?
As state attorney, I would complete an initial 90-day review with my leadership team to provide recommendations on policies we should address to strengthen our office. For example, I would review dedicated units that should be created to better structure our team and utilize resources most efficiently to take on serious crimes.
I have been a firm advocate for expanding our career-criminal Unit and returning the robbery unit, and would do so after a thorough review with my leadership team.
What are your views on diversion programs?
As a prosecutor, my first responsibility is to ensure we hold accountable those who harm others. It’s also critical that we address recidivism and ensure the number of repeat offenders is minimized. Diversion programs are another tool we have used to address crime and hold offenders accountable.
For example, our DUI First Time Offender Program, which is one of the only programs endorsed by MADD, has been a very successful tool used to ensure that accountability exists while also working to reduce repeat offenses. Nationally, there has been success in drug-diversion programs for low-level drug crimes as a tool to tackle recidivism while also holding an individual accountable.
Are you satisfied with the office's conviction rate? Why or why not?
Each year, our office handles around 50,000 criminal cases. I supervise the units that receive the bulk of those cases. My domestic-violence unit alone receives about 4,000 cases a year. Our County Court Division received over 33,000 cases last year.
During State Attorney Aronberg’s tenure, our County Court conviction rate, which includes domestic violence cases, rose from last in the State (No. 20) to the No. 5 spot. I’m extremely proud of the important work we do across our units. Domestic violence crimes have reduced in our community in partnership with DV stakeholders across Palm Beach County, and we see a high conviction rate for filed cases.
What opportunities do you see for greater collaboration between the office, the Public Defender's Office and law enforcement?
I am proud to have the support of two law-enforcement unions, including the Fraternal Order of Police. This reaffirms that in their review of all the candidates, they trust that I will foster a productive and collaborative approach with our partners in law enforcement, as that is how we ensure we keep our residents safe.
A united front built on trust is paramount to successful public safety strategies and initiatives. In the past, our office worked with the Public Defender’s Office and other county stakeholders for our sealing and expungement workshops, which will continue under my leadership.
How would you build trust with the public and make the office more transparent?
As state attorney, my priorities will be to uphold the law, seek justice for victims and safeguard the rights of all residents of Palm Beach County. I plan on creating a community engagement officer position to lead a structured community outreach program within the office and regularly engage with residents and our business community ensuring our residents feel heard, respected and that they can trust their State Attorney’s Office.
I do not believe our only interactions with the community should be when police are called because something has happened. I want the community to know about and trust the work we are doing in our office. This will be an important leadership position that will allow me and members of my executive team to keep a thumb on the pulse of the communities we serve and increase public safety for all Palm Beach County residents.
What distinguishes you from your opponents?
First, professionally, is my courtroom experience and prosecution record. I have successfully argued complex motions and obtained favorable verdicts in high-profile homicide and attempted homicide cases. Second, I am an award-winning attorney and community leader , having served in various leadership roles and receiving over a dozen awards for my advocacy, leadership, and community service.
Third, is my ability to collaborate with others to find solutions such as creating our award-winning domestic violence first-time offender program, launching the felony section of our domestic-violence unit, and working with the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office to crack down on domestic abusers who violate no-contact orders through jail calls.
In my campaign, I am the only candidate with over 50 elected endorsem*nts and an overwhelming number of community groups like the West Palm Beach Firefighters, the Fraternal Order of Police, SEIU, Palm Beach AFL-CIO, Palm Beach County Classroom Teachers Association, and a number of local organizations that trust in my ability to lead as our next state attorney.
What experiences from your community, life or workplace activities have best prepared you for this position?
I was born and raised right here in Palm Beach County. Growing up in a family of service, with two proud union member parents, gave me a unique perspective on working to protect and defend others.
My journey wasn't short of challenges. I became a single mother at a young age but was determined to excel. With the support of my family, hard work, and God's grace, I graduated with honors from the University of Central Florida and the Florida State University College of Law.
Within days of taking the Bar exam, I began my legal career as a prosecutor in Palm Beach County, which is the place I have always called home and where I learned to be a fair and impactful leader. I have risen through the ranks and currently supervise attorneys assigned to our domestic-violence unit, County Court Division, north and south county satellite offices, and conviction-review unit.
When given the high honor to serve on State Attorney Dave Aronberg’s executive leadership team, it was a humbling moment to do more work for our community. I am running for state attorney because my many years of experience as a prosecutor and leader in the State Attorney’s Office, coupled with the countless hours I have spent volunteering and serving in various leadership roles around our community, have collectively prepared me to serve as our next state attorney.
I came home to serve our community within the State Attorney’s Office instead of taking on a private practice because I live and breathe servant leadership — and I want to give back to the community that gave me everything.
