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Wayne M. Durden is the Felony Director for the
Polk County State Attorney’s Office, a position he has held since
1992, and has been a prosecutor for 23 years. As Felony Director he
currently oversees thirty Assistant State Attorneys who prosecute
felony crimes in six felony divisions, including child abuse,
economic crime, drug trafficking, manslaughter and certain murder
cases.
Wayne graduated from Auburndale High School in 1976, and then
graduated from Polk Community College with an A.A. degree in 1977,
after receiving CLEP credit for his freshman year courses. Wayne
went on to earn his bachelor’s degree from the University of Florida
in 1979, and his Juris Doctorate from Stetson University College of
Law in 1982.
Prior to becoming Felony Director in 1992, Wayne was the Chief of
the Child Abuse Division and prosecuted child abuse cases
exclusively for four years. During that time he developed a strong
concern for children’s issues. He was a member of the local advisory
group that started the Children’s Advocacy Center in Bartow, wrote
protocols for the Center, and serves as its chair today. The
Children’s Advocacy Center provides a single location for alleged
victims of child abuse to be interviewed, examined, and receive
psychological assistance. Wayne also serves as a member of the Board
of Directors and is on the Executive Board of the Florida Network of
Children’s Advocacy Centers.
In addition, Wayne was part of a team that won the Davis
Productivity Award from Florida Tax Watch in 2004, for their work in
the creation of the Rape Recovery and Resource Center in Lakeland.
The center provides a compassionate and time sensitive alternative
for adult sexual assault victims to be interviewed and examined, and
to begin psychological treatment. Together, the team created a
better way to help rape victims and reduce the load on local
emergency rooms and law enforcement, while saving time and taxpayer
dollars.
Over the years Wayne has also prosecuted major economic crimes in
Polk County, including multi-million dollar investment scams and
school voucher fraud. Wayne resides in Lakeland with his wife Tammy,
a Registered Nurse, and his three children, Jennifer 22, Courtney
17, and Matthew 12. Wayne has volunteered as a Youth Motivator and
coach for his son’s soccer teams, and is a member of the Lakeland
Rotary Club. He is also a member of the Florida Bar Association,
Lakeland Bar Association, Polk County Trial Lawyers Association, and
is President-Elect of the Willson American Inn of Court. |
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