General Counsel Julie Herd, Senior Assistant General Counsel Allie Fugate, and Sheriff Kurt A. Hoffman.
Sarasota County Sheriff Kurt A. Hoffman is pleased to promote two sheriff’s office members to new positions.
Assistant General Counsel Allie Fugate is promoted to Senior Assistant General Counsel. In 2013, Fugate started her career as an Assistant State Attorney in the 6th Judicial Circuit in Pinellas County, Florida. She was later assigned to the Special Victim’s Unit, prosecuting child sex crimes and conducting Jimmy Ryce Civil Commitment hearings. Additionally, she led specialized training for law enforcement and others involved in child abuse investigations. Fugate then served as Assistant County Court Division Director supervising 20-30 county court prosecutors. In July 2021, she joined the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office as the Assistant General Counsel. Fugate graduated from the University of Florida and received her Juris Doctor from Stetson University College of Law. She is a member of the Florida Bar, Sarasota County Bar, the Florida Association of Police Attorneys, and the Florida Association of Women Lawyers.
Julie Herd is promoted to the position of General Counsel. Herd joined the Sarasota County Sheriff's Office as the Assistant General Counsel in January of 2019 and two years later was promoted to Senior Assistant General Counsel. Prior to joining the sheriff's office, Herd served as an Assistant State Attorney in the 6th Judicial Circuit, where she specialized in juvenile delinquency and gang prosecution. In addition, she was the State Attorney Representative on the Pinellas County Auto Theft Task Force and Habitual Offender Monitoring and Enforcement Team. Herd holds a bachelor’s degree in Political Science and East Asian Language and Literature, and her Juris Doctor with a concentration in International Law from Stetson University College of Law. She is an active member of the Florida Association of Police Attorneys, the Florida Bar, and the Sarasota County Bar.
“We could not ask for more highly-skilled or hardworking individuals to fill these significant positions within our agency,” remarked Sheriff Kurt A. Hoffman. “Our General Counsel’s Office is charged with navigating complex legal issues, reviewing contracts, policies, and procedures, and advising on state and federal law. Their work is challenging and important, and I am proud to have both on our team.”